If you don't have them, get some Chaps!

wendell said:

10" bigger than when I was a 42"

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I know these don't quite do it, but Bailey's has a set good to 48". Depending on your thigh size these might work after adding on a longer section of webbing for the waist belt. Just a thought.

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=164+ORG+RG&catID=135

wendell said:

I'm not sure if it is OK to post here if I'm not debating someone's intention or Webster's definitions but I'm wondering if someone can tell those of us of greater girth where we can find a pair of chaps that fit. I had bought a pair of Pro Forest chaps but it wasn't gonna happen.

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Take your chaps to a harness shop and they will cut and sew in xtra length of nylon.

wendell said:

I'm not sure if it is OK to post here if I'm not debating someone's intention or Webster's definitions but I'm wondering if someone can tell those of us of greater girth where we can find a pair of chaps that fit. I had bought a pair of Pro Forest chaps but it wasn't gonna happen.

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I have the opposite question, How about a good pair of safe affordable chaps for skinny guys like me. 32 waist and up, depending on what I am wearing!

I got the LaBonvilles. With my skinny legs they're pretty much full-wraps. LOL.
They do fit well and they haven't been snagging on brush at all. I have a 32" inseam and the extra longs are perfect.

Wendell,

You can purchase lengths of webbing at a fabric store. Check with shoe repairmen, drycleaners (they have seamstresses on hand), or even the ladies that work at the fabric stores to do the actual sewing for you.

Shari

I did find a pair of Work Safes on Bailey's and they do also sell a belt extender. Might have to go with that. I would like to find something local but no one has a belt extender and I doubt they are a universal item.

Just remember to get a nice pair of chaps so you can wear them to the bar..........

Labonville does custom sizing on chaps, don't know what their size limits are, but that's where I'd start looking if I fell outside the "normal" size range...

I have mixed feelings about a lot of safety gear... Sometimes it's useful, sometimes I find it more of an annoyance than anything else... I'm left handed - I got a circular saw that had a safety button that had to be pressed to work the saw - worked fine if you used it right handed, but forced your hand into an awkward position if you tried to use your left hand. (It doesn't have a safety button any longer)

My snowblower has a clutch lever that has to be held down to make the augers work, and a second one needed to make the transmission drive - they didn't give me a third hand to crank the chute while running, or explain how you are supposed to see if you broke a shear pin if the auger stops turning when you step away from the machine to look at if it's turning... (Unless the auger safety clutch lever is tied down...)

Does eye protection that fogs up so you can't see what you are doing help?

What about safety gear that makes you more clumsy, or gets in the way of what you are trying to work on?

Chainsaw gear I mostly find isn't to objectionable in terms of it getting in the way, though it took me a while to find chainsaw gloves (at Amick's BTW, see my review on them a while back) that didn't feel like they belonged in a boxing ring...

There is very mixed evidence on some safety gear, such as motorcycle helmets, as to just how much good they really do... I have personal experience that also makes me wonder about the claims for seat belts, specifically whether or not the people filling out the accident reports are "cooking the books" on useage rates...

Then you also DO get into the whole "risk acceptance theory" conundrum - which seems to be fairly well demonstrated, though little discussed (IMHO because it makes the safetycrats VERY uncomfortable to do so....) Namely does the fact that one is using equipment intended to make one safer, or at least FEEL safer, cause one to take more chances or act in a more 'risky' manner than one would if not using it? (Example, it is well documented that average driving speeds in England went UP after they imposed mandatory seatbelt laws, result was that auto-driving fatalities dropped, but fatalities among pedestrians, pedal and motor cyclists, and other non-belted individuals went UP....)

BTW, I do wear the chainsaw gear. OTOH, as a former Motorcycle Safety Instructor, while I routinely wear boots, chaps and leather jacket on my motorcycle, my helmet comes off soon as I hit the border going into a free state, largely because I've read the research on BOTH sides of the issue... (also I won't wear a full face helmet under ANY conditions...)

Gooserider

out of all the saftey stuff, i pay attention to my chainbrake....especially on the big boy's saws(65cc) & up

pay attention to the guide bar tip at ALL times and have a correct grip with both hands!
this is the end result of a kick back 2100CD husqvarna with no chain brake.
bucking firewood and NOT paying attention to where the guide bar tip is. (hitting another piece endgrain)

with a chain like this :bug:

ouch :sick:
and i was missin' the two middle fingers BEFORE THE KICKBACK. (playin' with firecrackers age 11)

