Shopsmith Forums

I have a few aprons both SS and Rockler. The Rockler is a dark denim that has the cross your back shoulder straps so it doesn't leave you with an irritated neck after wearing it for several hours. I wish SS would go with a darker denim cross your back apron.

BTW for turning I use a short sleeved Turners smock, as I was taught that when working with machinery you shouldn't wear long sleeves. An apron just wont keep the chips from going down your neck and into your pockets.

James,

I've been looking for a short sleeved turners smock. Do you remember where you found it?

Craft Supply has them http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/ they are a very large supplier of turning tools and supplies.

My wife, Mary Jane, teases me continously about loosing things in pockets, and with good reason. I consider that the invention of the pocket was one of the most important milestones in the development of civilization, right up there with fire, the wheel, and peanut butter. Looking for something that may have been lost in one of my pockets is an expedition of the same order of magnitude as Stanley looking for Livingston. There are acres of cotton to be canvassed -- shop aprons, welding aprons, photographers vests, fishing vests, flight suits, and pair of pants I once bought from the Bananna Republic that has pockets up and down the legs.

By the same token, however, there are times when having a plethora of pockets precipitates a pleasant providence. (Say that 5 times quickly.) This weekend, I was demonstrating the Ringmaster during a Sawdust Session. I performed a daring feat in which I could only use one of the opposing cutters at a time and sat the unused cutter on the front surface of the Ringmaster mount. When the East Coast Sawdust Session was over and done with, we couldn't find it. Thinking that the cutter had vibrated off and dropped to the floor, we serached under every tool and cabinet. With the West Coast Session fast approaching, I felt the panic rise -- I had no backup cutter! Then Mary Jane said those three magic words, "Search your pockets." Sure enough, it was in the front pocket of my Shopsmith apron.

Perhaps it matters little what apron or vest we pick. What we really need is a tatoo on the back of our eyelids that says, "Search your pockets."

With all good wishes,

I also use the Bucket Boss brand with the shoulder straps and like it a lot. I purchased it at Rockler. I like the looks of the Shopsmith offering and would order one next time I need one. Another offering from "Lee Valley .com" is an apron that has pockets with a side opening to keep out sawdust. Interesting idea but short on the number of pockets.

If you're looking for a tool vest, you might want to check out this offering from Woodcraft: http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?fa ... tails#tabs

I used to wear a tool belt like Norm for many years while I was in construction. Now I wear either the one from rockler http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page ... lter=apron
or the one I picked up at home depot several years ago when my leather tool belt got a hole in it http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100246132 not quite the same but similar mines white. I also have but have never used the shopsmith http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... hapron.htm

Hi Randy,

As promised, here is my report on my new apron. It arrived today and I have not used it, but I tried it on and the first thing I notice is it does not pull on the back of my neck. The second thing that I noticed is the lay-out of the pockets. I like that there are lots of pockets, but you can only use so many of the deep narrow ones. What I mean to say is I probably won't be using all of the pockets. The pockets that aren't narrow are nice and there are plenty of them too. Overall, I think that I will like this apron and I will try to get in the habbit of wearing it. There is one thing that I really do not like about it: It is made in China:mad: .

Tim,

Have you tried it in the shop yet?

From the sawdust sessions when you see the back Nick, the image is not close enough for my eyes to see if the straps are attached with clips or permanently crossed.

On the denim apron there is a slim pocket on the left and right side perfect hight and back far enough for the allan wrench, does this have slip pockets in the same location?

Hi Randy,

Have you tried it in the shop yet?

Unfortunately for me:rolleyes: , SWMBO confiscated it for a future gift. My birthday is in April, and I will be able to use it after that.

From the sawdust sessions when you see the back Nick, the image is not close enough for my eyes to see if the straps are attached with clips or permanently crossed.

The straps are fully adjustable, and that includes the ability to remove the ends completely and rethread them so they do not cross, if that is what you want.

On the denim apron there is a slim pocket on the left and right side perfect hight and back far enough for the allan wrench, does this have slip pockets in the same location?

I do not have the denim apron, so I can not compare the height of the pockets; however, for me, the height of the pocket will work well. The height is also adjustable by loosening or tightening the straps. As far as the slim pocket locations go, there are several on each side of the apron, back on the hips, that will accommodate the allen wrench nicely. The pockets are laid out in a double row, i.e., one row is sewed on (mostly narrow pockets) with a second row sewed on (mosly wider pockets) over the top of the first row.

I hope this helps:)