Best Apron

[Mike Olson]

Who uses an Apron in the wood shop?

I know I should just change my cloths when i get home from work but with 2 small kids I get mugged when i walk in the front door. I'm able to do some work on weeknights but since I'm still wearing my business casual I have to be extra careful or else i'll snag something.

So, i'm looking into getting an Apron to keep in the shop. I know this is kinda trivial but who uses an apron and what do you think is the best one?

right now i'm leaning toward the Lee Valley Mk.II Canvas Apron.

[David Weaver]

I do, but just to keep my shirts from getting covered with dust, and so that I'm wearing something to wipe off wet irons when I pull them off the stones.

I use the cheapest thing I could find - a denim apron off of the big auction site for about $8 shipped. Not useful like the good heavy aprons with lots of pockets, but I don't like heavy stuff hanging on me and wouldn't wear those if they were full of tools.

[Andrew Gibson]

I have the leather apron from TFWW and it is great! the straps are an x across the back so they don't pull on your neck, there could be an extra pocket but I find I can keep my 6" ruler and a pencil in the pockets and they are very handy. I am actually wearing it in my Avatar pic.
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=toolshop&Product_Code=MS-LSHP&Category_Code=TY

For the price and comfort I don't think you can beat it, not to mention TFWW is a great company IMO. I have bought a bunch of stuff from them recently.

[David Keller NC]

I use the Lee Valley apron. I do like it because of the heavy gauge of the leather - it's not quite saddle leather, but it's considerably thicker than leather often found in casual men's shoes. It does add a margin of safety at the table saw and other machines that could kick back a piece of lumber. I won't protect against the crush injury one might receive from such an accident, but it will go a long way toward reducing the impalement factor.

[Jonathan McCullough]

I've got the Lee Valley leather apron too. Everyone should have one or one like it. I got mine to protect from flying debris from wire wheels. Those bits of stainless wire can go right through canvas pants and pelt your ****. Ouch. Aside from *that* safety aspect, there's also the errant chisel or marking knife accident. You may also pick up hand carving. Since I got one, I think it may be #2 after eye protection.

Forgot to mention--If I had to do it over again, I might get the one from Highland Woodworking because it's longer. Also, I'm not familiar with safety considerations for lathe work--presumably you want everything tidy and away from the spindle, and protect yourself as much as possible from lathe type accidents, so if you do that sort of work you'll want to take that into consideration.

[Larry Marshall]

I've used several aprons but have settled on the Lee Valley apron. I'm a bit confused by the dialog, however, as mine is heavy cloth, not leather.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=57647&cat=1,43413,45989&ap=1

I find leather aprons simply too heavy. This one is comfortable and doesn't get in the way.

Cheers --- Larry

[Mike Olson]

I wasn't really looking for Leather because of the weight, and i really really don't like things hanging directly on the back of my neck so the Lee-Valley leather apron is out for me.

The one from TFWW is interesting and it does rest on the shoulders. i'm going to have to think about it. I don't really care about lower pockets as i think they would get in the way, whatever i have in there would dig into my thighs every time i lean against the workbench to get another tool off the shelves behind.

I don't need protection as much as I need something to keep my cloths and pants from getting dirty, and to keep my shirts from snagging on stuff.

Decisions, decisions...

[paul cottingham]

+1 Lee Valley cloth apron. Not too heavy, but protective. The straps are very comfortable, too. I have a very large chest, and the apron is comfy and fits well.

[George Clark]

I use the one from Rockler. Cross straps and plenty of pockets.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10257

[Dave Cav]

Another vote for the Lee Valley canvas apron. I have been wearing one for about nine months now, five days a week and it's holding up reasonably well. I snagged the edge binding on something and pulled a couple inches of it loose, but otherwise no problems. The pockets are very well designed and don't collect sawdust. They ARE very large, though, and do tend to collect an enormous amount of odds and ends before you know it.

[Marco Cecala]

I got the Festool Apron, it came in a mini Systainer. Nice weight cotton.

[Kent Parker]

I'm a big fan of the lite weight canvas multi pocket one made by McGuire -Nichols. Straps go over your shoulders so they don't bother your neck.

