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Smocks

V

Vince Welch

Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
107
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Location
Smithfield, KY
Website
www.vinceswoodnwonders.com
Hi all,
Thinking about whether I would benefit from using a woodturning smock? I have looked at the one Craft Supplies sells and the smock AAW carries. Who is using a smock? What type do you have and do you like it? Are they worth the money? Let me hear your thoughts? Thanks, Vince
 
Whether or not they are worth the money is a personal decision that you will need to make for yourself. If you don't mind filling your pockets and the collar of your shirt with shavings and dust then it is not necessary. After a few episodes of doing just that, I bought the AAW smock and now I get a lot less flack from the BOSS about dragging in all of those shavings. And, besides that, when wearing the AAW smock, I am recognized by my peers as a cool dude and world class turner (at least until I turn the lathe on).

Bill
 
I bought the AAW smock because got tired of getting shavings down my neck. I don't wear it much however because in the summer it's too hot. I really don't like clothes that come up around my neck like a turtle neck and the smock does that which irritates me. I do wear it a lot when roughing because I often have a faceshield on in this phase and I don't have to snug the neck up as tight.
I wish they had put a larger zipper in. This one gets caught in the nylon cloth too easily. There are times when I really enjoy wearing the thing. I do get tired of dumping shavings out of my shirt and having to empty the shirt pocket. This doesn't happen when I wear the smock.
 
I bought 2 smocks from Craft supply and i am a convert now, wear it all the time. It is just more comfortable not getting all those shavings down the neck.
also, the shavings really fall off the material. we'll see how it will be next summer, but so far I am liking my smock VERY much.

Sascha
 
Doesn't have the cachet of the real woodturners' item, but the standard barber's smock is tight at the neck and slick at shedding.
 
Craft Supplies has two versions of their smock- one of which is very lightweight and pretty breathable. They also have short sleeves, which is good for comfort on hot days.

Having said that, I primarily use the Lee Valley smock, which has long sleeves with elastic banding at the wrists. Also very lightweight with breathable fabric- and very comfortable.

HTH.
 
My "smock" is an old nylon windbreaker (un-lined). Sheds the shaving really well and doubles as a light jacket. But it does not keep chips from getting into my pants pockets.
 
You laugh but I have a friend who is a professional turner. During the summer months he wears a tank top, untucked so the shaving fall back out and turns barefooted so the shaving don't get in his shoes. Don't necessarily recommend that, I dropped a skew once and stuck in the top of my foot and I had on Tennis shoes.
 
Smocks, I have several. When I want to keep warm, in the winter, I'll wear the heavier Craft Supplies smock or the Robert Sorby smock. The cloth is thick (like denim).

In the summer I wear the AAW smock. I like the newer version (with the zipper) as opposed to the one with out the zipper. I found that I got shaving down my back by having to take the old version off over my head. If it really warm, I'll wear the smock without a shirt under.

However, to turn shirtless creates another hazzard for me. I would need to shave my chest hair so as not to get them caught in the spinning frenzy of wood!

Angelo
 
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I use the AAW smock all the time. It is a little bit warm but better that than wood chips everywhere. The smock also keeps the front of my shirt clean and is a great place to rub off extra clue or what ever. I may try the Lee Valley smock as I hear it a little bit more breathable.

Ron Wilson
 
Smock/Apron

I am a bit of a tight-wad and I always found something I didn't like about the Smocks being offered so I took this approach. Living in Texas I needed something cool so I chose an apron rather than a smock with sleeves. I needed a high collar, wrap around and tie securely in the front. It also needed to be long as I am 6' 4''. I took my thoughts and a sketch to the wife of one of our club members who is a seamstress. She chose a material that would shed shavings easily and added a pocket with a flap to keep out shavings. Velcro at the neck allows for a comfortable fit. I supplied an AAW logo patch for the breast pocket to complete the effect. She decided she could make them for a sale price of $20 each without the AAW patch. I have sold them to all our club members and sell several every time I do a demo. I have even sold a couple on the net.
 
I purchased one of the AAW smocks a few years ago. It was summer time and I thought it was too hot to wear the smock. A friend of mine took out the back of the smock and sewed a heavy nylon netting back in it's place. Now I wear the smock most of the time. I think AAW should offer a smock with a netting back for hot weather (but I have that problem already solved).
Hugh
 
I resisted buying and wearing a smock for years, but finally gave into "the one who must be obeyed" and bought the AAW smock. After giving it a try, I can't turn without it.
 
