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Phoenix Hat Company

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
I'm guessing you are referring to the one you did for me a few months ago? I had nearly forgotten that had happened. Thanks again for sending pics of what you were referring to. It was unfortunate that I had to wait just a little longer for a new hat body, but the wait was well worth it in the long run. Thank you for having high standards!

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Yours was one of them Ryan. Oddly, I've only had trouble so far with the granite bodies. I might be picky, but I don't feel I can afford to have one strike against me before I even come to the plate.
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
I have a nice, modern production set of hat brim curling shackles from JW Hats in Utah. They're good, sturdy tools and more than enough to meet my needs for a lifetime. That being said, I have a deep love and appreciation for the old things and have been searching for the "real deal" for many years with no success. Needless to say, when this little beauty showed up on ebay I couldn't hit the BIN button fast enough.
Antique Curling Shackle.JPG
 

T Jones

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,786
Location
Central Ohio
I have a nice, modern production set of hat brim curling shackles from JW Hats in Utah. They're good, sturdy tools and more than enough to meet my needs for a lifetime. That being said, I have a deep love and appreciation for the old things and have been searching for the "real deal" for many years with no success. Needless to say, when this little beauty showed up on ebay I couldn't hit the BIN button fast enough.
View attachment 176767
Nice! Really nice! I'm looking for some of those, myself.
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
Nice! Really nice! I'm looking for some of those, myself.
I highly recommend the shackles from the good folks at JW. The set includes 1/8", 3/8", and 5/8" which pretty much covers all the bases. Not cheap, I paid $300 some years ago, but they're well built cast iron tools that should last many lifetimes. Btw, I'm looking forward to seeing your first scratch made hat.
JW Curling Shackles.JPG
 

T Jones

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,786
Location
Central Ohio
I highly recommend the shackles from the good folks at JW. The set includes 1/8", 3/8", and 5/8" which pretty much covers all the bases. Not cheap, I paid $300 some years ago, but they're well built cast iron tools that should last many lifetimes. Btw, I'm looking forward to seeing your first scratch made hat.
View attachment 176768
$300 really isn't that bad considering how long they'll last and that a hatter will make his money back many times over. Thanks Rick. Those are some real nice looking shackles. I definitely need some.

I have some hat making tools coming sometime in the near future, so, hopefully, making hats from scratch is something I can catch onto. I'm always impressed with what you create.
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
What width brim would you use each on?
I'm not sure there's any set formula for brim width to curl size Jack. I guess it just depends on your personal preference. I'm still pretty much a rookie in the brim curling department. Hell, it took me awhile just to figure out that the shackles would subtract double their size in brim real estate.
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
$300 really isn't that bad considering how long they'll last and that a hatter will make his money back many times over. Thanks Rick. Those are some real nice looking shackles. I definitely need some.

I have some hat making tools coming sometime in the near future, so, hopefully, making hats from scratch is something I can catch onto. I'm always impressed with what you create.
It isn't bad Terry, considering it's a one time investment, but I'm a cheap ba***rd so you can bet I tried every homespun method I could think of before I finally broke down.
 
Messages
19,001
Location
Central California
I highly recommend the shackles from the good folks at JW. The set includes 1/8", 3/8", and 5/8" which pretty much covers all the bases. Not cheap, I paid $300 some years ago, but they're well built cast iron tools that should last many lifetimes. Btw, I'm looking forward to seeing your first scratch made hat.
View attachment 176768

What size did you use on the Arizona? Just for my future reference.


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T Jones

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,786
Location
Central Ohio
It isn't bad Terry, considering it's a one time investment, but I'm a cheap ba***rd so you can bet I tried every homespun method I could think of before I finally broke down.
Ha! Guess I'll skip the homespun method and get straight to the investment part! That's the good thing about learning from someone else's experience!
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
Special order for a large, straight-side, brass foot, oak and antler foot tolliker. Also wanted it configured to press against the crown base as well as the brim break. Dude! (says I) Do you want me to put a motor on it, too? Anyway, with a solid 1/4" brass foot plate and weighing in at a hefty 12.8 ounces, this tool should whip that felt into submission in short order.
Brass Tolliker.JPG
Bras Foot Tolliker.JPG
 

kltrns

New in Town
Messages
1
Location
Canada
It's the lighting on fire that would be the most worrisome part to me.
Speaking of this, does anyone know what the best method is for burning felts? I've tried with alcohol and it just doesn't seem to want to light up. Also, is setting hats on fire such an important part? None of my old hatting books mention it, but I know it's good for sizing and getting rid of any dust and fuzzies. Just curious to know what people spray on their hats to get the fire going? Thanks guys! :)
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
Speaking of this, does anyone know what the best method is for burning felts? I've tried with alcohol and it just doesn't seem to want to light up. Also, is setting hats on fire such an important part? None of my old hatting books mention it, but I know it's good for sizing and getting rid of any dust and fuzzies. Just curious to know what people spray on their hats to get the fire going? Thanks guys! :)
99% Alcohol. You definitely won't have any problem getting this stuff to fire.
https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Isopropyl-Alcohol-percent-Pint/dp/B00ZCCYTWG
 
Messages
18,152
Special order for a large, straight-side, brass foot, oak and antler foot tolliker. Also wanted it configured to press against the crown base as well as the brim break. Dude! (says I) Do you want me to put a motor on it, too? Anyway, with a solid 1/4" brass foot plate and weighing in at a hefty 12.8 ounces, this tool should whip that felt into submission in short order.
View attachment 176921 View attachment 176922
Beautiful work of art, Rick!
 

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