Im looking at buying my first shop apron. I noticed they are primarily made of either leather or waxed canvas. Is there an advantage to either type? Any first hand experience would be appreciated.
Never checked into shop aprons that closely. Leather, I would use for welding. Waxed, not ran across any, so can't figure what advantage waxed would have. Don't see why a plain denim shop apron wouldn't do, after all, all you want one for would be to keep sawdust off your clothes.
I have a light canvas/denim and a cheap suede... I like the cloth better...breathes, hangs better, cleans easier, dust comes right off with a shake in the driveway...
Canvas for most everything is fine, if you aren't expecting getting showered in sparks.
Leather does may have more cut resistance, but it weighs a lot more. If just for general protection and to keep cleaner, I would take Canvas hands down.
I use a 'fire cloth' shop coat from Duluth Trading, it may been waxed canvas when it started, but after many washings it's just canvas now.
Canvas for me. Weighs less, less sweaty. If I were a turner, it'd be leather for better protection. I prefer a very wide top piece to cover more of my clothing, and I'd like it to come up at least to my collar bone.
I recently experimented with making some waxed canvas shop aprons. What I discovered is that a waxed canvas apron would be great to wear when working with metal, or working with liquids, or maybe using just hand tools, but not so good with power tools. At least the waxed canvas I bought. The wood chips stick to the waxed canvas and it takes just a few minutes in the workshop for the apron to get covered with sawdust. It was disappointing.
I think personal taste will come into play. I have both and the leather is certainly stiffer/heavier but it also repels everything well. It will far outlast the cloth ones. I seldom wear the cloth ones. I have several and just didn't like them as much.
I have both cotton and leather. My leather one is from Highland Hardware (split cowhide) the pockets have covers over them - so they never fill with debris.
Whenever I'm teaching my shop guys how to do things - I wear my leather one - it holds several small tools nicely and securely.
I also have a heavy cotton apron but forget to wear it most times.Haven't been doing much lately since "clean up day" anyway but a few tools need attention/servicing so I'll be making sawdust soon as they are fixed . James.
Sounds like you are picking the waxed canvas. I use several denim aprons in the shop. They are primarily to keep glue and stain off my clothes. I have a turning smock that is a heavy material but it is hot in the summer but it keeps the shavings off me. I do not have a leather apron but if you are a carver the leather protects you better if you slip. Also leather works well for welders but I do not weld so I have no use for leather aprons. I also have a few cloth tie on aprons that are basically pockets that I use when nailing or screwing and need a good supply of screws/nails handy. So the real answer for which type is all the above.
I have a canvas welders apron that my wife wishes I would wear more often than I do but I have just never been able to get in the habit of wearing one.
For my wood shop activities, the pockets are more important than the specific fabric. I just checked my apron and found the following items: 4" square, 12' tape measure, eraser, chalk, flash light, extra pencil, and magic marker. Each person is different so your apron is very personalized.
I bought the nylon fabric apron made by Husky and I tried several times to wear it but I hated it, it was so stiff and not flexible at all, so I bought a Lee Valley canvas one and I love it. It is the perfect size, the pockets are great and in my opinion a key factor; it's comfortable. When something is uncomfortable we usually don't use it. I gave the Husky one to a student .
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