Ask a question, get an answer

[NoSkinnyJeans]

Best place to order an Akubra Campdraft from? Everything Australian, the Hattery, Hats by the Hundred, etc? I'd like some insight on customer experience.

 

[Zombie_61]

Any thoughts on the most versatile color for an Akubra Campdraft? I like Both the moonstone and silverbelly, but which looks the beat with a suit or jeans or khakis?

I find Silverbelly to be a bit more versatile because it goes with almost any color, but being so light in color it can be more difficult to keep clean.

Best place to order an Akubra Campdraft from? Everything Australian, the Hattery, Hats by the Hundred, etc? I'd like some insight on customer experience.

I've ordered from Everything Australian and Hats Direct/The Hattery, and have received excellent customer service from both.

 

[Windsock8e]

Hey, Windsock. First, most of the answers to your questions are somewhere on the lounge and have been tackled. If you haven't already, dive into the Links to Important Hat forum Threads area and immerse yourself. I think I spent my first few months on here just reading, reading, reading. There is a wealth of historical and current knowledge on this forum, and before you know it, you'll be an expert!

Second, I gently suggest you put general questions in the Ask a Question, Get an Answer thread. This way, we have our information more concisely located and have fewer stray threads.

- When measuring the brim, do you measure from on top or underneath (i.e. Hook the tape measure over the sweatband)? I figure it is on top but as I am also trying to establish the optimal brim width for my size head/body and may eventually give in and splurge on a Gannon or other custom, I figure it is worth knowing.

I usually measure on the outside, from the crown to the edge.

- Same question about measuring open crown height; do I measure from the inside or the outside?

Again, I usually measure on the outside, as that is what you are normally looking for, e.g., how high does the crown sit above my head when somebody else is looking at it?

- one two of the old hats I have picked up, there are moth bites or dimples. Is it possible to sand these out or should I send to a specialist?

Moth Damage Repair

- I may trim a Fed IV, not sure the brim works for me. If I do, I would presumably need to sand the edges. Leaving aside the question of whether this is a good idea or not, when I see references to different sand paper weight, e.g. 220, 400, are we talking just "normal" sandpaper you can get in a hardware store or some sort of magical hat sandpaper (and does it need to be vintage sandpaper - sorry, lame joke)?

Regular fine grit sandpaper works fine. However, I will suggest that you wear your Fed IV for a while before trimming. Most of us over time have become much more comfortable with larger brims as we wear our hats daily. I use to think 2 1/4" was about right for me, but now I regularly wear 2 7/8" brims without blinking.

- I want to clean some of the hats I found and have a cheap old one I can test it on. I live in the UK and gather that car panel degreaser (panel wipe) is the closest to the stuff they sell in the US - any U.K. Based people who can confirm?

Not familiar with car panel degreaser, but it doesn't sound like something I would want near my hat.

Look over this thread for more information.

Enjoy your hats and let us know how everything goes!

Thanks for the comprehensive response despite my poor search ability [emoji15], I'll spend more time on the important threads section first...!

The panel wipe would appear to be similar/close to naphtha in the UK.

Will keep working on the learning (and search function! Although getting the right key words is sometimes the tricky part). All the best and thanks again,

Windsock


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[homesicksteve]

Best place to order an Akubra Campdraft from? Everything Australian, the Hattery, Hats by the Hundred, etc? I'd like some insight on customer experience.

'two orders from HatDirect (Hattery) this year.
Awesome customer service both times.

 

[belfastboy]

I went with Everything Aus because their pricing was lower and I am cheap.....it was a very positive experience. Quick shipping to Canada via post.

 

[Bob Roberts]

EA prices are generally better then The Hattery. The Hattery sometimes has better avalibility without a wait. In some cases, The Hattery has a better color selection with the exception of Bluegrass Green which may be an exclusive color at EA. EA also does not offer the Federation. Pretty much all you need to know.

 

[-30-]

The only "plus" for having a wool hat, is that they are Cheap.

Regards,
J T

 

[BobHufford]

Is there a good tutorial for adding a cloth sweat to and shaping a beat-up straw hat?

Still need shaping advice (and if I can size this up a little), but I was inspired by what I found at a flea market in regards to a cloth sweatband. [emoji6]

 

[Bamaboots]

Still need shaping advice (and if I can size this up a little), but I was inspired by what I found at a flea market in regards to a cloth sweatband. [emoji6]

Bob I hope that "Jockey" sweatband was washed before it was attached to the hat.

 

[Redfokker]

Hey, Windsock. First, most of the answers to your questions are somewhere on the lounge and have been tackled. If you haven't already, dive into the Links to Important Hat forum Threads area and immerse yourself. I think I spent my first few months on here just reading, reading, reading. There is a wealth of historical and current knowledge on this forum, and before you know it, you'll be an expert!

Second, I gently suggest you put general questions in the Ask a Question, Get an Answer thread. This way, we have our information more concisely located and have fewer stray threads.

