I was wondering the same thing?
Pocket drill cloth at Joann's
- Thread starter Eric Krewson
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“Drill” is a very tough, strong, wear-resistant cotton fabric made with a sort of diagonal weave. It is lighter and more flexible than canvas. It is sometimes called “pocket drill” because it is used for trouser pockets. Next time you get out a pair of blue jeans, look at the pocket material… it is lighter weight and lighter color than the blue denim, but it is tough, which helps it last longer before yer pocket knife wears a hole in it.
I understand that the term “drill” is derived from a German word for “three,” just as a “drilling” is a three-barreled German long gun. I don’t know just how drill is woven, but I think most fabrics use threads in two directions ( the “warp” and the “weft”) and drill must use a third course of threads in the weave… maybe on a diagonal.
I didn’t know JoAnn’s was going out of business. We have a JoAnn’s in the University City near where I live, and another one 40+ miles down the road. Neither have this #40 pocket drill in stock or indicate willingness to acquire it, although I appreciate the link and suggestion @WonkyEye provided in post #14. I guess I’ll keep on using patch material from RMC-Ox Yoke or Eastern Maine Shooter’s Supplies. Seems like lots of things are becoming unavailable now. I’ve been wearing a particular type of brogan shoes from Mason Shoe Company for 50+ years, but Mason closed up, permanently, in January of this year. I think they opened for business in 1919. No more brogans, now. I got the last two pairs of these in my size in existence in their closeout sale. I would have bought three pairs if they’d had them. It’s just sad to see things disappear, when you’ve been counting on them for the better part of a lifetime.
As Lone Watie said, “Endeavor to persevere.”
Notchy Bob
Thank you Notchy Bob, now I get it.
I wash 2 times without soap and dry in dryer with an old sneaker on low heat. The sneaker beats the cloth to make it less stiff.
I washed mine in the washer once with soap in hot water and tumbled it dry to shrink it as much as I could., I would think that soap would help get the sizing out of it.
Yup. Notchy you are so right. So many good things from years past have disappeared, common sense among the rest. If we can still find things we need or enjoy get them while you can.
Snoot
Thanks Bob I understand now
I went by Joann's in Augusta Ga. this morning and got 5 yards for $2.40 a yard. they had plenty.
longcruise
70 Cal.
It's possible they might be declaring a chapter 11 in which case it may not be a complete closing down. At least we can hope
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To find this on the Joann website search for “Unbleached Drill Fabric”. The cloth is 40” wide which is I think is where the “#40” came from. Can’t say for sure on that. The stock item number is 683532.
I was able to get 2 yards of this last year just to try and found it worked well for me. Seemed to suck up lube like the proverbial sponge. When the news of Joann’s financial difficulty became known I thought it would be wise to lay in a stock that would last for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, my local store is out of stock, the nearest store with any on hand (but only a limited quantity) is 45 miles and a $7 bridge toll away. Adding insult to injury, it is no longer available for shipping!
When my wife and I visited the local store last week, I asked one of the employees if the store would be closing. She said it would not, and that the company is going through restructuring. This seems like the last step before bankruptcy. I then told her of my unsuccessful search for the drill fabric and asked if she could order some for me. Her answer surprised me when she said the stores do not order specific fabrics. The stock level and variety is determined by the home office. The local stores just stock what they are sent.
I have been thinking about trying to contact someone in customer service at the corporate office, if such a person would be available, but have not had the time.
Hopefully, this information is useful to somebody. If not, I am sorry for wasting you time reading this post.
I was able to get 2 yards of this last year just to try and found it worked well for me. Seemed to suck up lube like the proverbial sponge. When the news of Joann’s financial difficulty became known I thought it would be wise to lay in a stock that would last for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, my local store is out of stock, the nearest store with any on hand (but only a limited quantity) is 45 miles and a $7 bridge toll away. Adding insult to injury, it is no longer available for shipping!
When my wife and I visited the local store last week, I asked one of the employees if the store would be closing. She said it would not, and that the company is going through restructuring. This seems like the last step before bankruptcy. I then told her of my unsuccessful search for the drill fabric and asked if she could order some for me. Her answer surprised me when she said the stores do not order specific fabrics. The stock level and variety is determined by the home office. The local stores just stock what they are sent.
I have been thinking about trying to contact someone in customer service at the corporate office, if such a person would be available, but have not had the time.
Hopefully, this information is useful to somebody. If not, I am sorry for wasting you time reading this post.
Not a waste of time at all, my friend. It is interesting to hear how their corporate administrative policies work. Maybe instead of dictating to the store managers, if they would listen to them, and stock the stores with what the customers want, the company wouldn't be going bankrupt.
I thought your post was very informative.
Notchy Bob
I looked online here in Colorado and there isnt a store in the area that has any. The local store here 5 minutes from the house has shut the door. Sounds like to me from reading Acorns post its another case of mismanagement. How does some desk clerk in a main office know what the store needs when they arent there to see what the store is selling. I was wanting to try some of this drill cloth but now I will just wait and hope it comes back available for shipping.
Yes, the fabric is 40" wide hence the #40
Why is it better than pillow ticking? What am I gaining?
If you just hunt, there's really no reason to change what already works for you. When you are a competitive shooter firing a couple thousand rounds or more every year there are plenty of reasons to try something different. The only way to find out if there's any "gain," is for you is to just try it. At 2.50-3 dollars a yard, your not going to waste any money.
The weaving is done with three threads for a tighter weave with slightly thinner threads. This weave is designed for wear in its use as lining for pockets. it will be a bit thicker than pillow ticking which is 0.015" usually and pocket drill is 0.017" to 0.018". Mattress ticking uses a thicker thread and will come in at 0.018" but it's often not as tight a weave as pocket drill.
And in truth, you are not gaining much other than slightly more consistency in the load with drill cloth.
It’s my understanding the drill cloth has a tighter weave.
More threads per inch..
What is the thickness of this 'drill' material? Ticking is typically 0.015 - 0.018"
Pete G
76 Cal.
Walmart has it in the utility cloth part of the sewing section
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Read Grenadier1758's post above, #36
