Anybody try to shape a brim using Hatshapers.Com

[bobkeenan]

I did not get any answers with a previous post. Which may mean the answer is no. But One last try and this time with a picture. On Saturday I have one of these coming but with an open crown. This is one piece. There is not separate crown block and brim flange. Both are together. The seller claims that if you form the brim to downward brim mould that it will flip up and be a good upward curving brim when dry. It would be nice to see if anyone has tried this as I do not have a regular brim flange and I do not want to ruin a brim with this thing.

 

[Kirk H.]

I have not tried to shape a brim with the hat shaper, but I do have the open crown with out the add a brim feature that I have used to take out creases so that I could reshape them. I have had good luck with it and have found the HatShaper to be useful.

 

[RJR]

I have no experience with this method but,in theory,it should work.

 

[TheDane]

It's hard for me to imagine, how one would hold the brim in place while ironing. Using a flange, the brim is held in place by a tied down flanging cloth.

 

[bobkeenan]

Got the Hatshaper today. Struggled with how to do the brim. I could (and may still try) using an iron on cloth on brim. But what I did is steamed that hat brim for a while. Then I put the hat on the mold and used masking tape to hold the brim edge down. I was concerned about the masking tape but it was fine with the felt. You could see the areas that were bunched up and out of shape. So I got some filtered water and used a paper towel to wet the exposed brim while its taped on the flange being careful not to get the masking tape wet. Then I used my fingers to schmush the brim flat on to the brim mold and more masking tape on the buckled areas. I put a fan on it for a few hours till it was dry. BINGO!!! Brim is fixed. Keep in mind that the brim was messed up when I bought it. And I made it much worse when I stretched the tight 7 1/2 to a loose 7 5/8. So now I have a fine looking, almost good as new, Borsalino pocket hat. Feeling Proud of myself!. Picts later.....

 

[bobkeenan]

OK.... Here are some pics. Pretty good for a hat newbie.

First the hat as purchased on Ebay

Here is the Hatshaper from Hatshapers.com

Here is the AFTER pictures

 

[RJR]

OK.... Here are some pics. Pretty good for a hat newbie.

First the hat as purchased on Ebay

Here is the Hatshaper from Hatshapers.com

Here is the AFTER pictures

That is a great job,congrats!

 

[Frunobulax]

Nice job, BK.


Sent directly from my mind to yours

 

[TheDane]

I stand corrected! That's a really nice result - much better than I expected. Sometimes one should just act ... not think so much

 

[Kirk H.]

OK.... Here are some pics. Pretty good for a hat newbie.

First the hat as purchased on Ebay

Here is the Hatshaper from Hatshapers.com

Here is the AFTER pictures

Well done sir. Did you use any stiffner on the brim or just distilled water?