781 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I converted a $2.50 thrift store suede leather jacket into an apron. There is leather left over and looking for suggestion on pockets or don't I need any. In the past haven't worn apron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I pocket can be handy to hold a 12" ruler and scribe or pencil, but that's about it for me. Anything in a pocket is soon to be joined with tons of scale and dust, unless you put the pocket on the inside of the apron..... and then you might as well just use your pants pockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinobi Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 put it towards the middle of your chest IMO, down at hip level puts it much closer to the path of flying scale. the utility of the pocket depends on what you tend to do, how you do it, and how frequently it is done, to be perfectly vague. its a handy place to keep a chunk of soapstone, a centerpunch, some kind of ruler, pencils/pens, or a little skewer to use as a substitute finger for pointing at hot metal :) if you find that you don't use any of those with any great frequency (or any other small items) then it might not be worth the effort. I think even if you don't have a use for it in mind right now, the presence of a pocket will lend itself to figuring something out eventually. also, just about everything mentioned in that list can either be retrofitted with or can be bought with some kind of clip so it can be clipped to a shirt/belt/whatever. edit: actually, if its cannibalized from a jacket does it even cover your up to your chest or is it just from the belt down? you could make a pouch that hangs off the side or back in that case, or just include a little flap to cover the opening and protect from debris finding its way inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
781 Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 thanks for the replies. I cut and sewed together so it is nipple line to knees or a little longer. The most expensive part was the elasticharness I bought at menards. With -40 windchill I had to do something inside today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Some like a chaps type apron. Just a thought for the second apron (grin) Old leather couch or chair has lots of leather that can be used. Avoid nauga hydes as they do not make good aprons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I have a Moose Hide bib style long apron, is very supple, but heavy. I shot the moose, tanned it's hide, a friend made the apron. I also helped eat the moose. I prefer a denim apron, easy to wash, not heavy. I use the backs of the legs of worn out knees, Jeans. Simple!! Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 My simplest apron was a wrap around leather miniskirt from the late 1960's Didn't get too many disparaging comments as I stood there using a sledge with a cut down handle one handed...except from other blacksmiths---they gave me a sound ribbing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 ooo there is a bad mental picture, I am sure to have nightmares now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I've been told I was the stuff that Dreams were made from, thanks for the clarification on what type of dreams! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan C Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 that's gotta be the first time on IFI that no one is going to ask for pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 < Shudder > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Glenn there is a perhaps devastating decline in numbers of naugas,,,best to leave them be... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admanfrd Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Nightmare fuel to say the least. Although, strangely, i want pictures.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I try not to post possible blackmail material on the internet; someday my grandkids will be on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admanfrd Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 although that's true, some sick, twisted part of me wants it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 There are promising new treatments for that---now get off the internet and go buy an anvil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Geez, TP, warn a guy before putting a statement like that out there! Now I'm going to have to sleep with the light on. :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Greetings, Thomas has made me jealous... Now I am going to have to go hang out at the local gent club and see if I can talk one of the ladies out of their costume. The truth... I have a full apron with chaps.. It has so much coal dust , oil, grime ,grit, Its like an old friend I have had it for years,,, By the way pockets stink, All your stuff falls out every time you bend down.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Thomas, I don't think it was the skirt that earned the ribbing, but the fishnet stockings and 4" pumps... :D I'm gonna keep my eyes open for any old leather jackets or couches. As big as I am, it might take a whole sectional.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Memo to self: avoid NW SC as evidently the blacksmiths dress *funny* thereabouts; everybody knows you wear boots around a forge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Boots??? For Ear Rings????? :) :) :) Isn't Imagination a FINE THING!!! Don't need no stinkin' picture. The mind can see through it all!! Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 When I first opened this thread I was interested, now I'm trying to figure out how to poke my mind's eye out! I had a leather apron made in the early 90's from collar to below the knees. It's a very nice apron and has taken the blow from a disintegrating 9" grinding disk right on my sternum without causing a bruise. Great apron but I haven't worn it in I don't know how long. I just don't do things that really require it, I've even lowered the amount of flux in my welds to the point it doesn't splatter. Oh yeah, I wear it at demos, the audience expects a "real" blacksmith to wear an apron so I take it off the hanger. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Remember too that the "traditional" blacksmith was working real wrought iron which can splatter a bit even when not being welded---especially in the lower grades---and also used a lot more forge welding than we tend to do with modern steels. Oh I'm a blacksmith and I'm OK I sleep all night and I work all day..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 The chest pocket on the welders apron I sometimes wear is very useful for slim things, soapstone, sharpie, 6 inch metal ruler. Always thought a patch pocket, like on a sweatshirt, would be useful about waist level, opening pointed backwards, away from flying scale. Have to try that sometime I did cut a slit up the front, like chaps, not a skirt! . Makes it easier to hold tongs and long bar stock between my legs as a third hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Remember too that the "traditional" blacksmith was working real wrought iron which can splatter a bit even when not being welded---especially in the lower grades---and also used a lot more forge welding than we tend to do with modern steels. Oh I'm a blacksmith and I'm OK I sleep all night and I work all day..... Absolutely, I have a good apron and use it where necessary but I almost never get wrought iron to play with. <sigh> Oh he's a blacksmith and he's okay he sleeps all night and he works all day. He draws down iron, he eats his lunch and he wears a mini skirt! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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