The Conversion Corral

[Yeps]

So, I am working on converting an old Bailey Firehole that I have, into something with a bit higher and straighter crown, and less of a brim. The kicker is that I am doing this with no tools whatsoever, and not trimming anything.
Here is a before pic. Notice the low crown, severe taper (probably the result of the abuse it took mountain climbing), and just general lack of shape in the hat.

And here is how I am "reblocking" it. I use the term very loosely.

Yes that is a jar that used to hold biscotti, and a leather belt. Very high tech and sophisticated.

Here is the result of that, with an open crown, but a disaster of a brim.

and here is another pic, with a bit of shape in the crown.

So at this point, I just need to work out the brim, most likely will be done with an iron, and find a decent ribbon, and probably tweak the crown a bit more. Anyone have a spare ribbon, in awful condition, that they want to send my way, or advice on how to finish this conversion with no real tools?

 

[Yeps]

Bailey

So this hat does not want to play nice. At the end of the day, it has ended up about what it originally was, but a little messier. This is still an improvement on what it was before I started working on it, but nowhere near the conversion I wanted. When they say crushable, they really mean it.

 

[scottyrocks]

Man, oh man, it took me forever, but I finally finished my conversion. Its a Bailey. I'll let the pics speak for themselves.

We went from this:

to this:

And this:

to this:

 

[Mario]

Gosh! This looks like the thickest felt I have ever laid my eyes upon!

 

[scottyrocks]

Gosh! This looks like the thickest felt I have ever laid my eyes upon!

Yep, its a very thick felt. Tough to work with. If it wasnt so old and beat-up, it wouldve been almost impossible to shape into anything.

 

[Yeps]

So my Bailey Firehole has finally played nice, and i finished the brim and crown work on it. Well, I still have a little problem with them lining up, but that is not a big deal. Now I just need my ribbon.

Here it is, with a belt around it helping it form its shape. It does still want to go back to being an outback.

And just as a reminder, here is what it used to be.

 

[scottyrocks]

The front view of this hat was bothering me. Initially, I thought it was too high. But every time I tried to bring it down it just looked 'wrong.' So, I wet it again, and changed the sides and the type of top dent, and now it is much more pleasing to my eye from all angles. Compare with similar angle pic on the previous page. Im happy and will leave it alone.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

The front view of this hat was bothering me. Initially, I thought it was too high. But every time I tried to bring it down it just looked 'wrong.' So, I wet it again, and changed the sides and the type of top dent, and now it is much more pleasing to my eye from all angles. Compare with similar angle pic on the previous page. Im happy and will leave it alone.

I don't think the crown is too high at all; it looks good on you.

FWIW, you might consider using sandpaper on the fresh-cut edge of the brim. This will erase any slight imperfections produced in the cutting and will create a nice half-round edge on the brim.

 

[Yeps]

Here is the finished product, still less than perfect, but I think that it is a marked improvement.

 

[St.Ignatz]

Still kinda looks well, kinda western.

 

[scottyrocks]

I don't think the crown is too high at all; it looks good on you.

FWIW, you might consider using sandpaper on the fresh-cut edge of the brim. This will erase any slight imperfections produced in the cutting and will create a nice half-round edge on the brim.

It wasnt too high in this picture. It was too high in an earlier picture. This picture was after the latest reshaping. I love it this way.

Thanks for the sandpaper tip. I'll give it a rub tomorrow.

 

[Yeps]

Still kinda looks well, kinda western.

Good point, but just for comparison, here it is with my dad's hat of the same model.

If I had better tools, I would have blocked it just a little bit higher and straighter, with slightly less brim, but I am pleased with what I got.

 

[St.Ignatz]

may I draw your attention to:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=964240&postcount=448
Tom D.

 

[Yeps]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=964240&postcount=448
Tom D.

Well played, sir, I forgot I had said that. I retract my former statement, I guess, because I like this hat now.

But in my defense, I was originally talking about hats more like these:

 

[St.Ignatz]

Well played, sir, I forgot I had said that. I retract my former statement, I guess, because I like this hat now.

But in my defense, I was originally talking about hats more like these:

Ah, first bite of the apple. Enjoy them all. There just hats.
Tom D.

 

[AndrewGWU]

First conversion...

I just wanted to share my first hat, which is also my first conversion. My father had an old moth eaten Bailey western hat which was in pretty poor shape. I cut the brim down and steamed and reshaped the crease into a teardrop shape. I want to eventually replace the ribbon down the road, but am not sure I can make it look good. Anyway, its just an old beater, but i have fallen in love with wearing it.

 

[Yeps]

Looks good. Do you have any before photos?

Also, it seems that we like to abuse Baileys.

 

[St.Ignatz]

I just wanted to share my first hat, which is also my first conversion. My father had an old moth eaten Bailey western hat which was in pretty poor shape. I cut the brim down and steamed and reshaped the crease into a teardrop shape. I want to eventually replace the ribbon down the road, but am not sure I can make it look good. Anyway, its just an old beater, but i have fallen in love with wearing it.

Nice job. I'm sure a fellow lounger would take that ribbon off your hands when you re do. What size?
Tom D

 

[AndrewGWU]

Looks good. Do you have any before photos?

Also, it seems that we like to abuse Baileys.

No, but I wish I did. I got too caught up in the excitement of getting started on it I forgot to take photos.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Nice job, AndrewGWU. If/when you get around to replacing the ribbon, there is a good tutorial Here.