BigSleep
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 295
- Location
- La Mesa CA
How does one use those brim-ring-wood-thingys (that's the technical term I'm sure.) I see for sale with hat blocks?
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Hat block brim forms
- Thread starter BigSleep
- Start date
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Brad Bowers
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,187
Hi Big Sleep,
It's called a flange, and here's a photo of one in action:
The hat sits upside down inside the hole, and the brim rests on top of the flange. In this photo, I've covered the hat with a cotton cloth and cinched it down tight. Then, I've sprayed water on the cloth to keep it wet. A hot iron is run over the brim, with particular attention paid to the very edge, as the edge has to shrink to conform to the curl of the flange. If the edge of the hat is wrinkled, it's not finished flanging! Keep the cloth wet so a good steam comes off of it to let you know you're doing it correctly.
There are flange stands to hold the flange and protect the hat, but I've just got the flange resting on two indentical sized blocks that are taller than the hat.
Brad
It's called a flange, and here's a photo of one in action:
The hat sits upside down inside the hole, and the brim rests on top of the flange. In this photo, I've covered the hat with a cotton cloth and cinched it down tight. Then, I've sprayed water on the cloth to keep it wet. A hot iron is run over the brim, with particular attention paid to the very edge, as the edge has to shrink to conform to the curl of the flange. If the edge of the hat is wrinkled, it's not finished flanging! Keep the cloth wet so a good steam comes off of it to let you know you're doing it correctly.
There are flange stands to hold the flange and protect the hat, but I've just got the flange resting on two indentical sized blocks that are taller than the hat.
Brad
BigSleep
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 295
- Location
- La Mesa CA
Cool!
Thanks for the lesson.
I just bought a couple off ebay to experiment with.
Thanks for the lesson.
I just bought a couple off ebay to experiment with.
great explanation
The first time I loaded this thread the picture did not show. I read the description of how to use the flange and tried my best to envision it. I reloaded the page and the picture showed up that time... and THEN I understood your explanation! Yep, a picture is worth ### of words!
The first time I loaded this thread the picture did not show. I read the description of how to use the flange and tried my best to envision it. I reloaded the page and the picture showed up that time... and THEN I understood your explanation! Yep, a picture is worth ### of words!
GentlemanFarmer
Practically Family
- Messages
- 520
Thanks so much for the picture and explanation.
I'd love to obtain a flange of my own as well as a block. I see them made of hardwood. I know about the Hat Shaper for crowns. They also have the Add-a-Brim that supposedly shapes brims. For both it's either $33 or 35 (depending on size) + shipping.
Does any one have any experience with the Hat Shaper system?
I'd love to obtain a flange of my own as well as a block. I see them made of hardwood. I know about the Hat Shaper for crowns. They also have the Add-a-Brim that supposedly shapes brims. For both it's either $33 or 35 (depending on size) + shipping.
Does any one have any experience with the Hat Shaper system?
Wolfmanjack
Practically Family
- Messages
- 547
Brad Bowers said:
Brad, Thank you VERY much for the photo and explanation about the use of a brim flange. I recently won one of these, together with a block, on eBay. NOW I have a clear understanding of how to put it to use!
Many thanks,
