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Thread: Making a workshop apron
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15th Oct 2019, 07:39 PM #1
Making a workshop apron
I have seen the light.
I used to think aprons were things for sexy housemaids and the CWA (in my experience, mutually exclusive).
But as I go on, found they do in fact have a use around the home workshop and where permitted, work.
Mostly I do metal fab- cutting welding grinding etc. Not a machinist.
I have had a small hide of average quality black leather laying around for some time, and my current store bought chrome leather apron is getting a bit long in the tooth. Either the leather is shrinking, or I'm getting bigger in some dimensions so a new one has been cut from the hide to accommodate.
Anyone else made one?
What features can I put on it, and what have you found to be useful / a hinderance?
I think a pocket on the front might be useful for things like a tape, those mig pliers that always go AWOL, and a small rule / scribe / marker, but I also know it will be filled with spatter and grinding swarf in half a shift. Not sure of pocket height- above elbows, or lower like them wood beater's nail bags (as risk of copping the momentum in the nads, mind you).
Thoughts and opinions below- OKGo.
The apron- modelled off a generic metalwork welders apron
IMG_0616.jpg
Punched some eyelets in it with a wad punch and a few grommets I had left over from a canvas tarp repair (kit from camping shop).
IMG_0617.jpg
IMG_0618.jpg
I have a mate with an upholestory machine that can do some stitches for me, but I'll probably rivet anything else on there if I can.
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15th Oct 2019, 08:18 PM #2
I'm watching with interest, I know it's a old school thing these days to wear an apron, but I have been really thinking about it lately in my home machine shop.
Keep my clothes cleaner, loaded with what I need when I put it on each time.Using Tapatalk
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15th Oct 2019, 08:43 PM #3
Hi Guys,
I bought a welders apron from Banggood a while back. Very nice soft grey leather. My wife put a small pocket inside just above the tie string. Ideal for my spectacles and maybe a pencil.Best Regards:
Baron J.
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15th Oct 2019, 08:59 PM #4
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15th Oct 2019, 09:07 PM #5Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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I have two aprons. The first one had limited upper chest and under arm area protection so angle grinders would sometimes set my shirts on fire in these areas so I had one custom made by Macca’s leather products. It also comes to below my knees so it’s quite effective against welding spatter.
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15th Oct 2019, 09:29 PM #6Mechanical Butcher
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I like apron strings that are long enough that I can do them up at the front.
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15th Oct 2019, 10:02 PM #7
I was going to rivet on some webbing or something, and put a clip buckle on it, but just going to knot and tie. Buckles break, rope can be re-tied, and can be as long as needed.
Got a pic Bob?
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15th Oct 2019, 11:09 PM #8Most Valued Member
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Mine is just a spilt leather welders apron. I use it for both welding and machining.
I know it's convenient to bring the ties around the front, but I'm not keen on having dangly bits it front when welding/grinding/machining.
Mine just has a plastic clip together buckle.
Steve
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16th Oct 2019, 08:42 AM #9Most Valued Member
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I use a plain cheap hide welders apron from BOC Gases. Works great as it protects your clothes from dirt/steel bits/burns etc when grinding, buffing, welding, turning.
The main issue is that they are not too heavy, as having a neck strap as well as a waist strap, they will give you a back ache (well they do to me) if worn all day.
So keep it simple.
The side fastening belt buckle is a bit awkward, but I haven't seen one on the front. Make sure the strap is long enough for a big gut
Wearing one is a good idea with all the polyester we wear these days and what hot chips does to them.
Cheers RobThe worst that can happen is you will fail.
But at least you tried.
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16th Oct 2019, 11:23 AM #10Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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Here are the two aprons.
They don't look that different but the black one one is bigger overall than the grey/tan one
The tan one is a stock Makka's apron.
I mainly use this one for woodworking - I rarely use the pocket as I wear workshirts with breast pockets.
Apron1.JPG Apron2.JPG
The black one is the custom made one by Macca
It's ~75 mm wider and about ~200 mm longer than the tan one.
The leather is also slightly thicker but it still cost the same as a stock apron - at the time I bought a couple of leather tool rolls etc so I think he did me a deal.
I see on his website he no longer sells aprons.
The extra width is handy because I've grown since I bought it and as you can see I wear it higher so it covers the top of my chest. When I put a welding mask or full face shield on the mask/shield comes down below the top of the apron. I could hitch the tan apron up as high as the black one but then it would not cover my knees. This is important for me as I often weld small stuff while sitting down and my knees are usually right under the falling sparks and slag.
BTW while machining etc, if I do wear an apron I prefer to wear a black cotton BBQ apron. I have a few such aprons my family have given me over the years that I have never worn while BBQing.
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16th Oct 2019, 02:02 PM #11Golden Member
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We just had a leather apron made for our son who is an aspiring blacksmith. He's been using a cheap $20 split hide one from ebay which has done the job fairly well but now that he's getting more serious we decided a nice one would make a good Christmas present.
Charlie's Apron 01a.jpg Charlie's Apron 01b.jpg
I was going to try making one but the missus pointed out my existing project list and we opted to get this one made by a bloke called Rob Wallis in SA. The workmanship is outstanding and the cross over harness makes this very comfortable as there is no weight on your neck.
After Chrissy I will probably add a harness like this to the boys current apron and use it myself.
Cheers,
Greg.
Charlie's Apron 01d.jpg
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16th Oct 2019, 02:14 PM #12Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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That Wallis apron looks good and I particularly like the back straps.
Strap designs are often overlooked and can be important
Aprons that have two separate straps, one around the waist and one around the neck are OK for a lightweight cotton apron but not so good for anything with a bit of weight.
Aprons that have straps like the Wallis, or a connecting strap between the neck strap, and the back of the waist strap are better, as they take the weight off the back of the neck.
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16th Oct 2019, 06:25 PM #13
Wallis straps look good.
I like the little pocket- enough for a marker or chalk.
I usually wear cargo shorts or pants with enough pockets for 'stuff' but with an apron in the way, it can be a bit of a hinderance sometimes.
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17th Oct 2019, 08:22 AM #14Member
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- Somerset, UK
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Put flaps over the pockets - stops them getting filled with chips, swarf etc.
IMGP6035.jpg
Looks like I need to make anew one.................
MarkWhat you say & what people hear are not always the same thing.
http://www.remark.me.uk/
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19th Oct 2019, 08:23 AM #15Golden Member
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A visiting mother in law made some for me. Not leather. Just the thickest demin that spotlight had. Nothing fancy at all - no pockets etc, it has a neck strap and a waist strap to tie at the back.
Made to just above knee height. I really like them.
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