Hey Guys
I bought Hubby a new pair of chaps couple months ago. He says they are to stiff> I bought me a pair too. I may have to "accidentally" throw away his old pair of comfortable chaps> He cut into them several years ago. I sewed them by hand back. I read on here about not trusting them after they are "cut". I told Hubby. what you all said. He says ...... but the new ones are stiff and harder to put on> True since I bought the more wraps chaps from Labonville. MADE IN USA.... YEAH !!
I also bought new helmet with the face screen and built in ear muffs for myself and an extra one. Good price.
His first hat still works fine, he uses it most every time he cuts
WENDELL
Since I have been sewing (by golly- lee I'm old) close to 50 years
You can buy the webbing and "marriage" or butt the webbing or best to overlap it and sew it . Join webbing by a square of stitching and "X" . a lot stronger sewing technique.
I havent worn my chaps yet as Hubby just bought me my first saw....... a baby 12 inch sthl with easy start. Ive used it just twice so far. Just once by myself. I'm scared of chainsaws, at least hiss 16 inch and 20 inch bars. Believe me Im gonna remain scared, I respect a tool's power. Rather a radial arm saw, or my new mitre saw, router bandsaw and especially HIS table saw. and especially a lawn mower too.
Glad its warmer here today. Gret a few hours off without constantly woodburning will have to later on this evening probably
Wanna try solar and wind turbines, I think Im developing arthritis etc from in the hands from grabbing logs etc. I tell Youngins all the time... Its hell getting old. LOL
Thanks all and take care
Jean

jeanw said:

Hey Guys
I bought Hubby a new pair of chaps couple months ago. He says they are to stiff> I bought me a pair too. I may have to "accidentally" throw away his old pair of comfortable chaps> He cut into them several years ago. I sewed them by hand back. I read on here about not trusting them after they are "cut". I told Hubby. what you all said. He says ...... but the new ones are stiff and harder to put on> True since I bought the more wraps chaps from Labonville. MADE IN USA.... YEAH !!
I also bought new helmet with the face screen and built in ear muffs for myself and an extra one. Good price.
His first hat still works fine, he uses it most every time he cuts
WENDELL
Since I have been sewing (by golly- lee I'm old) close to 50 years
You can buy the webbing and "marriage" or butt the webbing or best to overlap it and sew it . Join webbing by a square of stitching and "X" . a lot stronger sewing technique.
I havent worn my chaps yet as Hubby just bought me my first saw....... a baby 12 inch sthl with easy start. Ive used it just twice so far. Just once by myself. I'm scared of chainsaws, at least hiss 16 inch and 20 inch bars. Believe me Im gonna remain scared, I respect a tool's power. Rather a radial arm saw, or my new mitre saw, router bandsaw and especially HIS table saw. and especially a lawn mower too.
Glad its warmer here today. Gret a few hours off without constantly woodburning will have to later on this evening probably
Wanna try solar and wind turbines, I think Im developing arthritis etc from in the hands from grabbing logs etc. I tell Youngins all the time... Its hell getting old. LOL
Thanks all and take care
Jean

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Jean, from what I've heard hear and on Arboristsite, repaired chaps are OK IF the padding was not damaged. (that's a BIG "IF" in case anyone was wondering :lol: ) If the padding was damaged, nail them to the wall of the garage as a reminder to be more careful next time... I have a patch on my own pair where something got the shell for a couple of inches. There are specific procedures on how to patch them, sewing is NOT reccomended in most cases, as it would mean stitching through the padding. Instead, using a fabric cement, glue the patch onto the outer shell, being careful to keep the glue away from the hole itself so that you don't get any on the padding. The idea is that chaps work by pulling strands out of the entire pad so they can get sucked into the sprocket and jam everything else, any repairs must be done in such a way that the pad is loose and free to shred as it was designed to do.

In terms of the stiffness, I found that running the chaps through the wash a couple of times (read and follow the laundering instructions as to temp, soap, etc...) softened mine up considerably - I have Stihl chaps, and they even say in the instructions to wash them before using.

As to saws and attitude, "respect" is good, "scared" is not so good - you want to work on developing the confidence to feel comfortable using the saw, while still respecting its potential to do harm if mis-used, and the knowledge to use it properly... Being overly scared of a tool can cause one to be almost as unsafe as getting overconfident and careless...

Gooserider

No injuries for 40 years////your Due.....get some chaps

I don't own chaps, but wear a helmet with earmuffs and steel toed boots. Always cut to one side and stay out of line- remember that PPE is the last resort. Good practice is #1- same as in industrial safety. maintained equipment is just as important.

Adios Pantalones said:

I don't own chaps, but wear a helmet with earmuffs and steel toed boots. Always cut to one side and stay out of line- remember that PPE is the last resort. Good practice is #1- same as in industrial safety. maintained equipment is just as important.

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Good point... With the possible exception of ear protection and safety glasses, PPE is probably better defined as "Personal SCREWUP Equipment" - if you ever actually NEED it, you've made a serious error... This isn't saying that it's a bad thing that it protected you, but you should be cutting (or doing whatever other PPE involving task) in such a way as to NOT have "needed" it... Operate as if you didn't have it, and do your best to never find out how really good it is!

Gooserider

jeffman3 said:

I know that in my buddies case the accident happened at the end of cutting for the day. Literally the last cut or two, he was going to make for the day. My experience is that accidents happen when you are tired, or distracted in some other way, like after cutting all afternoon, or working extra shifts at the factory. While cutting, when it's time for a break, I take one. When I feel like I'm tired or distracted, or my back starts to hurt, I just turn off the saw, and take a break. Regular breaks help keep me alert,and aware.

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Yep - all my near misses were at the end of the day - tired for sure. Really makes it easy to figure our when quitting time is.