Photos of hatters tools

[TheDane]

How many naive young boys haven't been sent to the tool shop during the first week at the new apprenticeship - just to get a can of bubble-air for spirit levels, a case of punch marks or a new blade for the re-plane? Alan, I think you're an old "steamer punk"

 

[mayserwegener]

Next project!

 

[Lotsahats]

How many naive young boys haven't been sent to the tool shop during the first week at the new apprenticeship - just to get a can of bubble-air for spirit levels, a case of punch marks or a new blade for the re-plane? Alan, I think you're an old "steamer punk"

I recall being sent to fetch a left-handed smoke-shifter and 50' of shore line. I was a naive lad at one point...

 

[alanfgag]

When I worked as a waiter in the Catskills in my teens, some guests told me I had a feebly growing down on my chin. Took me the whole summer to figure it out.

According to the eBay descriptions, I have quite a collection of steam punk hats, but I'm not old... just gently worn.

 

[TheDane]

Next project!

Wow, Steve! Is that the 78 RPM version? Must be a slightly updated version of the lathe, Ralph Peer recorded Carter Family on in August 1927!

At my first job the stagemanager sent a brand new colleague to the tools shop for a bucket of punch marks. More than two hours later he returned with a tin bucket completely covered with punch marks ... supplemented by a quite substantial bill. It was back in the late 70s, and they say the guy in the shop never spoke another word - due to laughter! Sometimes "the fat lady" hits the absolutely right note lol

 

[TheDane]

And sorry, Alan. Of course you're not an old man ... just gently worn. Take it from an old man

 

[John Galt]

How many naive young boys haven't been sent to the tool shop during the first week at the new apprenticeship - just to get a can of bubble-air for spirit levels, a case of punch marks or a new blade for the re-plane? Alan, I think you're an old "steamer punk"

I was a logger as a young man and it was a "bag of choker holes" that the newbies were sent to fetch.


"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[tonyb]

I recall being sent to fetch a left-handed smoke-shifter and 50' of shore line. I was a naive lad at one point...

A science teacher at my high school had an eye-roll provoking habit of sending some poor unsuspecting pimply faced sophomore to the lab down the hall to fetch a fallopian tube. That practice came to a halt when one such acne-afflicted youngster said something to the effect of, "Sure, and then you can put it in your desk drawer, seeings how that's about as close to one as you'll ever get."

 

[John Galt]

[W]ithout a solid, flat surface running from one end of the tool the other, holding the tool down, to keep the blade in the felt, will require a bit more attention on the part of the operator. And without a plate to go under the brim, the blade will cut into whatever work surface you're using.

I've been thinking about this, and may modify to add a heavier handle that slides on the scale. That will address the control issue by putting the handle right over the cutting blade, & also give me something solid to which the blade and plate can attach.



"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[bloc]

My rounding jack prototype. The handle & head of this one are made of hickory. It still needs a little finish sanding, polyurethane, drilling, gluing & screwing, but the structure is all there. It will accept just about any "exacto" type cutting implement, and has a brass scale that goes to about 9 inches. It does not yet have the brass adjusters for cutting dimensional brims, but that may be an option at some point in the future if I develop the methodology or find a machinist who could make them for me at a reasonable price.

I believe that I can make & sell these for $175.00 (which is $100 less than the going rate for the lowest end rounding jacks available elsewhere) without losing money. Your thoughts?

"Faint hat never won fair lady."

Wow, that is very impressive. I have yet to use one, so I can't comment on the precise mechanics of it but to have that skill is a wonderful thing :eusa_clap

 

[bloc]

My neighbour is going to make me a tolliker, a puller down and a something else, can't remember. Happy days!

 

[John Galt]

Wow, that is very impressive. I have yet to use one, so I can't comment on the precise mechanics of it but to have that skill is a wonderful thing :eusa_clap

Thanks, but skill is relative. I am not a machinist so I scavenged the hardware from another device, made the head based on photos, and added the handle as a practical necessity.

There are people who have real skill & art in this area and sell their tools at prices reflecting that fact. I do not hold myself out as approaching that level, or intend to sell at such prices when I have a marketable product. Nutshell: my main skill at work here is actually problem-solving ;-)


"Faint hat never won fair lady."

 

[Hatter4]

John, I still say you did a good job on your rounding jack.I am certain with a little adjustment you will have it thr way you want it.

 

[Hatter4]

I have a question. Is this a hat creaser or what do you think it is? I have several hat creasers and this one is different. It is made out of wood. I got it in with a bunch of blocks that I bought.

 

[alanfgag]

Block to crease a sailor's cap? [huh]

 

[TheDane]

Block for a lady's hat? [huh]

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Guys, what's the best way to clean your vintage blocks and flanges?


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[TheDane]

I first use some dishwash in water. Then I scrub the block/flange with different solvents like den. alcohol, naphta and turpentine - followed by a wash in some dishwash and a thorough rinse. After complete drying I end the restoration process with a sanding and some polyurethane lacquer. It's the most fantastic stuff people use on these items [huh]

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

So polyurethane is okay to use? Withstands the steam and heat during the blocking process? No issues with felt?I'm not a woodworker, so I'm ignorant to that stuff.

I have a sander, so I will sand the blocks that need it most. Is it okay to use filler, as well? If so, are there preferred brands pr types I should consider?


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[John Galt]

Is it okay to use filler, as well? If so, are there preferred brands pr types I should consider?


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A&A, I have not even begun to clean most of my blocks, so appreciate your question & Ole's answer. As for filler, I generally make my own for most projects with a good wood glue and sawdust from my sander's dust bag. This is a good way to go when you want to match the wood (which is why I started doing it when working with some mahogany), but it also seems to result in a better patch, which is why I keep doing it.

[edit] Incidentally, I would (and will) sand them by hand to mitigate against the risk of flat spots.

"Faint hat never won fair lady."