Coombe Barton Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Many years ago in Plymouth I needed a watch repaired so viisted a watchmaker in his workshop - you could do that then. In order to catch the bits he dropped he was wearing an apron that was attached to the underside of his workbench and then the other end around his neck which formed a catch area in which the inevitable dropped parts would be caught. There were no waist drawstrings or pockets. When he got up he just took it from round his neck and hung it on the bench hook. I'm having to get OH to make one for me as I can't find one anywhere, or even anything similar. I want it before I start building anything fiddly, obviously. I'm just asking if anyone has seen anything like this or knows of a source to save us experimenting with dimensions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted January 30, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 30, 2010 I'm sure I recall one well-known modeller being photographed in MRJ with a similar apron - it's a very good idea! But, then again, won't you really miss all that intimacy with the carpet?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coombe Barton Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 But, then again, won't you really miss all that intimacy with the carpet?! ;) You've been peeping again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy C Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 But, then again, won't you really miss all that intimacy with the carpet?! Ny first thought Tim was "in a word , no." But then again, the carpet under my workbench is a treasure trove of lost bits, if i ever need a top hat bearing, I know where to find one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Worsdell forever Posted January 30, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 30, 2010 Whenever I loose something and go to look for it I find what I lost last time usually something that I have since replaced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2mm Dabbler Posted January 30, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 30, 2010 The 2mm Scale Association has these available from time to time for members. In fact orders were recently being taken for the latest batch - closing date was Friday, price 19.95. They are a little different from your description, having a waist tie and the bottom edge attaching under the workbench by velcro. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 I thought that these were initially used by goldsmiths etc to catch the filings because they weren't prepared to see all that valuable metal go to waste on the floor. I have to say that I have never thought to use one to catch the "escapers" when modelling. Seems like a good idea to me! Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodfoundry Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 I have dropped so many parts onto the carpet under my workbench, you could build several trains from them. And if this does not sound believalbe, I will post a recording I made recently of the sounds of shunting operations going on in the south-east corner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Micromark #82580 USD 11.45 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krusty Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 A watchmaker friend used one of these for a while when doing his apprenticeship, but quickly gave it away 'cos the savings from catching falling parts were more than offset by the damage done whenever he forgot to undo the apron before getting up from the bench.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coombe Barton Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 Micromark #82580 USD 11.45 That's exactly the design I had in mind, but in calico. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted January 31, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 31, 2010 A watchmaker friend used one of these for a while when doing his apprenticeship, but quickly gave it away 'cos the savings from catching falling parts were more than offset by the damage done whenever he forgot to undo the apron before getting up from the bench.... you could always attach it to the bench with velcro, or is this getting a little too "Full Monty" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coombe Barton Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 you could always attach it to the bench with velcro, or is this getting a little too "Full Monty" Velcro seems to be the commercial way of attaching to the bench, but I prefer curtain rings and cup hooks, or just loops made of the same tape you use to put it round your neck - makes for sustainability in the 'clean' stakes. Occasionally, once a year or so I take the bench (which is a plywood device I out on a sturdy table) and give it a bit of a power wash. Hooks stay OK, but Velcro goes soggy. You just need to measure correctly and hide that ends that will catch, in other words the open end of the cup hook facing away from you when you're working. I have to say my bench is a sit down variety behind my desk, and I use the same chair. It's in the corner of the main room - she likes me where she can keep an eye on me and summon waiter service coffee from the kitchen when required (i.e. most of the time) I think the trick is to make the neck loop the safety fail point - a small face to face press stud that will pull apart. You need the force on the fastening of getting up inadvertently to pull apart not across, so it can't be 'neat'. I've spotted some dust sheet material on Screwfix http://www.screwfix.com/prods/86812/Decorating-Sundries/Decorating-Sundries/Cotton-Twill-Dust-Sheet-0-9-x-7-3-m?cm_re=SEARCHPROMO-_-DUST%20SHEET-_-86812 that will make seven of these things for a fiver. Need to add cuphooks http://www.screwfix.com/prods/17104/Fixings/Cup-Hooks/Electro-Brass-Cup-Hook-25mm-Pack-of-10 (45p) and some bias cut tape for round the neck and a press stud. (that's not more than a quid at the most expensive.) (Can't find curtain rings of the correct type on Screwfix) OH has already said yes and 'has some calico and tape somewhere'. But not today, she says (which suits me). The total cost of doing this will be less than UKP3. Think I'll put some diagrams on here when I've done - and UKP3 is a bit better than UKP20. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2mm Dabbler Posted January 31, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 31, 2010 Another variation is the jewellers sheepskin or equivalent as described by the S4 Society CLAG page: My link As John says the weakest point should be the neck loop. My own workbench is an old typists desk from the days of heavy mechanical typewriters so if the loop doesn't give way my neck might. And agreed UKP20 is not cheap but it is, emblazoned with the 2mmSA logo, as much a promotional item as anything else. Regardless, the prevention of small and fragile parts falling on the floor is a good idea, considering the risks of loss and damage. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emac Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 good idea a bit of velcro along the bottom of my old woodworking apron with another undeneth the bench will do the trick new aprons here http://www.lovellworkwear.com/woodworkingaprons.htm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertiedog Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Velcro is vital, hooks etc., are just too firm for safety, you must have a way of not just forgetting to un-hook, but for safety you should be able to get away from the bench with both hands engaged in holding things, accidents, cuts, acid spills, all need both hands free as you stand up. Attaching with Velcro is the best way, and is used in the jewellery trade these days, with a close fitting V front desk as well, which again helps with dropped tiny items. Stephen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 I'm having to get OH to make one for me as I can't find one anywhere, or even anything similar. I want it before I start building anything fiddly... MicroMark, the US specialised tool and supplies dealer has something that may do the job: http://www.micromark.com/PARTS-CATCHING-APRON,8108.html or http://www.micromark.com/HEAVY-DUTY-DENIM-APRON,7101.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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