Turning Smock/Apron

This is for Bob Edwards:

Bob:

The modified apron you designed and are selling sounds interesting. Do you have a picture that you can post to this forum or have a website to which you can direct me?

Thanks
Peter Toch, Roanoke, VA
 
wife bought smock

My bought me a smock for Xmas last year. I think she was trying to tell me something. I love it though. It is light enough that I really prefer it in summer because when your hot and sweaty that when the chips really stick to everything.

Vernon
 
Apron

For those who asked for my apron, sorry for the late response but I was out of aprons and needed to contact the seamstress for more. She and her husband are building a new house and moving so it took me a while. She has 5 aprons that I can collect in the morning. They are just like the attached picture, no AAW patch but they do have a patch pocket with a flap to keep out the shavings. This batch is $20 plus shipping. Inside the US that should be about $5. So if you are interested let me know. No pressure here but I am doing a demo this Sat. and will offer them there. I will reserve one for you but I need to know before Sat. morning. So if you are interested let me know via email.
 
Bill Sullivan was selling a smock at the AAW Symposium this past summer that looked good. His Wife Patti makes them.

Here is a link to his homepage that I would assume has information about the smocks. I couldn't check because the site is blocked from work.

hometown.aol.com/puketarget/myhomepage

Joe
 
Joe Herrmann said:
Bill Sullivan was selling a smock at the AAW Symposium this past summer that looked good. His Wife Patti makes them.

Here is a link to his homepage that I would assume has information about the smocks. I couldn't check because the site is blocked from work.

hometown.aol.com/puketarget/myhomepage

Joe
Click to expand...
http://home.earthlink.net/~puketarget/ is the current site.

I know he does make them though, you can email him at PukeTarget@aol.com.
 
Apron

SORRY BOUT DAT! 😛 The picture didn't make it. Let's try again!!

Bob Edwards San Antonio
 

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Bob Edwards said:
I took my thoughts and a sketch to the wife of one of our club members who is a seamstress. She chose a material that would shed shavings easily and added a pocket with a flap to keep out shavings. Velcro at the neck allows for a comfortable fit. I supplied an AAW logo patch for the breast pocket to complete the effect. She decided she could make them for a sale price of $20 each without the AAW patch. I have sold them to all our club members and sell several every time I do a demo. I have even sold a couple on the net.
Click to expand...

I have manufactured my own smock too and have made several of various weight fabrics. I even have one made from a waterproof material for those times when I sling sap. I wear what is appropriate for the temperature in my shop on any particular day. My design is a waist length with ¾ sleeves. The entire back is open. You put it on much like a hospital gown except that it Velcro’s closed only at the back of the neck. The sides, under your arms, only wraps around about 6â€Â. It is tailored smooth; no wrinkles to catch chips. It works great without a shirt on those really hot days too. My wife did all the sewing and I have hinted that she (we) may be able to market these. But I’ve made no attempt to test the waters in this direction. The thing is, I’m a size medium-tall and its’ the only pattern we’ve created. Being a tailored design, we’d have to develop patterns for other sizes. This becomes somewhat of a chore.
 
I looked at buying a smock, even tried on a few at AAW Symposium a few years ago. Just didn't seem practical for me. I always wear t-shirts in my shop while working, including when turning. The necks keep out chips, no pockets (gave up smoking and also got contacts, no need for a pocket for glasses or cigs), never tuck it in so it keeps most chips out of pants and pockets. They are nice and cool for our long summers in Florida, and on cold days I wear long sleeve tee's made for hunters. When I get them too stained or dirty to wear they become great rags. I always wear shorts shop the so my biggest problem is keeping the chips out of my shoes. I constantly have a ring of splinters around my ankles where the socks stop. I have tried wearing long pants out there but would rather wear shorts and have the splinters.
 
Wear sandals without socks, then you can blow the splinters and dust off when you are done.

JimQ
 
smock

I don't like any of the wood turning smocks I have tried or seen. They are either too loose ( nightmares of getting it caught in the piece) or too thin. The AAW smock is in both catagories. I tore mine the first day. I found a welding smock at my welding supply company that is PERFECT. It is completly open in the back, fairly tight fitting without being uncomfortable and heavy material that will take plenty of abuse. Cost $30. Will post to my site before end of year.
 
I just got my Lee Valley smock. My AAW smock was ok, but hot and had short arms. Lee Valley smock fabric will be more breathable, (cooler), has side adjustments for fit, and long sleeves with knit wrist covers, pockets and high collar. Generally a great design.

Ron Wilson
 
lee valley smock

My wife got me one last christmas - I love it. use it whenever I am turning.
 
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