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Turners' jacket

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
I am in the need of a new turners' smock. The one I have been using for a couple of years is now (sadly) coming to the end of its days. Glue, paint, cuts and tears have taken their toll. It is an Axminster one which has been OK but it is very thin and was looking for something tougher, like denim or canvass; something, maybe, along the lines of a welders' jacket. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences on this subject?

Cheers
Frederick
 

Robert

Full Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Posts
205
Location
Totternhoe, Beds
First Name
Rob
I have been looking to get a smock too. Robert Sorby ones are expensive. The only other ones I could find are Lovell which you can get monogrammed, but they didn’t have my size in blue or green last time I looked. Link here:

http://www.lovellworkwear.com/smocks.html


Would be interested to hear of any others too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
You raised interesting observations ,I came in tonight covered in turning gore thanks for the reminder my thought is to prevail on my wife for one turning cover.
 

monophoto

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Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
67
Location
New York
First Name
Louie
I bought my smock from Lovell Workwear in Cardiff. It's reasonably heavy canvas-like material, comfy in the winter and tolerable in the summer, and their prices (at the time) were reasonable - haven't looked in several years. They were more than happy to accept an email order from here in the colonies, and it arrived in about two weeks.

The negatives: I wish it had a pocket in the sleeve or chest for pencils - fishing around in a back pocket for a pencil when that pocket also contains some Sharpies, a red crayon, a couple of short rules, and a handful of shavings is inconvenient.

And it isn't treated to resist glues and finishes - so a time will eventually come when I will need to replace it. But it's been going strong for around eight years so far.
 

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
I bought my smock from Lovell Workwear in Cardiff. It's reasonably heavy canvas-like material, comfy in the winter and tolerable in the summer, and their prices (at the time) were reasonable - haven't looked in several years. They were more than happy to accept an email order from here in the colonies, and it arrived in about two weeks.

The negatives: I wish it had a pocket in the sleeve or chest for pencils - fishing around in a back pocket for a pencil when that pocket also contains some Sharpies, a red crayon, a couple of short rules, and a handful of shavings is inconvenient.

And it isn't treated to resist glues and finishes - so a time will eventually come when I will need to replace it. But it's been going strong for around eight years so far.


:funny: Oh boy....many a time I have placed my hand into the rear pocket and hate to think what I had put it in. Also back pockets seem to catch on corners of benches and the machine handles.....been there...... done that. Thanks

Regards
Frederick
 

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
I bought my smock from Lovell Workwear in Cardiff. It's reasonably heavy canvas-like material, comfy in the winter and tolerable in the summer, and their prices (at the time) were reasonable - haven't looked in several years. They were more than happy to accept an email order from here in the colonies, and it arrived in about two weeks.

The negatives: I wish it had a pocket in the sleeve or chest for pencils - fishing around in a back pocket for a pencil when that pocket also contains some Sharpies, a red crayon, a couple of short rules, and a handful of shavings is inconvenient.

And it isn't treated to resist glues and finishes - so a time will eventually come when I will need to replace it. But it's been going strong for around eight years so far.


:funny: Oh boy....many a time I have placed my hand into the rear pocket and hate to think what I had put it in. Also back pockets seem to catch on corners of benches and the machine handles.....been there...... done that. Thanks

Regards
Frederick
 

Dalboy

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,679
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
I have a Lovells one as well just right for both summer and winter I brought one slightley too large to allow for an extra jumper during the winter months. So far very happy with it and they will put your name on it just incase you forget it:funny::funny::funny:
 

21William

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Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,618
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Dorset
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William
Observations from others have been that the thick cotton ones attract the dust and shavings. The thinner ones made with a smoother material shrug it off.

I went with a combat jacket like Mike Peace and it works pretty well.

Moment of Peace #2 - YouTube
 

Dalboy

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,679
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
The advantage of a proper turners smock is that it can be tightened around the neck and cuffs stopping shavings and everything else getting on the inside
 

monophoto

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Dec 17, 2013
Posts
67
Location
New York
First Name
Louie
The IAP site periodically does a group buy on light-weight short sleeve turning smocks that include the IAP logo. I suppose the idea is to have penturners promote the site/group by wearing the smock when they sell pens at craft shows. The price is quite a bit lower than Lowell. but the smock is also much lighter in weight - what my wife might call 'summer weight'.

I suppose that you are familiar with the issue of long sleeves versus short sleeves. I prefer long sleeves because our winters are very cold, and my basement shop is even cool in the summer months. Also, I prefer to keep chips off my arms. But strictly speaking, a short sleeve smock is safer because there is nothing at the wrist level to catch on the lathe. The long-sleeve version of the Lowell smock has velcro closures that you can snug up to minimize that risk.
 

21William

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1,618
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Dorset
First Name
William
The advantage of a proper turners smock is that it can be tightened around the neck and cuffs stopping shavings and everything else getting on the inside

The combat jacket I bought is the same, Velcro collar and cuffs. If you watch the video above you’ll see.:winking:

9B590268-B115-454C-9E56-A9F91D284FAF.jpg
 

Neil

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May 21, 2013
Posts
3,132
Location
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
First Name
Neil
The advantage of a proper turners smock is that it can be tightened around the neck and cuffs stopping shavings and everything else getting on the inside

I’m getting grief from partner #2, first one cited trail of shavings through the house as a real issue, guess it was as she walked out! I decided to invest in something a bit bigger to keep all the crap off so searched for a howie coat and it looks just right and for about £25 should do the job, time to retire the Axminster smock. Coat arrives tomorrow.
 

Neil

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Joined
May 21, 2013
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3,132
Location
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
First Name
Neil
Very impressed, my howie coat turned up today, fantastic, it reaches mid calf, poppers all the way from the neck to calf. Good fit round the wrist, good quality hard wearing material yet not heavy, easy to move in and fantastic for keeping the shavings out. Pair of pockets in the front, ideal for keeping the pen kit bag in that you’re working on, saves putting it down and misplacing it, my favourite pastime! Thoroughly recommend them at around £26. https://www.workinstyle.com/howie-lab-coat.html
 
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