DIY Leather Apron

[Oldmeadow]

A friend of mine has had an angle grinder cut into his chest. Thankfully it got stopped by his breastbone! I don't know if he was doing something silly with the grinder, but accidents can and do happen!!

I have had little wires off the rust removal wire wheels on grinders fly off and embed into my leg. A couple of them took a month or two to come out.

As a result of those experiences, I made a leather apron. I wanted a custom fit and a high neck area for max protection while metalworking and for when I learn to forge.

It was easy and cheap (because I already had leather... and I got others to do the sewing:roflmao:). Here are pics of the design in case someone wants to make one. You may notice that the hardware is random - I just pulled it off old bags etc that were destined for landfill.


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[BobL]

Nice job, I like the way it protects the arm pits and upper chest, could even go a bit closer that way.
As I often weld sitting down I got an extra long one custom made a few years ago from Maka's leathergoods and I use it regularly.
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However, it does not have enough armpit protection as I've set my flannel shirt armpits on fire several times with an angle grinder. :oo:

[Oldmeadow]

Thanks I appreciate the advice! That gives a new meaning to 'fire-pits' :flamed2::burnt:

I'll make another one in a few years when I've figured out what I want to change.

I bought an extra thick bit of leather to make a 'half-skirt' (for lack of a better word). I've noticed that blacksmiths seem to mainly cover their waist downwards.

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[Simplicity]

That looks fantastic, great outcome and the price looks fair too :).

I must make one, I’m constantly being told off for bring metal fillings inside,

Cheers Matt

[bueller]

Thanks for sharing! I want to have a crack at making an apron now that I have a decent sewing machine, I have one I really like but it could be so much better.

[Oldmeadow]

One tip to consider is putting flaps over the pockets so they don't fill with debris. Mine don't currently. They are a tight fit and don't collect too much. I may re-do the bottom one with a flap.

Apparently it looks best if the flap is installed before attaching the pocket to the apron. I may do this if I get annoying build up when woodturning. Another option that I've thought of is stitching in some magnets or obtaining some rivet-in magnet clasp things to help keep the pockets shut.

[China]

One big mistake than most people make when sewing leather is using the wrong needle, make sure you use leather point needles.

[BobL]

One tip to consider is putting flaps over the pockets so they don't fill with debris. Mine don't currently. They are a tight fit and don't collect too much. I may re-do the bottom one with a flap.

Apparently it looks best if the flap is installed before attaching the pocket to the apron. I may do this if I get annoying build up when woodturning. Another option that I've thought of is stitching in some magnets or obtaining some rivet-in magnet clasp things to help keep the pockets shut.

God idea about the pocket flaps but if you are doing anything with metal I'm not sure about the magnets as they will collect swarf/dust.

[Oldmeadow]

Good point!