The Conversion Corral

[jswindle2]

My first handmade block. I chose the flat top because I wanted to see if it would create a more square bash. Kind of like the campaign hats on "Hostiles".

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[jswindle2]

Like this. Love the movie,by the way!

 

[Just A Hat Rack]

Just got another Black Borsa that a fellow Lounger gifted me to refurb and size up! This is a 7 1/8 that's soon going to be reblocked and sized up to a 7 1/4. My plan is to reuse the original black ribbon and bow but that may or may not be possible with the size up. Anyway, I have a plan B for the ribbon, just in case. I have plenty enough brim to work with at 3 3/8 wide and the open crown on this puppy is 6 inches tall. I have plenty of hat to work with and it should make a nice refurb project after I get finished with it. I really like the brim edge treatment, too....

Google translate says "Caldo Grigio" is translated as "Warm Gray" in English.

I'm starting to wonder if Terry could be persuaded to become the US version of Max's Ignacio?

Very nice hat T. Can't wait to see your finished product.

Ryan
Hat size: 7 1/2

 

[deadlyhandsome]

I had a similar thought. It would be great to have a service where I could have my internet hat purchases sent directly to a trusted hatter who could clean, reblock, replace sweats and ribbons, etc. as needed. The problem is the huge initial investment in blocks, flanges, machinery, etc. To have this make sense they would have to do a large volume or charge a fair bit.

Back to this hat, I bet Terry makes something special out of it with all that crown and brim to work with.


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[T Jones]

I'm starting to wonder if Terry could be persuaded to become the US version of Max's Ignacio?

Very nice hat T. Can't wait to see your finished product.

Ryan
Hat size: 7 1/2

Thank you, Ryan! If I had the $capital$ to invest into more tools and machinery I might be persuaded. As it is I'm very limited in what I have and everything I do is done by hand, which totally blows because it's slow and tedious. Someday, maybe. I just need the $$$ to invest!

 

[T Jones]

I had a similar thought. It would be great to have a service where I could have my internet hat purchases sent directly to a trusted hatter who could clean, reblock, replace sweats and ribbons, etc. as needed. The problem is the huge initial investment in blocks, flanges, machinery, etc. To have this make sense they would have to do a large volume or charge a fair bit.

Back to this hat, I bet Terry makes something special out of it with all that crown and brim to work with.


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Thank you, Brent! You're absolutely right. I'd love to take up hat making and hat refurbishments but the money to invest into what I need just isn't there for me. I would need a variety of blocks and flanges in different sizes and so much more, including specialized machinery for sewing sweat bands and brim bindings which runs into a considerable amount of money. I need so much stuff to get started. But I would like to do it someday, though. Social Security and a meager LTD check each month just doesn't cut it at this point.

But yeah, I think this Borsa's going to make a fine refurb. I've come to appreciate black hats much more than I use to and it doesn't get any better than working on a Borsalino!

 

[ruvort]

My first handmade block. I chose the flat top because I wanted to see if it would create a more square bash. Kind of like the campaign hats on "Hostiles".

Sent from my LGL56VL using Tapatalk

Would you be willing to share more about the process of creating it? Also any plans for the shape and size of the ovals would be very appreciated.

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[humanshoes]

My first handmade block. I chose the flat top because I wanted to see if it would create a more square bash. Kind of like the campaign hats on "Hostiles".

Sent from my LGL56VL using Tapatalk

Great job on the block Terry! That's going to make for some interesting possibilities.

 

[humanshoes]

Thank you, Brent! You're absolutely right. I'd love to take up hat making and hat refurbishments but the money to invest into what I need just isn't there for me. I would need a variety of blocks and flanges in different sizes and so much more, including specialized machinery for sewing sweat bands and brim bindings which runs into a considerable amount of money. I need so much stuff to get started. But I would like to do it someday, though. Social Security and a meager LTD check each month just doesn't cut it at this point.

But yeah, I think this Borsa's going to make a fine refurb. I've come to appreciate black hats much more than I use to and it doesn't get any better than working on a Borsalino!

