Photos of hatters tools

[Hat and Rehat]

Have you seen the beauties that our own Rick AKA @humanshoes makes? I’ve had mine almost two years and I love it!


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Rick's look very nice. I talked to him about making me one quite some time back. He was pretty busy and turn around was 5 weeks +. I didn't pull the trigger.
As a carpenter, with lot of money wrapped up in tools, I feel rather guilty about buying things I can make myself.
Another thing is that, ever since I realized how expensive hat making tools are, making them myself for market has been in the back of my mind. I take a libertarian view of, so called, intellectual property, but feel like reverse engineering a fellow Lounger's equipment to duplicate and sell would be pretty rude.
I don't have the same qualms about a vintage tool from an inventor who's now 6 feet under, and any possible patent is long expired. Humanshoes' jack looks great, and at a very reasonable price compared to others I've looked at, on Etsy. I will gladly steer people to him until, or unless, I start competing with him.
That will be a little awkward, but at least I won't be selling his design at cut rates. If I offer something perhaps marginally less sophisticated, but at a lower price point, I will still be able to look him in the eye and shake hands.
Maybe we can have a brim cutting competition.

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[Hat and Rehat]

I was looking at a vintage version a year or two ago, but now there are many new Chinese copies for sale on eBay. Does anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth the $35?

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That could be useful.
Didn't Rick (HS) report that a vintage one of similar design was quite accurate?

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[deadlyhandsome]

That could be useful.
Didn't Rick (HS) report that a vintage one of similar design was quite accurate?

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When I was looking at a vintage version a while back someone opined that they were NOT very accurate. As long as it takes up the entire diameter it should be able to be made accurate. Stiff hats that don’t conform to the device might give it fits.


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[AbbaDatDeHat]

I was looking at a vintage version a year or two ago, but now there are many new Chinese copies for sale on eBay. Does anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth the $35?

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That one looks well engineered.
I’ve seen some (vintage and modern) that look kinda sketchy and poorly made. I was told by someone who had one they were inaccurate but i don’t know what they had. I believe i passed that on. My bad.
If well made, seems it ought to be quite accurate in retrospect.
My mileage has varied.
B

 

[humanshoes]

I was looking at a vintage version a year or two ago, but now there are many new Chinese copies for sale on eBay. Does anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth the $35?

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Nice looking tool there Brent. At $35.00 I'd definitely take a gamble on it being accurate. Even if it's off a little, plus or minus, you'll know that and just figure it in to your size calculations. I have a big model that's board mounted and it's spot on, but I also have this flimsy little vintage job that's pretty damn close.

 

[humanshoes]

I reckon I'm done here. I believe I have all the bases covered with straw braid, zig-zag, set-up, brim trimming, and brim wire sewing machines. They are mostly Willcox & Gibbs with a few Feldman Machine Works machines thrown into the mix. The two at the very back left couldn't be revived, and so got used for parts. I've had great fun bringing these machines back to life, and they'll all be good for many more lifetimes of service, but enough is enough. I look forward to the Milan Straw and Hemp Braid hats these machines will turn out and, of course, my straw hat apprentice will get her first pic of the litter.

 

[Woodtroll]

My goodness, Rick, what an interesting collection. I absolutely love tinkering with old tools and bringing them back to a purposeful life. Thanks for sharing these.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I reckon I'm done here. I believe I have all the bases covered with straw braid, zig-zag, set-up, brim trimming, and brim wire sewing machines. They are mostly Willcox & Gibbs with a few Feldman Machine Works machines thrown into the mix. The two at the very back left couldn't be revived, and so got used for parts. I've had great fun bringing these machines back to life, and they'll all be good for many more lifetimes of service, but enough is enough. I look forward to the Milan Straw and Hemp Braid hats these machines will turn out and, of course, my straw hat apprentice will get her first pic of the litter.
View attachment 185527

That is beyond impressive. Lotta love on that table!!
B

 

[humanshoes]

My goodness, Rick, what an interesting collection. I absolutely love tinkering with old tools and bringing them back to a purposeful life. Thanks for sharing these.

Thank your Regan. I with you. I love breathing new life into the old, tired things.

 

[humanshoes]

That is beyond impressive. Lotta love on that table!!
B

Thanks B. Lotta love for sure. Also, patience, frustration, befuddlement, and swearing.

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I reckon I'm done here. I believe I have all the bases covered with straw braid, zig-zag, set-up, brim trimming, and brim wire sewing machines. They are mostly Willcox & Gibbs with a few Feldman Machine Works machines thrown into the mix. The two at the very back left couldn't be revived, and so got used for parts. I've had great fun bringing these machines back to life, and they'll all be good for many more lifetimes of service, but enough is enough. I look forward to the Milan Straw and Hemp Braid hats these machines will turn out and, of course, my straw hat apprentice will get her first pic of the litter.
View attachment 185527

From when tools were made to last and made to be repaired when worn or broken; today was just throw stuff away. There’s also something elegant and...satisfying about old tools and machinery.

How close is your Milan apprentice to making hats?


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[AbbaDatDeHat]

From when tools were made to last and made to be repaired when worn or broken; today was just throw stuff away. There’s also something elegant and...satisfying about old tools and machinery.

