new member-Hat lover-consumate DIY-er

[macruadhi]

I consider myself a DIYer when it comes to everything! Hats are no exception. I started out making my own canvas/muslin flop hat a couple of years ago and have steamed hats since I was a teen, but mostly because malleable felt is neat. I have a Bollman fedora now that was gotten from a thrift store and I have had for years. It has been crushed, had the creases steamed out, crushed again and left that way for a few years, perhaps even left under the box that crushed it. I now have it mostly back to normal, but a few dents remain.

Short of taking it to a "Professional" (that means I have to spend $$$$) has anyone tried making their own blocks, or found a suitable substitute for a block? I believe the crown just needs to be held in the proper shape whilst it dries and cools.

 

[David Conwill]

There is at least one thread somewhere hearabouts regarding constructing one's own block. As I recall, some members laminated blocks of hardwood and finished them with spar varnish. Choice of wood was critical, so as not to end up with sap melting out during the steaming, I thought the wood of choice was poplar, but I'm not 100% certain of that. Also, older hat blocks come up on eBay with some frequency and don't seem to be too terribly expensive.

I too am a DIYer, or at least a fan of DIYers. Hats, however, have thus far eluded me and I'm too poor to experiment much. Though I suppose I could afford to rehab the smaller sizes.

-Dave

 

[ken100]

Blocks

Hi Macruah.... ur Macraud..... ur Mac oh you know who you are, Im a newby too, welcome this is a cool spot to drop anchor, one of my clients is an old time hat block maker and I think I remember him saying that pear wood or poplar were the choice timbers, I plan to make some for display and hat size purposes, I plan to get 2 inch or 50mm square stock, glue them up, attack with a rasp then the linisher. Im thinking of finishing with shelac.
Ken

 

[indycop]

Hello and welcome to the lounge! Where in Tn. Are you? If you are anywhere near Memphis give majormoore a shout. He would be a great resource for you.
As far as making your own block just search for hatblocks on the search function. I know there are threads but I am typing from a blackberry this morning so I can't link them, sorry. There is also www.hatshapers.com for a cheap alternative if you want to go that route. They have been used with success.

 

[RBH]

Welcome and keep us imformed on your success!

 

[Jauntyone]

Blockheads unite!!

I have created what I call my "H.B.S.", i.e. "Home Blocking Station", using a piece of plywood and lots of Das modelling clay. The stuff is great and dries rock-hard. It can be sanded and resists heat. You can customize your blaock to fit your exact head shape, in my case an extra extra long oval. My block and flange work just fine; the only drawback is that they tend to leave white dust on the felt and hats require brushing after a block/flange. I might be able to coat it with shellac, but for now I'll leave things as they are.
I propose a new club, the Blockheads, composed of those whose hat obsession has driven them to make their own blocks and flanges!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/Jauntyone_2008/day166.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/Jauntyone_2008/day162.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/Jauntyone_2008/day161.jpg
Sorry for the bad lighting, these photos were taken in my attic.

 

[suitedcboy]

Jaunty,
WOW, nice flange and block. No longer is that area of your home "the attic". It is now a hat maker's workshop.

 

[macruadhi]

Here is the afore mentioned abused hat

Here is the rear of the hat. Someone has done something to raise the fibers. I plan on sanding it.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JLqTrWVAUaKeuFd3zGAHwA"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_nQN2g9z26f4/STdJVfaAPdI/AAAAAAAANh0/xsKFxr_LoO4/s144/100_3264.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/macruadhi/Hat">hat</a></td></tr></table>


The front, I really do need to clean the band don't I?
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/z-4gyvCwy-9s9at8MIk_Rw"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_nQN2g9z26f4/STdJWGaXyyI/AAAAAAAANiE/sz9jrhckAP0/s144/100_3266.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/macruadhi/Hat">hat</a></td></tr></table>

And from the side: I plan on re-dyeing it the same or darker brown. Looks as though some one has spilt bleach on it in places.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UAeiIWb4dhbpyd89ooTGfQ"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_nQN2g9z26f4/STdJV8plSiI/AAAAAAAANh8/jeOmUbhwKcQ/s144/100_3265.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/macruadhi/Hat">hat</a></td></tr></table>

It is my all around knock about hat. As I said, I got it from the Salvation Army or the Goodwill years ago. It is covered it lint and pet hair, (unavoidable) and has a mysteriously mis-cut brim, it looks a bit wobbly in places. Made by Bollman.