Photos of hatters tools

[humanshoes]

Museo dell’Arte del Cappello di Ghiffa, March 14, 2017

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Wow! Thanks for sharing. I never knew this one even existed. I wonder how that blind stitch looks on the finished product.

 

[humanshoes]

I was fortunate enough to acquire a Singer 107-1 and thought I’d post some photos. I’m by no means a veteran hat maker, formally worked in real estate in NYC and quit my job to pursue making hats full time. Excited to have embraced this passion. View attachment 158203

A thing of beauty!

 

[humanshoes]

Museo dell’Arte del Cappello di Ghiffa, March 14, 2017

Click On Photos to Enlarge

Which led me to this. Fascinating!

 

[mayserwegener]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. I never knew this one even existed. I wonder how that blind stitch looks on the finished product.

I have no idea but it looks high end. I could ask for photos of the manual.

 

[mayserwegener]

Which led me to this. Fascinating!
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That is an older version but shows the attachment more clearly. I seem to recall seeing these Pribil machines at other places.

 

[humanshoes]

I have no idea but it looks high end. I could ask for photos of the manual.

I wouldn't want you to go to too much trouble, but I'm always a curious guy.

 

[humanshoes]

Finally found an original cast iron stand for one of my straw braid sewing machines. This will allow it to be mounted and used on a table or bench without a cutout. I'm getting excited about making a few Milan straw and natural hemp braid hats this season.

 

[humanshoes]

Okay, not strictly a hatter's tool although I do intend to use it to cut leather hatbands. I am always in awe of the quality and durability of the things we made in this country one hundred years ago. I'm also saddened when I think about how many things we make in this country today that will be around and functioning one hundred years from now (not many to be sure). The insidious "planned obsolescence" mentality of most modern manufacturers is, to my mind, nothing more than the direct result of greed and laziness.That's why, when I get my hands on a piece of equipment like this American S.M.&T. Co. leather cutting machine (commonly used in shoe making shops to cut/trim soles and such), I have a deep and abiding respect for those maker's and craftsmen of bygone days who took pride in the fact that their product would provide a lifetime (or many lifetimes) of use. This big, bad boy was likely made somewhere around the 1920's

and functions every bit as well today as it did the day it rolled off the production line.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

A different kind of hat stretcher than I’ve seen:

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[humanshoes]

A different kind of hat stretcher than I’ve seen:

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Now that's a beautiful and ingenious piece of equipment. Spring loaded, ratchet adjusting work of art. Wowza!

 

[humanshoes]

Some things are just too cool not to have. I took a leap of faith and bought this National Hatters Supply Company (Chicago/New York) hat measuring device, more as a conversation piece for the hat shop than anything else. I'm happy to say, however, that it's spot on accurate. Bonus!

 

[steur]

Just bought another hat stretcher (hey, it was cheap). This one still needs to be mounted on a board and I need a replacement heating element (if only for historic reasons). The shape of the dome is nice though and it's easy to operate.

 

[humanshoes]

Just bought another hat stretcher (hey, it was cheap). This one still needs to be mounted on a board and I need a replacement heating element (if only for historic reasons). The shape of the dome is nice though and it's easy to operate.

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That's a real beauty. Much more industrial looking than mine.

 

[humanshoes]

The latest member of the Phoenix Hat Company family. A Willcox & Gibbs straw braid sewing machine designed specifically for making Milan straw and hemp straw hats. This little American made beauty rolled of the production line circa 1880 and, after 139 years or so of what was likely a very busy life, it still works perfectly. I feel certain that the manufacturers of those days would have scoffed at the notion of planned obsolescence. I like to believe they would have been indignant and even angry that any craftsman or company would knowingly make a product that is designed to fail. I know I am.

 

[steur]

That's a real beauty. Much more industrial looking than mine.

Thanks, Rick. And way easier to operate than that fantastic looking sewing machine you've posted.

 

[humanshoes]

Thanks, Rick. And way easier to operate than that fantastic looking sewing machine you've posted.

As is true of so many things Stefan, the reward is commensurate with the effort.

 

[humanshoes]

I spent a few much needed hours doing Milan straw therapy and fine tuning the new straw braid machine this weekend. Just enough to make me realize that my straw/hemp hats are not quite ready for market. For now, I don't have the skill to insure a consistent, quality product, but, to paraphrase the great Chief Dan George in The Outlaw Jose Wales, I shall endeavor to persevere. (Please pardon all the big a** photos. I thought some of you folks might be interested in seeing the process) I'm calling this one "The Planter".

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I spent a few much needed hours doing Milan straw therapy and fine tuning the new straw braid machine this weekend. Just enough to make me realize that my straw/hemp hats are not quite ready for market. For now, I don't have the skill to insure a consistent, quality product, but, to paraphrase the great Chief Dan George in The Outlaw Jose Wales, I shall endeavor to persevere. (Please pardon all the big a** photos. I thought some of you folks might be interested in seeing the process) I'm calling this one "The Planter".
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Looks pretty darn good to me! I love seeing the old machine back in use.


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[humanshoes]

Looks pretty darn good to me! I love seeing the old machine back in use.


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Thanks Brent. You do have to love these little machines. I'm awestruck by the ingenuity and engineering.

 

[BobHufford]

Love the machine, the hat and the band. Very cool to see in "action".