How to re-stiffen a (Federation) hat after a soaking

[Mr. 'H']

Hi folks,

I recently stretched and re-bashed my Federation Delux after it has got quite tight on my head. I used my vintage hat stretcher (sans heat) and the results were great. Because I wasn't just stretching the sweatband area, but rather the whole hat, there is virtually no taper still. The re-bash was into a diamond crease, with a moderate pinch (the divots an inch apart) which would be a favorite shape of mine. I did the re-shape with the aid of lots of water and steam.

Here's my question: the brim of that hat (which on a Federation is exceptionally wide) has become very, very floppy. Annoyingly so - you walk head long into a wind, and the "snap brim" is flapping away like a sheet of paper. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to re-stiffen the brim? What is the deal nowadays with shellac? Is it still around? I know it is a word that is used metaphorically ("gave them a good shellacing").

Any advice?

Here's the strecher (1940s):

 

[RBH]

I have had a lot of luck with this
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2090/scouthf6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

here is one place to find it ....I am sure there are several including some of our fine folk here on the lounge.


http://www.sheplers.com/item.cfm?DI...age=category&groupCode=0&SOURCE=DEALTIME_Hats

Hope this helps you out..

p.s. cool strecher

 

[Mr Maltby]

Hey. dont be lazy, i want to know the answer too! come on guys!

 

[BigSho]

The scout hat products work very very well. I dont sell them but I use them quite often, and I am nver anything but satisfied.

Jeremy
Hats Plus Ltd.

 

[Mr. 'H']

Thanks for the link RBH, I think I'll order that product.

To the rest of yous loungers:

"Is nobody here interested in hat threads anymore?!"

[huh]

Maybe we should rename the Fedora Lounge the "Observation Bar Lounge".

 

[melankomas]

Thanks for the link RBH, I think I'll order that product.

To the rest of yous loungers:

"Is nobody here interested in hat threads anymore?!"

[huh]

a thousand apologies! i didn't know, and i thought such a response would be less than constructive.

 

[Mr. 'H']

lol lol lol LOL - good one!

 

[Dinerman]

what a stretcher.
yow.

 

[Feraud]

You can purchase shellac in spray form or mix it yourself from flakes.

 

[deanglen]

Bought a $9 can of spray shellac at a paint store today, sprayed two hats when I got home and they're both perfect! Identical to the Open Road I own in terms of stiffness. Saved shipping costs buying locally, and it worked fine.
And melonkomas, you've nothing for which you need to apologize. All of us spread threads now and then with replies we post. I'm sure Mr. H meant no offense.

dean

 

[SMCK]

wow what a stretcher!

Mr H ,I agree with Dinerman, wow what a stretcher. Do you perhaps have a hat shop?

 

[Mr. 'H']

Mr H ,I agree with Dinerman, wow what a stretcher. Do you perhaps have a hat shop?

Hi Mr. Mc., unfortunately I don't. The stretcher was an Ebay score. The last hat shop proper in Dublin was Bill Coyle's on Augier Street. What part of Ireland do you hail from?

 

[The Wingnut]

Maybe we should rename the Fedora Lounge the "Observation Bar Lounge".

Ever notice that I don't post in the Observation Bar at all?


...I had it switched off. Couldn't stand the noise.

 

[SMCK]

In reply to you Mr H, I live about 40 miles north of you. This summer I got a fed dl myself. Not worn it much yet.It takes me a while to get used to something new, but I know I will. How long did yours take to soften up?

 

[Mr. 'H']

Ever notice that I don't post in the Observation Bar at all?


...I had it switched off. Couldn't stand the noise.

10-4, I hear ya', brother.

 

[Mr. 'H']

In reply to you Mr H, I live about 40 miles north of you. This summer I got a fed dl myself. Not worn it much yet.It takes me a while to get used to something new, but I know I will. How long did yours take to soften up?

O, 'bout a few months, and a couple of walks in downpours. Feels free to really thump the hell out of the hat and then reshape it, it will really soften up.