Recommendations for carpentry clothing/accessories

[ear3]

Been thinking about getting some gear to keep my clothes protected in the shop.  Basically all of my pants and t-shirts have glue and finish stains and other abrasions, and while I don't personally care, my wife keeps reminding me of the need for greater professionalism in my self-presentation.

I like the idea of a leather apron, but I want to have enough pockets/fittings on it so that it's more than just a protective layer, but actually functional to hold a variety of stuff.  I've looked at tool belts as well since I occasionally do site work, but as the majority of my time is in my shop, I probably wouldn't get enough use out of it to make it worthwhile.

There are a million different options out there, but many of them look like cheap chop suey models -- I would like if possible to go with a smaller, quality crafstman.

 

[peter halle]

[member=37411]ear3[/member] ,  if you are looking for leather then maybe https://calaveratoolworks.com  would be a place to look.  Their aprons are now sold thru Woodcraft also.

If you are looking for basically a waist up apron then the Festool ones (made by Bucketboss) are good but you might have a hard time finding them.  You can find the Bucketboss ones thru oodles of online retailers.

I have 3 or 4 of the Festool ones.  I regularly use them instead of a tool belt.

Peter

 

[Canoescapes]

I suggest that you take a look at Atlas46 aprons and vests at atlas46.com.  They are not leather, but they are indestructible and can be configured in lots of ways and with lots of add-ons.  The aprons and vests are made in the US.  Admittedly, Atlas46 products are somewhat pricey, but as shop aprons go, these are top shelf.

 

[Bob D.]

Duluth Trading used to have some decent aprons and belts. I have one of each and they are nice for in the shop. I don't see the need for leather if you're working in your shop. If you were framing or outside then yes but seems like overkill inside plus they are heavier and you will feel the weight once you load it up.

Speaking of which I don't carry much in mine. small tape measure, a Woodpeckers pocket square, couple pencils and a Sharpie, folding rule, razor knife, 6 inch Starrett rule, small low angle block plane. To that I add whatever fasteners I'm using on a project and I might have one pocket dedicated to hex drive drill bits, countersink, etc.
https://www.duluthtrading.com/workshop-and-gear/tool-storage/

 

[tomp]

Like [member=233]Bob[/member] D, I don't load my apron down, just carry the small tools that I use, mostly layout and marking. The big drawback with most aprons is that they collect sawdust in the pockets. An apron like the Hudson Hudson Apron with Flaps will minimize this problem.

 

[Peter_C]

Costco, just buy more pants and shirts. Cheaper still is Goodwill, pants are like $10 and shirts are $5. Throw them away or use them as rags when they get trashed. Goodwill even has shirts they feel are not good enough to put out on the store floor, that they sell in big bags to be used as rags for cheap. Those shirts are just fine for shop work, and you can always use the ones you wouldn't be caught wearing as rags.

 

[Bob D.]

Like [member=233]Bob[/member] D, I don't load my apron down, just carry the small tools that I use, mostly layout and marking. The big drawback with most aprons is that they collect sawdust in the pockets. An apron like the Hudson Hudson Apron with Flaps will minimize this problem.

The Duluth aprons have mesh bottoms in the pockets so they won't collect sawdust.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=37411]ear3[/member] [member=50292]Peter_C[/member] has the right idea. If you are getting stuff on your outfit now, wearing an apron will still let you get messy. Don’t ask how I know.  [wink] [wink]

You just need to be really diligent about wearing shop clothes when you’re in the shop. No more “I’ll just be a minute. I need to touch something up or just glue one piece. “

If you wear an apron it won’t stop you from pulling your sleeves up so they stay out of the finish with finish covered fingers. Once again don’t ask.  [eek]

Ron

 

[RussellS]

Agree with the post above.  When you are in the shop, then wear shop specific clothing.  When I am doing construction work, I wear my tough construction pants or my overalls.  And a t-shirt that already has holes in it and I don't care about it.  Same when I mow the lawn.  I wear my mowing clothes.  I don't care if I get grass stains and dirt on them.  I can put on a t-shirt and pants in about a minute.  Spending one minute on either end of your shop forays doesn't seem like too much time.

 

[WastedP]

When I was working in the field almost every day on cabinet installs, I wore my Occidental belt at all times.  The electrician's pouch was a good fit for me, keeping it light and minimized.  But when I transitioned to more shop and office work, wearing a belt didn't make much sense with a cart or bench within reach (mini-systainers: love them).  But in either case, nothing keeps dust, finishes, and adhesives off your clothes.  I am no fan of aprons, especially for tool storage.

I buy the same pants (either Carhartt B136's or, more recently, Patagonia's Iron Forge pants) as "regular" pants and wear them in the office or around town until I stain or damage them, or they just start to look worn.  Then they get moved over to the "work" pants pile.  I usually only carry a sharpie, a Stanley 99E, and a pencil, and they all fit in the skinny side pockets.  Even a screwdriver or wrench, in an emergency or a trip up a ladder.  I'm kind of frugal, so I will wear them until I look like a vagrant.  If I know I'm going to work with a client, I'll wear "regular" pants.  Stepping in a tray of neoprene contact cement in a new pair of Clarks or snagging that brand new dress shirt on the edge of a countertop slab is an occupational hazard.  There's always a danger that something will happen, but that's life.  The tier of clothing above "work" and "regular" is "dress," and those clothes never go near a shop.

As for shirts, I have my vendors donate them to me, so ruining one doesn't break my heart or wallet.  I did work in a cabinet shop that had a dress code; collared shirts were required.  I was fine with the look, but I bought thrift store shirts knowing full well that they would get trashed over time.  Most of those shirts cost less than a cup of specialty coffee.

 

[elfick]

I agree with everyone else, don't worry about protecting the clothes, just wear shop-specific clothes. I like the euro-style construction pants by Blaklader or Bjornklader. You can also check out Herock (available at Lee Valley), Carhartt, Helly Hansen, or Duluth.
https://www.toolnut.com/accessories/clothing-apparel/pants.html
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=71894&cat=1,71260,71948