The Conversion Corral

[LoveMyHats2]

Geez Bond, that is really nice now....!

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Last week at church we had a western theme service. If you're ever in Plano, TX on a Sunday, join us at Willowbend Church. You'll spot me for sure...anyway...lot's of cowboy hats came out of closets and back rooms.

My mentor wore this Resistol XX silver belly.

It's seen better days. Tom said it was given to him back in the '80s and has spent most of the last 25 years in a box in his garage.

I told him I would be happy to clean it up for him if he wanted. He smiled and pointed out a few stains and spots. Then he said, I sure like that fedora you gave me for Christmas. I smiled and said, I can do that to this one too If you like.

I don't know what you think, but Tom really likes it. He said, I'm not really much of a cowboy.

I agree.

There are a few really fine fellows here on the Lounge from your neck of the woods! You did great on that hat, looks like it was made for the owner!

 

[tridentine]

Borsalino from homburg to fedora. Wanted to go with a narrower ribbon than what was originally on and I added a wind cord. Had to put in a new sweat as old one was rotted. Last pic is homburg after I removed brim ribbon which was also rotten.

Beautiful job sir!
Is that a light shade of gray, like a dove or darker?

 

[LoveMyHats2]

This started out being a bit too tight on me, so I used my hat jack and a bit of sprayed distilled water and some steam....then of course, this hat is a vintage stage coach and it had the western "ya wahoo" turned up brim....needless to say, I got rid of the "ya wahoo" and gave it a touch of fedora....I no longer will call this hat a stage coach, it has a new name, 747 as it is one big hat.....

 

[bond]

That's a sharp looking hat Dan , I like that ribbon treatment also.

 

[Monte]

I had to comment on Manfred's conversion... very cool end result on the two hat project. I am inspired to check my collection for possible projects in the future.

 

[gtdean48]

.....

That is exactly how my Stagecoach started out in the late 1970s, except open crown. It quickly got brim trim & ribbon rework. Here is how it looks now...

 

[tridentine]

Can the good people of FL tell me if this beat up Stetson is worth converting?:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190772368621?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Thank You.

 

[bond]

Definitely. That's a good place to start and it will give you some practice to build your skill set. Looks like it has good bones all you need is a little patience and elbow grease as well as a vision as to what you imagine it to end up as.
Good luck!

 

[tridentine]

Thank you sir.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

That is exactly how my Stagecoach started out in the late 1970s, except open crown. It quickly got brim trim & ribbon rework. Here is how it looks now...

I like that hat band, is that a braided horse hair???

 

[gtdean48]

I like that hat band, is that a braided horse hair???

Yes, braided horsehair band with a braided stampede string...

 

[bolthead]

love it. +1

 

[gtdean48]

love it. +1

Happy New Year Kurt!

 

[BR Gordon]

love it. +1

That just says it all.

 

[bond]

Stetson Open Road that I was inspired to convert after the one recently sold on the bay for 600.
I don't have a brim ribbon for this one at the moment so I may leave as is but here are pics of before and after.
It needed a total rebuild as it was dirty and worn. Gas bath, trimmed brim to 2 5/8, added vintage ribbon and wind cord( thank you Randall )

 

[Lotsahats]

Bond, you do stellar work.

Aaron

 

[DOGMAN]

Bond,Great conversion.

 

[randooch]

Bond, you do stellar work.

Aaron

+1, and it looks great on ya!

 

[bond]

Thanks for the comments guys. I like Stetsons but they are a little too large for my bean head so as usual this one will be heading to the ads shortly.