Denim Shop Apron Review

[mrhart]

Item number 555208:

Budget-priced blue denim Apron
protects your clothes and carries
your tools, too

[align=left]Full-length, 28˝ x 36˝ washable denim shop
apron. Navy blue with a red Shopsmith logo.[/align]
The big 15˝ x 6˝ covered pocket holds tools.

I aquired the ShopSmith Denim Shop Apron with a CL purchase, I did not special order this article of clothing. I have always been a fan of utilizing the convienience of a tool belt, as for 20 years I was in the field in the HVAC industry. The first flaw in this piece of equipment is the access strap is in the back. Really? I can hardly tie a bow knot in the front. I almost needed SWMBO to suit me up, but I though that might be embarrasing. Eventually I got the apron on and I was disappointed that it was not form fitting and as flattering to my physique as it is on the "model" in the on-line catalog. I think I speak for everyone when I say we all want to look good in denim. Once I forced myself to overlook that, I grabbed my basic tools and was uncomfortable with where to put my things. Nothing seemed to be handy or fit right or in the correct place or pocket. Nevertheless I threw on my ensamble with my accessories and started in finishing a project. Sure enough, my T-handle allen wrench fell out the first time I bent over to grab the cookie I had dropped on the floor, luckily I had studied the toxic wood chart and the sawdust was ok to consume, but a little dry, I almost went for the DC/cookie cleaner. Now I like to use a 12" flexable ruler and my adjustable square, and again these items don't seem to fit quite right anywhere in my custom SS apron. My square fell every time I reached down to my SS accessory shelf to grab another BBQ chip (they go well with poplar dust). I was starting to get a little paturbed so I took a break and sipped on my 44oz coke, which incidently does not taste like you think it would if you sprinkle cherry wood sawdust in it, you know, cherry coke. After my break I dug back in, never grabbing the right tool becasue they all slide around in the pockets or had fallen out. Frustrated with my organizational skills and disappointed, I then discovered that the pockets are perfect for Chips Ahoy cookies and they contain the crumbs sufficiently! Joy! About that time SWMBO came out to the garage to tell me to come in for dinner and she had the look on her face like she wanted to say something...but then, thank the Lord, my 14 year old daughter came out, looked me up and down and started chuckling, "dad you look ridiculous in that thing, you're a Shopsmith nerd". Oh the humiliation. Then they both busted out in laughter and start to go back in the house. SWMBO looks over her shoulder and says, "and it makes your butt look big" Oh, the roars of laughter........

I am now considering the apron upgrade to the model 521802:

[align=left]World’s Most Versatile Shop Apron[/align]
[align=left]This 100% fully washable cotton-canvas Shop
Apron is the most versatile apron available today.
Made in the USA, the slip-over design has fully
adjustable 1˝ wide nylon web shoulder straps,
and an adjustable (to 52˝ waist) 11/2˝ wide nylon
web belt with a quick release buckle.
This unique apron has 20 variable-sized
pockets from a pocket for your pencil to a huge
61/4˝ square, plus two rugged, 11/2˝ wide nylon
web tool loops.

Please give us here at the forum or at least myself your review of the upgraded apron vs. the standard denim nerd model.[/align]

[mgbbob]

Years ago I worked doing automotive machine work and wore an apron everyday. If I didn't I was black by the end of the day. I have always considered buying a couple for the shop. You have inspired me. Real men can be "shopsmith nerds".

Bob

[JPG]

Item number 555208:

Budget-priced blue denim Apron
protects your clothes and carries
your tools, too

[align=left]Full-length, 28[/align]

&#733]x 36˝ washable denim shop
apron. Navy blue with a red Shopsmith logo.

The big 15˝ x 6˝ covered pocket holds tools.

I aquired the ShopSmith Denim Shop Apron with a CL purchase, I did not special order this article of clothing. I have always been a fan of utilizing the convienience of a tool belt, as for 20 years I was in the field in the HVAC industry. The first flaw in this piece of equipment is the access strap is in the back. Really? I can hardly tie a bow knot in the front. I almost needed SWMBO to suit me up, but I though that might be embarrasing. Eventually I got the apron on and I was disappointed that it was not form fitting and as flattering to my physique as it is on the "model" in the on-line catalog. I think I speak for everyone when I say we all want to look good in denim. Once I forced myself to overlook that, I grabbed my basic tools and was uncomfortable with where to put my things. Nothing seemed to be handy or fit right or in the correct place or pocket. Nevertheless I threw on my ensamble with my accessories and started in finishing a project. Sure enough, my T-handle allen wrench fell out the first time I bent over to grab the cookie I had dropped on the floor, luckily I had studied the toxic wood chart and the sawdust was ok to consume, but a little dry, I almost went for the DC/cookie cleaner. Now I like to use a 12" flexable ruler and my adjustable square, and again these items don't seem to fit quite right anywhere in my custom SS apron. My square fell every time I reached down to my SS accessory shelf to grab another BBQ chip (they go well with poplar dust). I was starting to get a little paturbed so I took a break and sipped on my 44oz coke, which incidently does not taste like you think it would if you sprinkle cherry wood sawdust in it, you know, cherry coke. After my break I dug back in, never grabbing the right tool becasue they all slide around in the pockets or had fallen out. Frustrated with my organizational skills and disappointed, I then discovered that the pockets are perfect for Chips Ahoy cookies and they contain the crumbs sufficiently! Joy! About that time SWMBO came out to the garage to tell me to come in for dinner and she had the look on her face like she wanted to say something...but then, thank the Lord, my 14 year old daughter came out, looked me up and down and started chuckling, "dad you look ridiculous in that thing, you're a Shopsmith nerd". Oh the humiliation. Then they both busted out in laughter and start to go back in the house. SWMBO looks over her shoulder and says, "and it makes your butt look big" Oh, the roars of laughter........