How close is your Milan apprentice to making hats?


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Agreed Brent.
Yeah, whoever thought an old Rockwell drill press could be sexy?? Or an anvil or a 10” vice press!
Me!!
A sewing machine is the standard for old engineering and craftsmanship!!
“Runs like a sewing machine” means something. Not runs like a Bic lighter!
B

 

[Frunobulax]

Thank your Regan. I with you. I love breathing new life into the old, tired things.

Let me give you my address, though I think I am beyond help.

Agreed Brent.
Yeah, whoever thought an old Rockwell drill press could be sexy?? Or an anvil or a 10” vice press!
Me!!
A sewing machine is the standard for old engineering and craftsmanship!!
“Runs like a sewing machine” means something. Not runs like a Bic lighter!
B

Well, those of us in the Church of Appliantology have known this for some time.

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[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^lol

 

[deadlyhandsome]

My Chinese hat measuring device arrived yesterday. It seems to be well-made and solid. It’s simple, which I like, and I can’t see it wearing out. The all metal construction gives it a substantial feel.

It isn’t perfect. The spring steel conforming piece extends when you close the scissors type handles. The problem is that the steel extends in a near perfect circle. With some force you can get it to conform closer to the oval of your hat, but it’s not able to perfectly match the contours of the sweatband. The more oval (I’m a long oval) your hats are the less accurate the tool is. I’m also leery about using too much force to get it to conform.

Most of my 7 5/8 hats measure 7 1/2 or less on this device. Still, as long as you mentally compensate you can get close. You can also visually see how close the spring steel is conforming to the sweatband and get some idea of how accurate the measurement will be.

The first hat I measured is this 3X that I bought on ebay. The seller listed it as a 7 3/4:

This hat measured 6 7/8 and I doubt that it’s actually any larger than a size 7. When will people learn that the length of the head opening is not the hat size.


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[humanshoes]

From when tools were made to last and made to be repaired when worn or broken; today was just throw stuff away. There’s also something elegant and...satisfying about old tools and machinery.

How close is your Milan apprentice to making hats?


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From when tools were made to last and made to be repaired when worn or broken; today was just throw stuff away. There’s also something elegant and...satisfying about old tools and machinery.

How close is your Milan apprentice to making hats?


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Elegant is the perfect descriptive word for these little machines Brent. Throughout the production life of these little chain stitch machines W&G never saw any need to change the basic design. Arguably the most collected sewing machine on the planet.
My straw hat apprentice is plugging away and she hopes to bring her hats to market by March. I'm skeptical, but time will tell.

 

[Hat and Rehat]

I reckon I'm done here. I believe I have all the bases covered with straw braid, zig-zag, set-up, brim trimming, and brim wire sewing machines. They are mostly Willcox & Gibbs with a few Feldman Machine Works machines thrown into the mix. The two at the very back left couldn't be revived, and so got used for parts. I've had great fun bringing these machines back to life, and they'll all be good for many more lifetimes of service, but enough is enough. I look forward to the Milan Straw and Hemp Braid hats these machines will turn out and, of course, my straw hat apprentice will get her first pic of the litter.
View attachment 185527

Never give up, Rick.
The one with all the parts you need might drop out of the sky tomorrow.
I have faith in you.

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[Hat and Rehat]

I reckon I'm done here. I believe I have all the bases covered with straw braid, zig-zag, set-up, brim trimming, and brim wire sewing machines. They are mostly Willcox & Gibbs with a few Feldman Machine Works machines thrown into the mix. The two at the very back left couldn't be revived, and so got used for parts. I've had great fun bringing these machines back to life, and they'll all be good for many more lifetimes of service, but enough is enough. I look forward to the Milan Straw and Hemp Braid hats these machines will turn out and, of course, my straw hat apprentice will get her first pic of the litter.
View attachment 185527

A museum might be a good sideline to carry you through when you're blind, crippled and crazy.

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[Hat and Rehat]

My Chinese hat measuring device arrived yesterday. It seems to be well-made and solid. It’s simple, which I like, and I can’t see it wearing out. The all metal construction gives it a substantial feel.

It isn’t perfect. The spring steel conforming piece extends when you close the scissors type handles. The problem is that the steel extends in a near perfect circle. With some force you can get it to conform closer to the oval of your hat, but it’s not able to perfectly match the contours of the sweatband. The more oval (I’m a long oval) your hats are the less accurate the tool is. I’m also leery about using too much force to get it to conform.

Most of my 7 5/8 hats measure 7 1/2 or less on this device. Still, as long as you mentally compensate you can get close. You can also visually see how close the spring steel is conforming to the sweatband and get some idea of how accurate the measurement will be.

The first hat I measured is this 3X that I bought on ebay. The seller listed it as a 7 3/4:

This hat measured 6 7/8 and I doubt that it’s actually any larger than a size 7. When will people learn that the length of the head opening is not the hat size.


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There is probably a way to tweak it more oval.
Sit down with a bottle of mash and think it through.
;-)

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[steur]

Let me give you my address, though I think I am beyond help. Well, those of us in the Church of Appliantology have known this for some time.

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Be careful what you wish for, Jim. Usually some grinding and a lot of lubricant is involved...