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What is the best material for a woodworking apron?Generally waxed canvas or leather are the 2 most common workshop apron materials to choose from. Both are durable, but both have there different pros and cons when it comes to maintenance and comfort.
Best Wood-Working Apron
#1 BEST LEATHER WOOD-WORKING APRON
Pinnacle Leather Woodworking Apron
- Heavy-duty yet soft and pliable leather
- The extra length covers most of the torso
- Has four generously-sized pockets
- Has fully adjustable crisscross design shoulder straps that keep weight off the neck
- Straps are not leather
#2 BEST CANVAS WOOD-WORKING APRON
Versatile Waxed Canvas, (Leather Strap) Woodworking Apron
- Has two large double-stitched pockets plus an extra phone pocket
- Made of 16-ounce heavy-duty canvas, with leather straps
- The waxed canvas material is resistant to most and most stains
- Has reinforced metal rivets and grommets for added strength at stress points
- It’s a bit difficult to adjust the straps once it’s on
#3 BEST WORKSHOP APRON
Hudson Woodworking Waxed Canvas Tool Apron (Brown)
- Has large double-stitched tool pockets
- Thick top and bottom hems increase strength and durability
- Padded cross-back straps ensure maximum comfort
- Straps can be difficult to adjust
#4 BEST HUDSON WAXED CANVAS APRON
Hudson Waxed Canvas Woodworking Apron
- 16-ounce canvas is rugged and water-resistant
- Reinforced with heavy grommets and rivets
- Has removable padded straps and two hammer loops
- The material is pretty stiff out of the box
#5 BEST WAXED CANVAS WORKSHOP
Readywares Waxed Canvas Tool Apron
- Very thick and durable 20-ounce waxed cotton canvas construction
- Comfortable cotton/polyester straps
- Has 12 pockets plus two hammer loops
- Quick-release buckle would be easier to reach if it was located in the middle of the strap
- Very thick and durable 20-ounce waxed cotton canvas construction
#6 BEST WORKSHOP APRON
Hudson Waxed Canvas Work Apron
- Has two large tool pockets
- Has another chest pocket for cellphones, pencils, or smaller tools
- 34” length covers the upper chest to the knees
- Can accommodate waist sizes up to 50”
- Can be a bit difficult to wear and remove
#7 BEST WOODWORKING APRON
Waxed Canvas Waterproof Woodworking Apron
- Made of very tough but flexible material
- Has a hammer loop secured by two rivets
- Shoulder straps are very comfortable
- Has a metal ring for hooking tools
#8 BEST UTILITY APRON
NoCry Woodwork Tool Apron
- Has 16 tool pockets
- Double-stitched straps are very secure and stable
- Cheap as can find
- The ergonomic design keeps weight evenly balanced on the shoulders
- Phones tend to fall out of the top pocket
Best Wood Turners Apron
#1 BEST LEATHER WOOD-TURNERS APRON
Woodturner Leather Apron
- Heavy-duty leather material
- Has a removable “hook-and-loop” collar that keeps debris from entering the top of your shirt
- Strap design balances the weight evenly on the shoulders
- Essential small pockets for pens
- It might be a bit too large for some
#2 BEST WOOD TURING APRON
Denim Woodturner Apron
- Made of heavy-duty denim
- Has a Velcro collar for easy removal
- Can be adjusted easily for a loose or tight fit
- Can be too large for some people
Introduction
Woodworking aprons are essential accessories for anyone who works with wood. They provide protection against sharp debris and prevent wood chips, sawdust, and fine particles from covering your clothes and getting in your shoes.
Woodworker’s aprons can be used by carpenters, crafts workers, sculptors, builders, furniture makers, cabinet makers, DIYers, and anyone who regularly works with wood.
Smocks or work aprons of some kind have been used by woodworkers for hundreds of years. Traditionally, these were fashioned from odd bits of leather or fabric roughly stitched together by woodworkers themselves. Nowadays, there are many machine-manufactured aprons for the woodworker market made of modern materials and with more advanced features. In many ways, however, modern woodworking aprons retain the basic design as the over-the-shoulder aprons from hundreds of years ago.
Woodworking aprons are usually made of durable materials that are resistant to splinters, sharp objects, and wear and tear. Most are made of heavy canvas, denim, or leather and some have a dual layer of canvas-backed cotton for added strength and durability.
Some woodshop aprons are made of wax-coated fabric that prevents wood debris from sticking to the surface. These fabrics also make the apron easier to clean simply by wiping them down with a damp cloth.
Although most woodworking aprons are fairly simple, some have pockets that can be used to hold tools and accessories like your wood turning chisels and drill bits. Having large pockets allows you to have many of your essential tools nearby so you don’t have to stop working to retrieve them, or lose your pencil.
Wood Working Apron Features
- Construction. Brass studs and copper rivets increase strength and durability, especially around stress points.
- Material. Materials such as canvas and leather are rugged and hard-wearing and provide protection against most types of wood debris.
- Pockets. It’s always good to have as many pockets as possible for holding your essential tools, plans, pencils, or even a beer.
- Comfort. Soft straps ensure comfortable wear for long periods. The apron should also be light enough to allow for comfortable freedom of movement.
- Shoulder support. The ability for the apron to sit over the shoulder comfortably
Woodworkers Apron vs. Carpenter’s Apron
Many carpenters could use a woodwork apron when planing, ripping or carving wood, or doing anything that produces a lot of wood debris. But generally, carpenter’s aprons are designed to take a heavy amount of tools needed as opposed to the long smocks used by woodworkers that extend down to the knees. Workshop aprons help protect and keep you clean from wood shavings but don’t have room for many tools as they should be close in the workshop. A carpenter’s apron is designed to take all the tools needed for walking around a big building site.
