Woodturning Smocks

[DOCworks]

A different option

I get mine from Lovell workwear out of england. Bit much, but I've been very happy with the quality, fit and design. I have the 100 percent cotton (winter) and their light weight one, for the hot weather here in FL. http://www.lovellworkwear.com/index.htm

Bill

 

[Charles Henderson]

I have the Lee Valley smock, and I've been pretty happy with it though I haven't used another to compare it too. My only complaints are the cuffs on the end of the sleeve. They are like velcro to shavings, and you literally have to pick each shaving off of it. Not even a 160psi air blast will knock 'em off. I solved that issue by just cutting the sleeves down to make it a short sleeve smock. Now, it's cooler as well, but that's relative when it's 100+ outside.

 

[Odie]

If some enterprising outfit simply made something that covered the neck and tops of the shoulders, something that was easy on, easy off.....I'll bet they'd sell a lot of them.

If this were an option, then the user could use whatever shirt, with or without sleeves and pockets, that suited them.

ooc

I stopped by Goodwill Friday, and bought another pull-over half zipper shirt. This is like the rest that I have used, where the zipper zips up all the way up to the tips of the collar, and seals the neck.

I took my own idea and cut off the sleeves and everything below the zipper, or below about mid-chest level. This sort of looks like the half-cape sort of thing that was once a popular male garment about 150 years ago.

Used it last night, works well. My intent was to use this over some kind of regular work shirt or sweat shirt......just something that seals the neck, and covers the shoulders.

Even though this was once a pull-over shirt, in this configuration, it isn't much more inconvenient than putting on a hat. I can use this!:cool2:

As luck would have it, while at Goodwill, I found another one that completely zipped up the front......viola.......exactly what I wanted! These seem to be rare in this style that zips up and seals the neck. This full length zipper will allow much more convienence than the pull-over versions.....greater ease of putting on and taking off.

Price for these at Goodwill are $3.50 and $4.00 with a 10 percent senior citizen discount......can't beat that with a stick! 😀

ooc

 

[Thomas Stegall]

Turning Smock

I prefer my own design. It is made from leather which covers the front of body, shoulders, and front of upper arms with elastic bands crossing in back to naturally fit any body size/shape. No chance of sleeves getting wrapped up. It repels dust better than any other material and provides great protection from any sharp edged pieces flying off in the event of a catch etc. My heavier/thicker leather versions provide added protection and warmth, lighter ones are nice in summer because the back is completely open for ventilation. One of the professional demonstrators visited our club recently and asked for one, so I will have a few at the symposium if you want a look.

 

[ray hampton]

I prefer my own design. It is made from leather which covers the front of body, shoulders, and front of upper arms with elastic bands crossing in back to naturally fit any body size/shape. No chance of sleeves getting wrapped up. It repels dust better than any other material and provides great protection from any sharp edged pieces flying off in the event of a catch etc. My heavier/thicker leather versions provide added protection and warmth, lighter ones are nice in summer because the back is completely open for ventilation. One of the professional demonstrators visited our club recently and asked for one, so I will have a few at the symposium if you want a look.

are your apron different than a welding apron ?

 

[Thomas Stegall]

Turning Smock

Yes, they are very flexible and more comfortable to wear, I use a different type of leather. The only leather I use is for high end custom furniture. So it is soft, and smooth and does not retain any dust as a result. Fitting happens with a two inch wide elastic "X" connecting right shoulder to left hip and left shoulder to right hip in the back. Covered pockets are also included at belt level in front. While wearing a full face shield I suppose the heavier smock does bear some resemblance to a welding apron, but a very different type of leather.

I originally designed it for myself to prevent getting covered in shavings/woodchips/sanding dust. But I didn't want something that would fit poorly depending on what I was wearing underneath like the traditional buttoned shirt style turning smocks. At the time, I was turning in a basement that got extremely cold in winter, so I wore layers underneath. So I designed it to fit comfortably no matter what I was wearing and the design transferred to different sized and shaped people as a result.

We also make a leather travel bag specifically designed for carrying turning tools without damage to the tips. Both are 100 percent leather. Out of respect for the forum "non-commerical" rules, e-mail me if you have an interest.

naturewhirled@gmail.com

Thomas Stegall

 

[Bill Boehme]

The AAW is sharing their resource for those great woodturning smocks they sell on this website. See the President's forum for details on buying these smocks for your woodturning club.
Thanks to AAW for sharing this great information.