Your talent dictates that you stay with it Terry. My grandmother used to tell me not to hide my light under a bushel. It took many years for me to figure out that all she was saying is that God given talents should be shared for the benefit of others. I also have to constantly remind myself of the old proverb, "The longest journey begins with a single step".

 

[Redfokker]

Thank you, Brent! You're absolutely right. I'd love to take up hat making and hat refurbishments but the money to invest into what I need just isn't there for me. I would need a variety of blocks and flanges in different sizes and so much more, including specialized machinery for sewing sweat bands and brim bindings which runs into a considerable amount of money. I need so much stuff to get started. But I would like to do it someday, though. Social Security and a meager LTD check each month just doesn't cut it at this point.

But yeah, I think this Borsa's going to make a fine refurb. I've come to appreciate black hats much more than I use to and it doesn't get any better than working on a Borsalino!

Of course, you could just cater to us 7 1/4 size folks. There are enough of us to keep you very busy. Maybe if we start sending you old, funky westerns to convert you could start building a hat block nest egg. Something to think about...

 

[jswindle2]

Would you be willing to share more about the process of creating it? Also any plans for the shape and size of the ovals would be very appreciated.

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I have a 2 inch high ironing block(2 roughed out oval 1x10 yellow pine pieces glue together) that I made to iron the brim/crown break line and to flatten the brim on my conversions. I got the shape for that by tracing my #51 hat block. I started to make the new block shape from that but switched to basing the shape on my HatShaper straight sided dome plastic block. Saying that, the shape is ultimately just done by eye and the block was just a test. I would have made it using the traditional way but I didn't have the wood to do it. After roughing out the shape I just glued the pieces together and once the glue dried I sanded it to the dimensions I had in mind. It ended it up measuring at 6 13/16 inches tall and 24 1/8 inches around.

 

[T Jones]

Your talent dictates that you stay with it Terry. My grandmother used to tell me not to hide my light under a bushel. It took many years for me to figure out that all she was saying is that God given talents should be shared for the benefit of others. I also have to constantly remind myself of the old proverb, "The longest journey begins with a single step".

Thank you, Rick. Sounds like your Grandmother was well read and knew her Bible. I guess that's about the best advise anyone could give. I'll definitely follow it and let God do the rest.

 

[T Jones]

Of course, you could just cater to us 7 1/4 size folks. There are enough of us to keep you very busy. Maybe if we start sending you old, funky westerns to convert you could start building a hat block nest egg. Something to think about...

Hmmmm....That would definitely be one way to buy more stuff that I need. I like the idea.

 

[Rockwater]

I’m not in the block business, but I would make a simple block to your specs (nc)..if that could be helpful.

Hmmmm....That would definitely be one way to buy more stuff that I need. I like the idea.

 

[humanshoes]

My first handmade block. I chose the flat top because I wanted to see if it would create a more square bash. Kind of like the campaign hats on "Hostiles".

Sent from my LGL56VL using Tapatalk

My bad jswindle2, I called you Terry. Nevertheless, that's a fine looking block.

 

[jswindle2]

My bad jswindle2, I called you Terry. Nevertheless, that's a fine looking block.

Oh well, my first name's Jerry so you were pretty close.

 

[humanshoes]

View attachment 142535

I’m not in the block business, but I would make a simple block to your specs (nc)..if that could be helpful.

Did you make the blocks in the picture Rockwater? If so, then you could damn well be in the block business.

 

[humanshoes]

Oh well, my first name's Jerry so you were pretty close.

Well then, my apologies Jerry and nice to meet you.

 

[Rockwater]

Did you make the blocks in the picture Rockwater? If so, then you could damn well be in the block business.

I did make them, but just to assist me to return some hats back to open crowns.
The tall one was made to fit an old Cavanagh and some Strats.
Works beautifully.

 

[humanshoes]

I did make them, but just to assist me to return some hats back to open crowns.
The tall one was made to fit an old Cavanagh and some Strats.
Works beautifully.

Nice work!