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Installing Wind Cords
- Thread starter Stoney
- Start date
ManofKent
My Mail is Forwarded Here
- Messages
- 3,039
- Location
- United Kingdom
Loz - they look good, but are they more for aesthetics than use? I can't imagine those brims are that much of a wind catcher.
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TheDane
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,670
- Location
- Copenhagen, Denmark
If you like your hat, I would recommend using elastic. The old Borsalinos with elastic I have - and have seen - all hold up nicely. If you're satisfied with a lifespan of 50 years, elastic shouldn't pose a problem.
Brother cavefish
Banned
- Messages
- 468
- Location
- San Pedro
oh , i was wondering what those little buttons were for , i just thought it was a bobble or something on the headband
I'm not sure they make elastic like they used to. There's also the added problem of finding elastic to match the blue ribbon I put on one of them. I've found some 1mm rayon cord, I'm eyeing for the job.
TheDane
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,670
- Location
- Copenhagen, Denmark
Yes, that can be said about almost anything. Decades ago elastic had a tendency to rot, but better materials make it last a lot longer today. Rayon is hardly made nowadays. I know of only one company, that makes grosgrain ribbon from real rayon - and it can't be bought over the web. What is called "rayon" today is made from synthetic fibres, and it has very different properties. Not much is, what it used to be.
I prefer elastic, because it doesn't put so much strain to the felt - and because I live in windy condition and actually use my windcords. When the hat blows off your head, it gains a lot of speed, before the string is stretched to it's full length. At this time the acceleration stops in a split-second - almost like the tip of a whip - and all the stored energy is released with a snap. The old braided rayon cords were very strong, and they will often take a piece out of the felt, before they break. Been there ... tried that ... didn't like it!
I've recently followed this very useful guide to install a wind trolley on one of my custom hats. I'll try to get pics up soon, but just wanted to let people know of an alternative to elastic cord.
I used something called nanocord, it's a form of paracord, but thinner with a lower breaking strain. I wanted to be sure it would hold up to the job, and so I tested it versus the windcord on an Akubra I own but rarely wear, it has approximately 3 times the breaking strain of the akubra cord (so it won't break in a strong gust). It isn't as soft to the touch as Akubra cord, it feels quite coarse, but I rarely fondly my wind cord so this isn't an issue for me. It has no elasticity, so I suggest you use the advice given in this tutorial and attach the cord to a button on the inside of the hat, or you might loose a chunk of felt if the hat is blown off. What I like most about it is that is comes in a very large variety of colours, so there's a pretty good chance you can find one that matches your hat.
I can't find a link to the manufacturers website, but I've included a link to an American retailer below where you can check out the colours, though this stuff is available all over the place (ebay/etsy/google searches etc).
http://paracordgalaxy.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=130
rclark
Call Me a Cab
- Messages
- 2,275
- Location
- Central Texas
I know this issue has been addressed before, but for the life of me I cannot find the thread that shows how to attach a wind cord to a hat. I know I've seen someone post a link to it recently but have spent the last hour searching for that link. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.
theoldnorthwest
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 91
- Messages
- 19,465
- Location
- Funkytown, USA
I just make a little u-shaped loop and throw 5 or 6 stitches around it just below and behind the bow. You have to lift the bow up a bit to hide it.
Fed in a Fedora
Practically Family
- Messages
- 739
- Location
- Dixie, USA
You might put a little patch of leather inside to keep from tearing through the felt. That is a lot of stress for that one small area.
- Messages
- 19,465
- Location
- Funkytown, USA
That's a very good idea. I never warmed up to the idea of using a button, but I like that!
ConsiderMeMilesDavis
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 193
- Location
- Left Coast, USA
As of this week, Optimo will not.
Any other vendor suggestions for the lazy-inclined?
Hercule
Practically Family
- Messages
- 953
- Location
- Western Reserve (Cleveland)
It really isn't a difficult project to do yourself. Think about it, by buying a wind trolley and installing it yourself you're already doing much of the work yourself.
redhawks2
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 171
- Location
- Long Beach, CA
Hey Stoney, can you re-post your tutorial on installing a wind trolley? The pictures have disappeared due to the age of the post I suspect.
Thanks!
Thanks!