- When measuring the brim, do you measure from on top or underneath (i.e. Hook the tape measure over the sweatband)? I figure it is on top but as I am also trying to establish the optimal brim width for my size head/body and may eventually give in and splurge on a Gannon or other custom, I figure it is worth knowing.

I usually measure on the outside, from the crown to the edge.

- Same question about measuring open crown height; do I measure from the inside or the outside?

Again, I usually measure on the outside, as that is what you are normally looking for, e.g., how high does the crown sit above my head when somebody else is looking at it?

- one two of the old hats I have picked up, there are moth bites or dimples. Is it possible to sand these out or should I send to a specialist?

Moth Damage Repair

- I may trim a Fed IV, not sure the brim works for me. If I do, I would presumably need to sand the edges. Leaving aside the question of whether this is a good idea or not, when I see references to different sand paper weight, e.g. 220, 400, are we talking just "normal" sandpaper you can get in a hardware store or some sort of magical hat sandpaper (and does it need to be vintage sandpaper - sorry, lame joke)?

Regular fine grit sandpaper works fine. However, I will suggest that you wear your Fed IV for a while before trimming. Most of us over time have become much more comfortable with larger brims as we wear our hats daily. I use to think 2 1/4" was about right for me, but now I regularly wear 2 7/8" brims without blinking.

- I want to clean some of the hats I found and have a cheap old one I can test it on. I live in the UK and gather that car panel degreaser (panel wipe) is the closest to the stuff they sell in the US - any U.K. Based people who can confirm?

Not familiar with car panel degreaser, but it doesn't sound like something I would want near my hat.

Look over this thread for more information.

Enjoy your hats and let us know how everything goes!

+1

 

[Frunobulax]

Still need shaping advice (and if I can size this up a little), but I was inspired by what I found at a flea market in regards to a cloth sweatband. [emoji6]

HAHAHAHA!!


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

[homesicksteve]

Hat identity question :

Can anyone tell me which hat Grandad wears in the UK comedy 'Only Fools & Horses' ?

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=i...W90bnTAhXKUlAKHZC3AuwQsAQIMw&biw=1280&bih=631

Thanks in advance.

 

[gtdean48]

Best place to order an Akubra Campdraft from? Everything Australian, the Hattery, Hats by the Hundred, etc? I'd like some insight on customer experience.

Think the Moonstone is exclusive to Hats Direct or it used to be...

 

[Bob Roberts]

Think the Moonstone is exclusive to Hats Direct or it used to be...

True.

 

[EstherWeis]

Bob I hope that "Jockey" sweatband was washed before it was attached to the hat.

Cloth sweats are easy, I advise you to get a good quality rayon/cotton grosgrain. They have a little stretch in them.
If those are hard to find for you I can always send you a bit.

As for the shaping. You will need a block of some kind.
What shape are you thinking about? A boater style can be done with some ingenious cookie tins and cardboard. Flattening the brim is relatively easy, you can iron out straw very quickly. You just need something the keep your size on the break. Straw can be rather stretchy and is very easily pulled out of shape.
This is not the official hatters way obviously, but it will do in a pinch.

Hope that was helpful.

 

[BobHufford]

Cloth sweats are easy...

Hope that was helpful.

It was -- thanks!

 

[1on1]

big high five to all those who responded to my earlier postings. I'm new to hat making and struggling to assemble all the parts I need. This has been the thorniest issue..finding the right type of HDPE plastic to use in visors. Many suggestions from cutting boards to plastics used at the base of purses etc..none of them are thick enough. Yes ive tried PLASTICS companies, and baseball hat makers - they don't have anything as thick and BENDABLE as what you see on this photo.

This piece which i obtained through reverse engineering has the smooth side on one and the textured part on the other, which is what will allow this 2mm thick plastic to bend.

Someone has to make it ----- but who ?
Brgds

 

[AndyR]

I think Kydex might work well for this. It can be purchased in a couple of different thicknesses that I know of. Not certain they would be perfect for you though (too thick?).

It's easy to warm in an oven and form to any shape you want. I think you can search knifemaker supply companies for it. Lots of guys make sheaths and holsters with it.

 

[Michael R.]

I think you're right AndyR , it ought to work easy . To me the original picture looks like fiberglass possibly , with a layer of rubber . It could be a Plastic/Fiberglass blend . Long ago I worked a few years at a place that made custom mix rubber and plastics , and I clearly remember the fiberglass/plastics stuff . One form was made for the federal government DOT , StayMark , the yellow and white lines going down the interstate hwys . @1on1 I think the Kydex would be your best bet , and someone that uses it could cut it and shape it however you want it including the stitching holes , or you could do it yourself . I own a Kydex holster and sheath , and it would be better than fiberglass/plastics coated with rubber for a visor .

 

[Tanker]

Hello All,

My wife and I have finally launched our last failure to launch dependent and we are going on VACTION.

This September we are going to London. Now, I've got to decide upon which hat to bring.

I'm stuck between my gray Adams Majestic and the black Bowler I picked up.

What is the group consensus?