I gotta have pockets so I use the 14 pocket bib type. I carry a 10' tape, small machinist square, drafting pencil and small sharpener. In the little pockets in front I have my "precision" measuring sticks for small work. 4" long sticks of hardwood that are 1/8"x 1/2", 1/4"x 1/2" and 3/8" x 1/2". great for set up or measurements.

The front is also great for wiping your hands of glue if you get a bit sloopy.....

http://www.midwesttechnology.com/search.asp?s=2Xfsmd181569&strKeywords=apron&strSearchCriteria=all&CAT_ID=0&numPriceMin=&numPriceMax=&btnSubmit=Search

Cheers,

Kent

[Andrew Gibson]

Not sure if it makes a difference Because I don't know if any makers post the weight of their aprons, but my TFWW apron weighs in at 1 lb 10 oz.

The reason I know that is because this afternoon I went out to the shop and noticed that I had my Fishing scale right next to my apron. I know the scale is relatively accurate because I weighted a package with it yesterday then when I brought it to the post office It was within a half oz.

Anyway the apron is quite comfortable and does not feel heavy when wearing it, but still feels well made and like it will yield a fair bit of protection.

[Chris Kennedy]

I have the Veritas cloth apron, and recommend it. I have the older version, and the Mk II, with its cross back straps, looks like an improvement. The problem is that I think it will take a long time to wear out before I can justify buying the new model.

Cheers,

Chris

[Larry Marshall]

I wasn't really looking for Leather because of the weight, and i really really don't like things hanging directly on the back of my neck so the Lee-Valley leather apron is out for me.

Mike, the LV canvas apron doesn't hang on your neck. Because of the criss-cross straps, it rests on your shoulders. It's one of the reasons I favor it.

Cheers --- Larry

[Will Brauneis]

I use the leather apron TFWW sells. Its a great apron i really like it. I fixed the lack of pockets problem by buying a cheep rawhide tool belt and having a tailor sew it on. Works great for holding all my measuring tools card scraper etc.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I like leather for a little extra protection. If you really want a bunch of protection, Woodcraft sells an apron specifically for turners. I like the high neck line. Anyone tried this one? ($100)
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2080032/24798/Pinnacle-Woodturner-s-Leather-Apron.aspx

The woodcraft shop apron looks OK. I like the pockets, but they may attract shavings and such. Anyone tried this one? ($80)
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2021132/24801/Pinnacle-Leather-Shop-Apron.aspx

Lie Nielsen has a shop apron. No pockets that I see, but it looks like there may be an extra protection set over the middle of the chest. Anyone tried this one? ($85)
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1253#

I like the price on this leather apron $25
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=toolshop&Product_Code=MS-LSHP&Category_Code=TY

The Lee Valley canvas apron also looks nice $35
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=57647&cat=1,43413,45989&ap=1

[Rob Fisher]

I have and very much like the shop apron from Duluth trading company. Its super tough material, not too heavy, and does not hang from the neck (one of my biggest concerns).

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/85021.aspx?feature=product_2

Rob

[paul cottingham]

The LV apron has straps that cross behind your back. Very comfortable.

[Rob Luter]

I use this leather version (not me in the photo):
http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/29960-01-500.jpg


I got it a Rockler affiliate for much less than Rockler's catalog price. It's really thick leather but hangs nice and light. The straps are very comfortable.

[Bill Geyer]

Another vote here for the McGuire-Nichols - it's light, and the price is right - I've been wearing one (actually many) for a lot of years..
Cheap to replace when they are covered with too much glue.

http://www.midwesttechnology.com/sea...nSubmit=Search

[Randal Stevenson]

A couple? years back, I had CW MCclellan make one for my father. He has made them for several here, and I am not sure if he still does.

Contact him here: http://sawmillcreek.org/member.php?u=16634

[Dennis McGarry]

I just started using one, and picked up this one up.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005820/17710/Woodcraft-22-Pocket-Apron.aspx

Its cheap but does the job nicely and plenty of room..

