Turning Smock

Steve Allen, "Tonight Show" - SMOCK, SMOCK!

I found a large size lab coat on sale at a local uniform shop for about $10. Had the sleeves shortened to just above the elbow. Dyed it brown and sewed a velcro tab up by the collar to keep the top closed. Adding flaps to the pockets or removing the pockets entirely is optional. Made one of the best turning smocks I have. My second favorite came from Packard's.

Dan "Eccentric by Nature:

"Stuart Johnson" wrote: (clip)I wonder how ties will work for polishing rags? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ They might work OK, but I don't advise polishing under power with a tie that you are wearing.

Not exactly a smock, but I have found that a cheap nylon windbreaker makes an effective outer garment for turning, since shavings and dust fall right off its slick surface. I found one at Sam's Club for $10 that I bought a size too large so I'd have plenty freedom of movement and extra length in the body. It has a zip-up high collar and does just fine for my needs. Goodwill stores and such probably have plenty of this sort of thing for even less.

Best--

Chuck Engstrom

I tried that once.....ONCE! Hot chips flying at great speed tend to HURT against bare skin.

Peter Teubel Milford, MA

Who makes a good turning smock? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I can't remember who, but someone in this NG suggested using the "three-sleeve" hospital wrap-around gowns. I may have a chance to snag a couple of these, as I am going in for surgery in three weeks. Sure seems like a workable idea.

One of our less experienced club turners gave a novice demo at our mini symposium. He said, novice turners wear a t-shirt, intermediate wear aprons, advanced wear smocks, and masters wear smocks with their names embroidered on the breast. It was quite funny.

I have three smocks: Sorby, Craft Supplies and a locally made smock.

Sorby has long sleeves which I generally don't care for. It has a stretchy neck and mine has stretched out enough that it doesn't seal very well.

The Craft Supplies smock is excellent except on thing. The zipper is exposed on the front. When holding a piece for hand sanding, carving, etc., the zipper can scratch your piece. Velcro on the neck, short sleeves and pockets in the rear. All of these are good.

One of our local club members has a smock where he fixed all of my gripes. It is light, comfortable, etc. For about $40. Email me if you want his name and number.

Joe, a select few of our S&T types, aka spammers & trollers, ought to be wearing smocks with horizontal stripes while turning with a shovel & pick. Actually, inmates at the Maine State Prison used to turn and sell bowls, platters. trivets etc. I imagine a number was embroidered on their smocks. Arch

Fortiter,

Joe, is your name embroidered on your smock?

Well, I have to say that there's yet another category: those of us who wear our T-shirts inside-out. What caliber of turner are we? I haven't figured that one out yet (you be the judge). I just know how I protect myself from those miscreant shavings. Oh, and if you feel you want to be really, really different, make sure the shirt has a small tear or two in it. I know some of mine do!

(Now, I'm curious to see who's going to ask the question first... >;o)

-- Ali T. Borahan AliSails - Fine Wood Artistry & Custom Woodcrafts Web URL:

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I put my name on two of the smocks for a technical reason. We do several community events and when wearing the smocks with pin-on name tags, the name tags got in the way. An embroidered name doesn't interfere.

I also write my name on my visor so that viewers will know my name.