Photos of hatters tools

[Garrett]

I'm not sure how you could get the fabric components and seams to expand an inch and a quarter without shredding and tearing. I've coaxed a few hats up a size. 3-4 sizes is going to be a stretch.

If I remember right, you were able to get the Kingly up 2 sizes

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?23684-The-Cap-Faction&p=1367675&viewfull=1#post1367675

 

[TheDane]

Dane, I noticed you changed your avatar, very nice,you surely must be impressed with your creation!! Nice job. Mike is a true southern gentlemen.

Thank you, Sir. Yes, I'm very happy with it. Since March 8th I have worn this every day - except for mayby 4-5 days, where I wore my new Parabuntal, blocked by Mike. I very rarely wear the same hat that much. And yes, Mike is a fantastic guy ... I can't get it closer than "true southern gentlemen", myself

 

[Mr.Astor]

:eusa_clap

 

[alanfgag]

If I remember right, you were able to get the Kingly up 2 sizes

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?23684-The-Cap-Faction&p=1367675&viewfull=1#post1367675

Good memory. I wore that one recently... I'd say it rested at closer to 7 than 7 1/8. The hat can be worn, but it does retain the overall dimensions of its diminutive size. Marc Chevalier coaxed a 6 3/4 up to 7 for me. These are pattern goods - stretching them is not as straightforward a process as with felt hats. But old NOS caps are rare and wonderful. I hope you have success. Will you bring it to BSHW for the torture... er, I mean adjustment?

 

[Garrett]

I would but Bob doesn't have a stretcher :eeek::eusa_doh:

 

[alanfgag]

Seriously?

I might just have to pack one up and come visit.

 

[John Galt]

View attachment 12242 John, here's one from my collection. They were referred to as a "rope curl shackle" or a "pencil curl shackle". They came in 1/4", 5/16", 3/4" and 1/2" sizes. Sold new for $2.50. One recently sold in good condition for $2.50. The original is not made out of wood. The base is iron with a wooden handle so it can be heated and used.

And I found the one I'd seen, which appears to be the same as yours. I posted it some time back, taken from a web site:

 

[Hatter4]

John it is the same as mine. its a rope curl shackel

 

[John Galt]

Thought it was the same item. Here's the only old photo I've found of a hatter's bench, and I can't for the life of me remember where I found it. Probably the American Hatter based in the placement in my photo stream.

Actually looks more like a block making shop.

 

[mayserwegener]

That is Johann Hückel´s Söhne factory early 1900s maybe older. That is a rare photo I received from the Novy Jicin City museum. This is actually where they made / repaired / stored the blocks and flanges for the factory (I believe much of it is still there today although not used anymore).

Here is another one.

 

[mayserwegener]

This actually Velour finishing. These guys made the finest Velour finishes (left side) in the world!

 

[John Galt]

Thank you! I'm glad to be able to credit the photo. Great additions! Any 1900's work benches like Oliver was looking for, or others like this? I've also been looking for a hatter's bow photo for a long time, but have found only diagrams...

 

[John Galt]

Here's a Knox ruler I just found, not mine. It has the same size chart as some of the others I've posted.

 

[John Galt]

This may or may not be a sad iron used by hatters (it has a rounded bottom - pun purely coincidental, really ;-), but I could not resist posting the Butt polishing iron:

 

[mayserwegener]

This was a factory so every step (from felt to finished hat) was specialized. You will not see one hatter doing everything. Even back in the manual days there were specialists (assuming not a one man show).

Here is a photo of a bow. This is a still from a 1930s film made by Janyška (factory was near Novy Jicin) showing manual hat making. I am hoping to get a copy of this film (it's one of a kind). I was told it has recently been restored.

The "Der Hutmacher" film of Gottfried Kiniger also shows manual felt making and old hat work bench (old tools and machines). Have you watched it?

 

[John Galt]

Ask and it shall be given. Thank you!

I have not seen Der Hutmacher, where can I find it?

 

[Hatter4]

John: You posted a hatter's bow and just recently you were talking about it again. You know what planking is where they worked at the kettle....did you ever hear of a planking pin or hatter's pin? I have one in my collection. Here's a picture of it.

 

[mayserwegener]

Ask and it shall be given. Thank you!

I have not seen Der Hutmacher, where can I find it?

I will send you PM with the link. You will need to download it because the stream doesn't work.

Your PM mailbox is full. You need to clear some of your PMs.

 

[John Galt]

Home made flanging bag:

Oil pan, steel handles, bolts, washers, lock washers, canvas, 50 lbs sand, and some wire. The wire is the weak point. I'm going to have to find a giant hose clamp sort of gadget, but this seems functional to finish the jobs I'm working on at present.

 

[Mr.Astor]

John you can get a large clamp at swimming pools supply similar to filter for pool. Also industrial clamp for dust collection system bags