[Mike Olson]

Well, i thought i found one I was going to get but they are out of stock until 5/26. It's similar to the TFWW one but it's 6" longer and it's red.

http://www.gemplers.com/product/148009/Kinco-Heavy-duty-Leather-Shop-Apron

Now, can i wait that long or should i just get the LV canvas one...:rolleyes:

[Tony Shea]

I have the Deluth (spelling?) apron and like it pretty well. There are some things I would change, one of which has already been changed on the new version they sell. The apron is full of decent sized pockets down low which is almost a must for me. My problem with them is that they fill up with saw dust and are a pain to clean out. Well they seemed to have changed the pocket design and added mesh to the bottom of the pockets so sawdust falls through them, a great idea which I wish my apron had. The only other thing i'd change is the length. It only goes down to my waist line, a touch lower, and would like it to cover the tops of my thighs. Other than that I really enjoy the apron and wear the thing everyday. It has a cross strap design with a snap plastic prong latch. Pockets are key as I would never want to be without my tape measure and a smallish square, two tools I never want to spend time looking around for as I use them constantly. It also has a nice set of small pockets up top for pencils, card scraper, and a small notepad.

But if I had it to do over again I think I would go with the Lee Valley. Somewhat similar looking except for the lower pocket design. I like the design of Lee Valley's lower pockets as it looks as though sawdust wouldn't enter and stuff wouldn't fall out as I was leaning over. I actually still might get the LV to test out.

[Jake Rothermel]

+1 on the TFWW apron. It's fairly light-weight, comfortable and I second various people's mentions of wiping things like irons off and errant glue, etc. I totally don't mind the small (I'm tempted to call them useless) pockets. In fact, I think that was one of the draws for me. It's not bulky at all.

You know, it's funny (well, not funny-haha...) but when I'm working on a job, I NEED (repeat, NEED) a toolbelt. I'm always in a different spot, always moving from project to project, keeping everything I need on me at all times has become an obsession. I've agonized over the years, finding just the right balance of "Can Keep All My Needed Tools On Hand" and "So Heavy My Pants Fall Down." Not to mention keeping all of MY tools at my side so they stay MY tools...

But when I'm home and in my shop, I don't wander around much. I mean, it's a small shop. But everything's got a pretty good little home, albeit maybe only a tiny shelf or a nail on the wall (I'm working on a design for that second of woodworker's hallmarks, the tool cabinet, I swear...). It gets to be that I don't WANT to keep anything on me when I'm working at home. Maybe it's an adverse reaction to the toolbelt phenomenon. I keep most of the things I'm working with on the bench near me. If I need more space, it's a good excuse to clean up. I'm a hobbyist woodworker, with only a few projects under my belt, but I've not had many complaints with this "system."

Still, I like that apron.

[Mike Olson]

OK, i went with the cheaper bought on site apron from the Rockler store near me. It's generic denim and it's very light which is nice. After just an hours use I already got some chips in the lower pockets which i kinda figured.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10257&pn=53748

The store had it for 21.99 and I had a 15% off coupon. Extending the shoulder straps to their max is a pretty good length for me. That was one of my concerns as i'm 6' 4"

[john benedito]

iuse an leather apron form Highland Hardware. I like it alot plenty of pockets. The last time I was on their site it was 49.99 great price and quality

[Rick Erickson]

I use this one. It's more of a jacket than an apron but it works and it is a whole lot easier to put on.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Catalog/ProductPage.aspx?prodid=23882&ss=9fadd822-1109-4a09-9b6e-35ecb962df79

[Johnny Kleso]

I have used cloth aprons most of my life and bought a one of leather a few years ago and like the cloth for being light weight and cleanable..

Cheap aprons fron HF work well for me but I need to replace the straps..
You cant beat the back X strap design and the HF aprons have the neck loop..

Buy a grommets set from HF when you buy the aprons you might spend $20 for 3-4 aprons with shipping.. With more than one you can always have a clean apron to wear..

What works well for straps is plactic tubing like you use with a fish tank or smaller diameter..

Short and long shop coats like doctors wear are also great depending on season..

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_1899.jpg
$2.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_196.jpg
$3.99

[Bob Smalser]

The best aprons are designed and made by the user.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/4921404/267739657.jpg

[Dan Barr]

I have the Blue Tormek apron. I think it suits all my needs just fine.

Link to picture:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/showimage.asp?pricing=INC&pf_id=782616&image=images/products/images/products/475204_xl.jpg&title=Tormek+AN%2D04+Cabinet+Maker%27s+Apron&cid=OUP0HDGKLFX124ERAUMIGTZGIWQVYABI

http://www.tormekshop.com.au/images/an_04%202.jpg (http://www.tormekshop.com.au/images/an_04%202.jpg)

dan