Bahner Hatmachines

[mayserwegener]

http://www.hatmachines.com/default.asp?lg=gb

Catalog (new machines)

http://www.hatmachines.com/katalog.asp?lg=gb

Used Machines (generally reconditioned)

http://www.hatmachines.com/lagerliste.asp?lg=gb

Used Machines (not reconditioned)

http://www.hatmachines.com/occasion.asp?lg=gb

 

[Dreispitz]

http://www.hatmachines.com/default.asp?lg=gb

Catalog (new machines)

http://www.hatmachines.com/katalog.asp?lg=gb

Used Machines (generally reconditioned)

http://www.hatmachines.com/lagerliste.asp?lg=gb

Used Machines (not reconditioned)

http://www.hatmachines.com/occasion.asp?lg=gb

Good Lord! How did you come across this!

Interesting is their large scale of second hand machines. Would be interesting to know, if the the companies of which the old machinery is for sale, invested in new equippement or simply went bankrupt or stopped busines.

 

[barrowjh]

Thanks for that post - I recognized several of the machines (type of machine, not make/model) that were in use at the Winchester factory.

 

[mayserwegener]

Good Lord! How did you come across this!

Interesting is their large scale of second hand machines. Would be interesting to know, if the the companies of which the old machinery is for sale, invested in new equippement or simply went bankrupt or stopped busines.

Dreispitz, I just Googled filzmaschine and Bahner (Hatmachine) popped up.

I believe Mayser used / uses Bahner machines. Maybe some of this used equipment is from them?

Manufacturing (snippet from Mayser site)

The mixing drum
The fine animal hair, how hare and rabbit hair is mixed in a mixing drum. 50 kgs of the different sorts can become mess-whirled by the special construction at only 5 minutes.

The blowengine
In the blowengine the hair material is freed from all dirt parts and beard hair, is torn, is combed and is blown again in a mess, since it appears as the finest gauze.

Also I have seen Heinz mentioned but from this site it looks like it is really Heinze. Other companies listed in Used Machines (not reconditioned) Hammer, Dolmer, Mezzera, Michelagnoli, Pribil, Singer, Pfaff, Dürrkopp Adler, Fink, Herdt, and Dresdensia.

Maybe you could visit Bahner? I am sure they have a wealth of information past / present.

To me what is especially interesting is their velour related machinery.

234 Velour Brushing Machine

Brushing of wet velours

- used in: frontshop
- material: wool,hair,fur
- condition of material: raw, finished
- used for headwear: mens, ladies, children

314 Velour Finishing Machine

Surface finishing of hats / bodies in different qualities, several tools available

- used in: backshop
- material: wool,hair,fur
- condition of material: finished
- used for headwear: mens, ladies, children

 

[Art Fawcett]

Bahner is actually one of the last places on earth you can get these machines. I have friends that have done biz with them and are known to be good people to work with.

 

[Dreispitz]

Hello,

I just did a bit of research on the internet concerning German felt manufacturers. The only ones, I found, were those producing technical felt for all kinds of applications, but hats.

As far, as I know, there are very few manufacturers remaining in Europe that still make good quality hat felts. Most of which are in south-eastern europe, like TONAK and some companies in Poland and ex USSR. The biggest problem, today is the sourcing of raw material, since Chinese felters buy everything, they can get hold of.

It is going to be interesting when the little spark of increasing US and European demand for hats continues over the coming years.

Hope, the market will go for high qulality, like in the old days. I recently recieved a vintage Mac Lachlan beaver Homburg. I´d really wish such great quality felt to be available, again, in future.

By the way, I do admire your work, Art!!!!

 

[mayserwegener]

Hello,

I just did a bit of research on the internet concerning German felt manufacturers. The only ones, I found, were those producing technical felt for all kinds of applications, but hats.

As far, as I know, there are very few manufacturers remaining in Europe that still make good quality hat felts. Most of which are in south-eastern europe, like TONAK and some companies in Poland and ex USSR. The biggest problem, today is the sourcing of raw material, since Chinese felters buy everything, they can get hold of.

It is going to be interesting when the little spark of increasing US and European demand for hats continues over the coming years.

Hope, the market will go for high qulality, like in the old days. I recently recieved a vintage Mac Lachlan beaver Homburg. I´d really wish such great quality felt to be available, again, in future.

By the way, I do admire your work, Art!!!!

I think there is also activity in Slovenia too. It would be interesting to know what happened with Mayser regarding felt production. I recently purchased a Mayser hat with very nice velour felt (not Tonak like) and was told the felt was made by Mayser. Some of this used equipment might also be coming out of the East Germany(factories that ran during DDR times).

 

[Dreispitz]

I think there is also activity in Slovenia too. It would be interesting to know what happened with Mayser regarding felt production. I recently purchased a Mayser hat with very nice velour felt (not Tonak like) and was told the felt was made by Mayser. Some of this used equipment might also be coming out of the East Germany(factories that ran during DDR times).

Mayser still is into felts. At least they produce technical felts for industrial applications. I sent them an e-mail, asking, if they still do the felts for hats, themselves. Wonder, if I will ge a reply.

 

[cookie]

Cone of Silence Moves Continents!

http://www.hatmachines.com/detailphoto.asp?lg=gb&art=40

 

[Akubra Man]

The new Hair Mixing Drum looks positively medieval ... that is a very interesting link ... thanks

 

[mayserwegener]

Mayser still is into felts. At least they produce technical felts for industrial applications. I sent them an e-mail, asking, if they still do the felts for hats, themselves. Wonder, if I will ge a reply.

It will be interesting if you hear anything from Mayser. It might be worth contacting Bahner too. I wonder if they supply felting / hat machines to Tonak?

Also the photos in the Used Machines (not reconditioned) section were definitely taken at a large hat making facility that has shut down.