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Photos of hatters tools

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Oliver, this is my favorite hat tool, I think, after way too many teapot adventures. My big teapot is always on the stovetop and seems to get greasy from being there. Can't guess how many times I've cursed it after getting grease on a hat I was steaming.

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Old steamer:

b25beccdcf1bf09ec0fa8f463a82937d.jpg
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Incidentally, I just read Tonyb's post about the gold foil initial machines, and believe the one I just posted is the very same item he mentioned.
 

besdor

Vendor/Sponsor
Messages
1,727
Location
up north
That is some big flange. Ive never seen a 5 inch flange that was that old. i wonder what it was used for ?
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
That is some big flange. Ive never seen a 5 inch flange that was that old. i wonder what it was used for ?

Hats!


Seriously, it could be used for a cowboy hat, or a woman's summer hat or derby hat. At size 7 3/8, and with a 5 inch brim, I'll guess that his particular flange was probably used to make Tom Mix hats back in the day.

c37cebc76a422c7da12c7faef066796a.jpg


If it was size 8, I'd guess it was used for to make hats for Dan Blocker.

c3548f6b32fb35e05378dc022a074b94.jpg
 

kingrat

One of the Regulars
Messages
121
Location
idaho
hats!


Seriously, it could be used for a cowboy hat, or a woman's summer hat or derby hat. At size 7 3/8, and with a 5 inch brim, i'll guess that his particular flange was probably used to make tom mix hats back in the day.

c37cebc76a422c7da12c7faef066796a.jpg


if it was size 8, i'd guess it was used for to make hats for dan blocker.

c3548f6b32fb35e05378dc022a074b94.jpg

a derby?
 

humanshoes

One Too Many
Messages
1,446
Location
Tennessee
Good you see you back in action here JG. Great looking hat rack! As far as favorite tools go, it's hard to beat the Jiffy steamer. I now use my teapot just for making tea as it was intended. My latest acquisition, though, is my hands down favorite. I didn't think I would ever spring for a walking foot sewing machine until I came across this Davis High Arm Vertical Feed machine made in 1887. There are no lower feed dogs and the material is moved by the presser foot and the needle at the same time. This machine has made binding hats a breeze instead of the pain in the ass it used to be. DSC00839.jpg DSC00737.jpg
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Good you see you back in action here JG. Great looking hat rack! As far as favorite tools go, it's hard to beat the Jiffy steamer. I now use my teapot just for making tea as it was intended. My latest acquisition, though, is my hands down favorite. I didn't think I would ever spring for a walking foot sewing machine until I came across this Davis High Arm Vertical Feed machine made in 1887. There are no lower feed dogs and the material is moved by the presser foot and the needle at the same time. This machine has made binding hats a breeze instead of the pain in the ass it used to be.

Thanks HS. It's good to be back. That's a beauty of a machine! Nice hat too!
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Another hatter's tool I had not seen until I picked these up - kind of a poor man's conformateur- are these hard 1/8" + thick cardboard head sizers in all 4 ovals. They range from 6 3/4 to 7 7/8. Should be useful in making band blocks someday when I've got the time.

c80a987c5afd958d6889c6ab76cd61df.jpg


The fella I bought them from said they came from a military hat shop, and were made by Winchester hats or Beaver Brand (when they were wholly owned).
 

Joao Encarnado

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,776
Location
Portugal
Another hatter's tool I had not seen until I picked these up - kind of a poor man's conformateur- are these hard 1/8" + thick cardboard head sizers in all 4 ovals. They range from 6 3/4 to 7 7/8. Should be useful in making band blocks someday when I've got the time.

The fella I bought them from said they came from a military hat shop, and were made by Winchester hats or Beaver Brand (when they were wholly owned).
Wouldn't those be used on a press to flat the brim on drill hats?
 

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Don't think so. That task is best done with other tools, and not cardboard. I'm confident these are sizers as represented.
 
Last edited:

John Galt

Vendor
Messages
2,080
Location
Chico
Hoss hat didn't had a 5" brim, it should be less than 4" more than 3" (maybe more to the 3" side).
The crown yes, it's a nice big fat crown!

Thanks Joao. I was joking, actually. I didn't look it up, just assumed a hat on a head & body that big would have a pretty wide brim or it would look really silly.
 

Blackthorn

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,567
Location
Oroville
Another hatter's tool I had not seen until I picked these up - kind of a poor man's conformateur- are these hard 1/8" + thick cardboard head sizers in all 4 ovals. They range from 6 3/4 to 7 7/8. Should be useful in making band blocks someday when I've got the time.

c80a987c5afd958d6889c6ab76cd61df.jpg


The fella I bought them from said they came from a military hat shop, and were made by Winchester hats or Beaver Brand (when they were wholly owned).
Interesting, that's a great idea.
 

Moviehats

One of the Regulars
Messages
205
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
"Seriously, it could be used for a cowboy hat, or a woman's summer hat or derby hat. At size 7 3/8, and with a 5 inch brim, I'll guess that his particular flange was probably used to make Tom Mix hats back in the day.


If it was size 8, I'd guess it was used for to make hats for Dan Blocker. "

Maybe a Sombrero?
 

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