Leather apron

[Gavin Newman]

Slightly off-topic but this seemed like the best sub-forum to post this in:

I have this habit of burning though my overalls when getting enthusiastic with the grinders despite my best efforts at being careful.
This does not go down at all well with the better half, I end up with overalls that are more patches than material and there's the not inconsiderable risk of setting fire to parts of the body that are best left untouched - if you get my drift.

I've tried the thin welder's aprons sold by BOC but they don't seem to be effective so I thought that a wider, longer, thicker leather apron, as used by blacksmiths, would be the solution but I'm having trouble finding anyone that sells them in SA or Victoria. Lots of them available from overseas but the postage is a killer, plus I'd like to see what I'm buying before I pay out.

Any ideas???

[DSEL74]

I made my own blacksmith apron because I had the same issue.


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[BottleBolt]

I grabbed one of the Carbatec leather aprons during a sale for using a wire brush on an angle grinder and have also found it ok for welding. Would have liked something a little longer but it is cheap compared to the farrier ones I had been looking at.
https://www.carbatec.com.au/health-safety-and-workwear/aprons-jackets-and-gloves/leather-apron-ar-2943

[Leighg]

Hi Gavin, Bought mine at Bunnings, not a bad size, $18 I think, also sick of burnt clothes. Leigh

[KBs PensNmore]

A friend of mine uses an old wool electric blanket, cut to the shape of the apron, his wife gets them from the Op Shop. Can get more details if required.
Kryn

[Grahame Collins]

Bob the Welder has the heavy black grain aprons

https://www.bobthewelder.com.au/Grain-Leather-Bib-Style-Apron.html

Grahame

[BobL]

I got mine custom (larger waist for fat guts like me and longer back straps) made by Makka leather gear
https://maka.com.au/products.php?cat=9

I told him it was for welding/smith work so it's about twice a thick as his regular WW aprons.
Really well made and well worth the $75 I paid - that was back in 2011.

369067

[Anorak Bob]

Same colour as Bob's but a bit cheaper at $60.70 delivered to my front door via Blackwoods Expresss. It's a Lincoln Redline apron - https://www.blackwoods.com.au/part/02992824/apron-welding-all-leather-hd-redline

The straps are cotton. I thought they might have been made from something more robust but no. The apron is comfortable to wear and I wear it to prevent me wiping oily hands on my clothes.

BT

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0180/0799/products/lincolnapron.jpg?v=1486355633

[Gavin Newman]

Thanks for all the feedback.
I ended up getting the Elliott AA004 apron mentioned by Grahame Collins but from a mob called Tec-Weld in WA for $77.
No more smoking overalls, the wife is happy and the danger to the "gentleman's downstairs entertaining area", to quote James May, is considerably diminished.

[jack620]

I wear it to prevent me wiping oily hands on my clothes.

Have you tried these Bob? They might affect the accuracy of your work though.

[Anorak Bob]

Have you tried these Bob? They might affect the accuracy of your work though.

Not yet Chris. Can you get them in other colours? :D