Carpenter’s aprons are also usually made of leather or nylon, and woodworking aprons are made of canvas or leather.
Canvas vs. Leather Aprons
Woodworking aprons are usually made of canvas or leather. Both are strong and durable materials that are very resistant to wear-and-tear. But each has its advantages and drawbacks for woodworking.
Canvas tool aprons are fairly low-maintenance material that doesn’t require any special treatment and you could simply pop your unwaxed canvas apron into the wash when it gets dirty. However, it does tend to collect fine wood particles and smaller wood chips. Canvas tool aprons also tend to get stained pretty easily.
Leather woodworking aprons don’t stain easily and won’t retain wood debris. However, you do have to season the leather on occasion with oil to prevent cracks and creases. Leather will also look worn over time, although this isn’t usually considered a drawback, Ultimately a leather apron has more protection, and is more professional for any serious woodturner, or carving enthusiast.
What Makes A Good Woodworking Apron?
A good woodworking apron should provide protection against splinters and sharp wooden debris that often come off the work surface during sawing, planing, or chiseling. They should be durable enough to withstand the rugged conditions of a typical workshop or construction site, which is why they are usually made of canvas or leather.
A utility apron with large pockets for holding essential woodworking tools is also useful. This keeps you from having to run back and forth to your workbench to get what you need.
Woodworking aprons should also be comfortable enough to wear for long periods. This is especially important considering the weight of the materials typically used for woodworking aprons plus any tools you may have in the pockets.
What Makes A Good Wood-Turning Apron?
Many woodworking aprons can be used for woodturning work as well. But you might find a lighter woodturners apron better suited for your needs. Woodworking aprons are usually thick and heavy, which makes it a bit difficult to move around if you have to do a lot of intricate work.
Woodturning also usually produces smaller and finer particles than general woodworking. For your purposes, you might better off with a leather or nylon apron that doesn’t pick up or retain wood particles as easily as a canvas woodworking apron. It is also a good idea to go for a long apron that covers your torso and most of your legs.
Top Wood Working Apron Comparison
| Pinnacle Leather Woodworking Apron
| Versatile Waxed Canvas And Leather Apron
 | Woodturner Leather Apron
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets: | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Material: | Leather | Canvas And Leather | Leather |
| Size: | 21” x 27” | S to XXL | One-size-fits-all |
Conclusion
The Pinnacle Leather Woodworking Apron is a good all-around choice for most woodworking jobs. The heavy, full-grained leather does an excellent job of keeping away most debris, and it is surprisingly lightweight despite its thickness and durability.
If you prefer an even lighter apron, Loftbrook’s Versatile Waxed Canvas Genuine Leather Woodworking Apron combines the best qualities of canvas and leather in a convenient design. The waxed coating is water-resistant and immune to most stains, although it can be cleaned pretty easily with a brush or a sponge.
Rockler’s Woodturner Leather Apron is a simple yet well-designed model that provides excellent value for the money. The leather material is hardy enough for most purposes, and a removable “hook-and-loop” collar is provided for keeping debris from getting into your shirt. It can also be worn comfortably for long periods due to the adjustable shoulder strap design.
TOP LEATHER WORKSHOP APRON
The Pinnacle woodworking apron is made of heavy, full-grained leather, which provides adequate protection from most types of wood debris. Although the leather is remarkably durable, it is also soft, pliable, and fairly lightweight, so you could use it comfortably for hours.
The apron measures 27” in length, so it covers your entire torso and prevents wood chips and sawdust from sticking to your clothes. There are four pockets in all, which allows you to carry pencils, measuring tapes, and even safety goggles and tools with you while working. The shoulder straps can be adjusted as well, which keeps the weight off your neck.
Pros:
- Comfortable but heavy-duty Leather
- Good-sized pockets
Cons:
- There are cheaper “canvas” aprons
#1 BEST LEATHER WORKSHOP APRON
TOPWAXED CANVAS WOODWORKING APRON
From Loftbrook, this versatile waxed canvas apron combines a heavy canvas body with genuine leather straps. It comes with three pockets that are large enough to fit most woodworking tools.
The 16-ounce canvas material is thick and rugged enough to withstand wear-and-tear, but it is also lightweight and easy to handle. It is also water-resistant due to the waxed coating and has reinforced metal rivets and grommets for added strength and durability.
The waxed canvas does require a bit of special care as compared to other canvas aprons. Instead of tossing this into the wash, you can clean this pretty easily by brushing or sponging down any spots or stains with cold water and castile soap. You can then hang the apron to air dry.
Pros:
- Comfortable Leather shoulder straps
- Decent sized pockets
- Durable stitching/rivet construction
Cons:
- The front is not leather
#1 BEST CANVAS WOODWORK APRON
TOP WOOD-TURNING LEATHER APRON
This leather apron is ideally-suited for woodturning woodworking jobs. The heavy-duty leather material keeps you protected from sharp debris and prevents sawdust and fine particles from getting all over your clothes.
The apron also has a removable “hook-and-loop” collar that keeps wood debris from getting under your shirt. The crisscross straps keep most of the weight off your neck as it rests comfortably on your shoulders so you could use this apron for hours without any discomfort.
This apron is sized to fit everyone and has two inside pockets and outside pencil pockets.
Pros:
- Leather
- Durable
- Pen Holders
Cons:
- Might be too large for some
#1 BEST WOOD TURNERS APRON
References:
- Woodturning overview and history, retrieved from, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodturning
- Woodworking apron discussion, retrieved from, https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?234205-Need-a-good-turning-apron-that-is-long-enough-What-do-you-use
- Woodturning info, retrieved from, https://roperwoodturning.com/what-is-woodturning/
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