Phoenix Hat Company

[humanshoes]

That's great news, Rick! Did JW's family keep his business going?

As CWV replied, JW's is still up and running. I don't know what relationship Raymond had to the business or the family, but he's the guy who seems to be running the show right now.

 

[humanshoes]

Rick, I will be curious to hear how you like using the machine. Glad to see you have the correct presser foot for it, was that purchased from Tennessee Attachment too? Mine cost me a small fortune and I got it form the folks that had been manufacturing the ASM machine.

Personally I found that I don't get the stitching as close to the break line as I would like. It usually sews higher on the tape than I would like. To me also felt like it counteracts the belling of the sweat some, which I did not like. Maybe it is just me and how I am using it; your mileage may vary. When I visited Art's shop a year ago he preferred to sew the sweat in by hand even though he has a vintage Singer 107 for putting the sweat in. I just put a sweatband in the other day I did that one by hand. I have two more hats lined up and I will give the ASM machine another, maybe I just need to do some adjustments.

My attachment and presser foot both came from Tennessee Attachment Co. Pricey, to be sure, but excellent quality custom work. I can't speak to the actual operation of the machine just yet as I'm building a custom table for it and I won't have it up and running for a few weeks yet. One thing you can bet the farm, though, for the money I invested in it I'm going to make it work one damn way or another. Supposedly, the factory that makes them shut down and it I didn't want to take the chance of not being able to find one later on. Another motivating factor for me is the cost. Mike Moore informed me that the cost of these machines has increased dramatically over the past few years with another $500 increase expected for next year. It got down to spending a big pile of money now or spending a bigger pile of money later. At any rate, I'll definitely compare notes with you when it goes online.

 

[T Jones]

As CWV replied, JW's is still up and running. I don't know what relationship Raymond had to the business or the family, but he's the guy who seems to be running the show right now.

Hey, btw, after all this time having the rounding jack that I got from you sometime back, I finally broke it out and used it on a conversion that I'm working on. It works great! I'll have more on it later when I finish the conversion. It not only works great, but it also looks great. I display it right next to the block that Rockwater made for me. In fact, both of those pieces look so nice that I almost hate using them! But yeah, it definitely gets the job done!

 

[humanshoes]

Hey, btw, after all this time having the rounding jack that I got from you sometime back, I finally broke it out and used it on a conversion that I'm working on. It works great! I'll have more on it later when I finish the conversion. It not only works great, but it also looks great. I display it right next to the block that Rockwater made for me. In fact, both of those pieces look so nice that I almost hate using them! But yeah, it definitely gets the job done!

Thanks T. It's good to know the rounding jack is working out for you. I hope it gives you many, many years of good service.

 

[T Jones]

Thanks T. It's good to know the rounding jack is working out for you. I hope it gives you many, many years of good service.

I actually do more looking at it than I do using it. I hate getting it dirty!

 

[RJR]

I actually do more looking at it than I do using it. I hate getting it dirty!

 

[humanshoes]

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish a very Merry Christmas to all the "mad" hat folks out there who make the Fedora Lounge an extremely cool place to hang out. To quote the Mad Hatter himself, “You're entirely bonkers, but I'll tell you a secret, all the best people are.”. I hope the holidays bring you all peace and joy and that the new year brings you everything your hearts desire.

 

[Woodtroll]

And a merry Christmas to you and yours, Rick. Thanks for the early Christmas presents you made for me; I am enjoying them very much!

 

[humanshoes]

And a merry Christmas to you and yours, Rick. Thanks for the early Christmas presents you made for me; I am enjoying them very much!

Thank you Regan. Warms my heart to hear it. Your hat block is gathering dust, waiting for the next big head.

 

[Woodtroll]

Thank you Regan. Warms my heart to hear it. Your hat block is gathering dust, waiting for the next big head.

When I decide I "need" another hat, you will certainly be the first one to know. I don't want that block to dry out and crack from lack of use! If I could convince my Chief to let me wear a fedora with my uniform, I would definitely need another hat, in navy felt.

 

[Rmccamey]

Merry Christmas Rick.

 

[humanshoes]

Merry Christmas Rick.

And to you and yours Randy.

 

[DesertDan]

Merry Christmas Rick!

 

[humanshoes]

Merry Christmas Rick!

I hope you all had a great Christmas Dan.

 

[nikitah]

Thanks to Rick for these amazing tools!

 

[humanshoes]

Thanks to Rick for these amazing tools!


View attachment 150042

Glad you received them in good shape Nick. Happy Hatting!

 

[DesertDan]

The hat arrived safe and sound. It looks fantastic and fits perfectly, well done!
Rick is a pleasure to work with and his work is top notch!

 

[humanshoes]

The hat arrived safe and sound. It looks fantastic and fits perfectly, well done!
Rick is a pleasure to work with and his work is top notch!

View attachment 150328

I'm happy you received your hat in good shape Dan. I always breath a sigh of relief when a long distance custom hat actually fits as planned. Wear it in good health my friend!

 

[Rmccamey]

What is the color combo on this one, Rick? I want to keep this in mind for the "next" hat.

The hat arrived safe and sound. It looks fantastic and fits perfectly, well done!
Rick is a pleasure to work with and his work is top notch!

View attachment 150328

 

[humanshoes]

What is the color combo on this one, Rick? I want to keep this in mind for the "next" hat.

This one is a Sand western weight 50/50 body Randy. Dan and I decided to go with a narrower 1/2" silverbelly ribbon to better achieve the bowtie/campaign style bow. It's basically my "Arizona" hat with a different ribbon treatment.