I also like it. I have compared it to some of the others and like the lightweight and ventilated design of the AAW smock. I have talked to some other turners who were only familiar with the older more heavyweight design AAW smock and didn't know that they had been improved in recent years. Anyway everybody has their own preferences. The only thing that I do not like about the AAW smock that I have is that the inside flap next to the zipper is just long enough to get pinched in the zipper -- once that happens, some naughty words can be heard while I try to get the zipper going again.

I really did not like the AAW smock one bit, especially the short sleeves. I purchased the traditional British smock with velcro sleeves and collar. It's warmer and keeps me clean. I was fully of shavings with the AAW smock.

Warm is definitely NOT something that I would be looking for in a smock. 😱
Right now, the temperature is approaching 100 °F and also not too far from 100% RH. I might be tempted to adopted the old hippie's attire for turning.

 

[Jerry Rhoads]

Craft Supplies now has a different smock than the Lovell.
Made in the USA(which I like), zipper cover is nice, I don't like the neck as well as the Lovell. Only available in one weight. I't does shed shavings nicely.
Has Craft Supplies plastered all over it, which is nice when I demonstrate at meetings(They do soooo much for woodturning). But I must pull out an old smock when I demo at other stores.

Overall, I do not like it as much as the Lovell (short sleeve) smocks.
Will check out the new one that the AAW is selling.

Jerry

 

[davidwalser]

Craft Supplies now has a different smock than the Lovell.
Made in the USA(which I like), zipper cover is nice, I don't like the neck as well as the Lovell. Only available in one weight. I't does shed shavings nicely.
Has Craft Supplies plastered all over it, which is nice when I demonstrate at meetings(They do soooo much for woodturning). But I must pull out an old smock when I demo at other stores.

Overall, I do not like it as much as the Lovell (short sleeve) smocks.
Will check out the new one that the AAW is selling.

Jerry

Jerry,

Thanks for your review of CSUSA's new smock. One correction: Their website says the smock is available in two different fabrics -- a tan colored fabric (which is, I suppose, a "regular weight") cotton/poly and a camo patterned "ultra light-weight" breathable nylon.

 

[Ruth Niles]

Wow, long thread and lots of good opinions.

I wear a t-shirt backwards, the collar comes high on the throat, no chips get in and the shirt fits perfect, obviously. Long sleeve t's or sweatshirt in the winter. No pockets to fill up and......here's the nice part......if you want to look "clean" if someone comes, quickly turn it around and don't let them see the back! 😀

Ruth

 

[DOCworks]

Ok I finally have found the best solution for what we woodturners need! Check this out...I can't believe it, but this is a real product and might really work. http://www.slobstopper.com/products-page/
Slobstopper for those who can't keep the lid on their coffee...maybe McDonald's should offer them for sale. XD

 

[Thomas Stegall]

Apron/Smock

Well I don't sell a lot of them, but fitting well regardless of clothes underneath is exactly what I had in mine when I designed mine. I was turning in an old basement at the time and it would be only slightly warmer than outside during Chicago winters. So I designed it to fit no matter what I was wearing under it.

 

[hughie]

Breathable nylon" seems oxymoronic to me. Perhaps years in nomex has conditioned me to think all synthetics are hot in summer and cold in winter.

lol 🙂 yeah me too

Not that I wear a smock, but if I did, it would have sleeves up above the elbows

like wise, its warm down under, have more need of an aircon than anything else. Often turn in the summer just in a pair of shorts.

 

[Odie]

Just thought I'd show you all this cut off shirt with the zip-up neck that was only a couple bucks at Goodwill.

I've been using this for a few weeks now, and it has been most excellent for use during summer months. It keeps the shavings off your shoulders, and back very well, and seals around the neck......below that is easily removed with a shot of air. I have a couple more of these shirts that haven't been cut down that I've been using for several years, and they are good for colder weather.

Be sure to cut the sleeves horizontally at chest level.....and not along the shoulder seam. The intent is something like a short poncho that covers 360o degrees. T-shirt is kept outside of the pants, so that shavings can't get in there.

This is an idea that works so well, that I now wish I'd thought of this years ago! :cool2:

Later......

ooc