I am now considering the apron upgrade to the model 521802:

[align=left]World’s Most Versatile[/align]

Shop Apron

[align=left]This 100% fully washable cotton-canvas Shop
Apron is the most versatile apron available today.
Made in the USA, the slip-over design has fully
adjustable 1[/align]

˝ wide nylon web shoulder straps,
and an adjustable (to 52˝ waist) 11/2˝ wide nylon
web belt with a quick release buckle.
This unique apron has 20 variable-sized
pockets from a pocket for your pencil to a huge
61/4˝ square, plus two rugged, 11/2˝ wide nylon
web tool loops.

Please give us here at the forum or at least myself your review of the upgraded apron vs. the standard denim nerd model.

I have never experienced any:rolleyes: of those things(well maybe the dropsy thing).

Since I attend a twice monthly meeting where tying of 'apron' strings behind one's back is practiced, I do not have that problem.

As for the pocket shape issue(s) I have for eons always not worn an apron, so my habits are for all those tools to be close at hand, not being worn.

However I have been known to stick a pencil in one of those pockets. A 5/32" occasionally(yer correct it ain't very handy), but never a square!!!

As for the butt thing, I never had that issue either(she never comes in the shop!:eek:).

Shhhhhhh! Do not let Ralph hear of the 'nerd' thing!




Lord help those who cannot laugh at themselves!

[joedw00]

I don't use mine much, but may have to rethink that and have some where to put my cookies Thanks.

[robinson46176]

The chocolate chip cookies go in that big tote-box over by the stairs so they don't get sawdust in them.
I have a number of aprons but none of the Shopsmith ones. I have them because I wore them in the shoe shop all of the time I was working on shoes. Saved a lot of unwanted splattered applications of adhesive, dyes and wax / ink. I even still have a shop apron or two from clear back in high school shop classes. I also wore those in shop classes at BSU.
I have been thinking about getting one or two of these tan shop coats. Enough pockets to weigh one's self down with enough tools to build a barn.
[ATTACH]16497[/ATTACH]

Like this one except with short sleeves. Safer and my shop is too warm for long sleeves all winter.


.

[mrhart]

The chocolate chip cookies go in that big tote-box over by the stairs so they don't get sawdust in them.
I have a number of aprons but none of the Shopsmith ones. I have them because I wore them in the shoe shop all of the time I was working on shoes. Saved a lot of unwanted splattered applications of adhesive, dyes and wax / ink. I even still have a shop apron or two from clear back in high school shop classes. I also wore those in shop classes at BSU.
I have been thinking about getting one or two of these tan shop coats. Enough pockets to weigh one's self down with enough tools to build a barn.
[ATTACH]16497[/ATTACH]

Like this one except with short sleeves. Safer and my shop is too warm for long sleeves all winter.


.

Sidetracked...BSU as in Boise State?

[fjimp]

Great discussion for a chuckle or two. I have and wear the white upgraded apron. I remember walking into a turning class in Harrisonburg Virginia and being teased for my good taste. Okay more likely for the name badge my wife embroidered on mine. I guess that was just too classy for those guys. I like the pockets and even with my pear shaped bod have never had trouble tying it. The only activity I frequently enjoy where that apron falls short is lathe turning. I purchased a turners jacket from Lee Valley for that purpose. I have been considering ordering a second white apron for my granddaughter. She clearly eyes mine when she is forced to wear one of the blue ones. Come to think of it, I have four of the blue ones hanging in the shop. No one likes to wear them. Jim

[robinson46176]

Sidetracked...BSU as in Boise State?

BSU as in Ball State, Muncie Indiana. I was only there a bit over a year. Made a big direction change... I made about 6 of those over the years.
I was a little disappointed in the woodshop and metal shop profs there because I had such good shop teachers in high school but I had a super guy for technical drawing. Of course back in those days we were drawing on rocks with burnt sticks.


.

[STB]

A Denim apron came with my SS. After watching most of the SS how to videos I made a gallant effort to ware it and put something in all the pockets but I failed. Then SWMBO noticed all my shirts were getting dirty & worn from the belt line to about 6 or 8 inch's up. Now I ware the SS apron all the time. I keep my cookies in a pringle tube to keep the sawdust out.

[mrhart]

Gentleman we need to step this up a bit. We need an apron or tool belt that says "BAM" we're working in the shop and proud of it. When somone peeks in the garage and sees sawdust and chips flyin everywhere, in the middle of it all, is the SSMan, he's got rulers, squares, pencils, wrenches, a battery drill holster, spare bud lights in an ammo belt accross his back and a sleeve of chips-a-hoy by his right hand. He's a breathtaking site with skills and accuracy far and above the neighbor guy we can't stand cause he makes dumb stuff. We can add the damn SS patch to it, probably have someones daughter-in-law make the whole thing. We'll band together and order hats and beanies with our logo. We need to throw down our nerd denim and take a stand here.
Who's with me??


maybe a tad much?.....