I am done with crap shop aprons. Who designs these things?
Mar 5, 2021 16:59:22 GMT -5
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Mar 5, 2021 16:59:22 GMT -5
I've had a few shop aprons over the many years I've done woodworking. Some are cheap, some are quite expensive, and not one of them has been practical for how I work. The commercially-available aprons always include huge pockets on the front that are perfect for collecting sawdust. Sometimes they have flap covers, but they're still useless to me because I never carry tools in my apron; that's what the workbench is for. Tools in pockets add weight to the shoulders via the shoulder straps and that gets old after about five minutes.
The top pocket, usually designed for pencils, etc., works only when a pencil is brand new. As soon as it loses about 2" of length, it disappears into the bottom of the pocket and you need a needle-nose plier to fish it out.
I was wearing a Carhartt apron last week and I got so disgusted I tossed it into the trash. The ideal apron for me is like one designed for use in the kitchen (no pockets), except for one pocket up top for pencils and a small machinist's rule. And longer than what's available. Nobody makes aprons for tall people.
So I figured if I'm smart enough to pour pee out of a boot, why can't I design a shop apron that actually works? Off I went to the Jo Ann Fabric store and picked up a few yards of 8-oz steel gray cotton duck, some 1.5" Nylon webbing, a few Faston buckles, and some polyester upholstery thread. Today I dusted off my clapped-out Singer and slapped together an apron. After some consideration, I decided on a two-level pocket; the back one is 6" high, and the front one is 3" high. They're one in front of the other:
I added vertical seams to make five pockets of each height. Short pencils will now be easily retrievable. Notice the amateur needlework!
\
The leather name tag helps prevent people from calling me "hey you" or "chief." I made little branding irons from steel coat hanger wire, heated them up with a propane torch, stamped the leather, and sewed it on.
This apron fits me perfectly, and no more frustration with what some anonymous maker thinks I need.
Okay, I'm off to go shout at the clouds
The top pocket, usually designed for pencils, etc., works only when a pencil is brand new. As soon as it loses about 2" of length, it disappears into the bottom of the pocket and you need a needle-nose plier to fish it out.
I was wearing a Carhartt apron last week and I got so disgusted I tossed it into the trash. The ideal apron for me is like one designed for use in the kitchen (no pockets), except for one pocket up top for pencils and a small machinist's rule. And longer than what's available. Nobody makes aprons for tall people.
So I figured if I'm smart enough to pour pee out of a boot, why can't I design a shop apron that actually works? Off I went to the Jo Ann Fabric store and picked up a few yards of 8-oz steel gray cotton duck, some 1.5" Nylon webbing, a few Faston buckles, and some polyester upholstery thread. Today I dusted off my clapped-out Singer and slapped together an apron. After some consideration, I decided on a two-level pocket; the back one is 6" high, and the front one is 3" high. They're one in front of the other:
I added vertical seams to make five pockets of each height. Short pencils will now be easily retrievable. Notice the amateur needlework!
\The leather name tag helps prevent people from calling me "hey you" or "chief." I made little branding irons from steel coat hanger wire, heated them up with a propane torch, stamped the leather, and sewed it on.
This apron fits me perfectly, and no more frustration with what some anonymous maker thinks I need.
Okay, I'm off to go shout at the clouds
The real utility of a shop apron for me is its ability to keep dust/crud/etc., off my clothing. Prevents me from tracking it into the house. Also the pencil-holding thing, because even though my ears don't stick out like Alfalfa's, I have never been able to put a pencil on my ear and have it stay there. I must've been born without that gene because most people I know can do it and it stays there. Not for me.
