The duct tape block

[Jerekson]

Well, not entirely. It's an old hatshaper "straight sided dome" that had a heck of a lot of taper for being straight-sided. I slapped some Bondo around the top half of the block to help fill in that nasty concave. Then I refined the shape using the good old redneck repair kit.

First I started by looping thin strips around the top to give a squared look. Then I rounded it out again with more tape. Finally I threw several layers around the sides to get a good mushroom. The finished block looks like this:

Not the prettiest thing my eyes have ever seen, but...duct tape has it's own beauty.

And the finished product:

I'm very satisfied with the shape. However, I'm experiencing a bit of a problem that I'm sure any novice hatter would be able to help me with. I took the hat off the block just this morning, and by this time (10:30) I'm already noticing the shape is going back to taper. I blocked the hat dry and let it sit for two days. What should I do to keep the shape?

 

[RBH]

NICE!

 

[carter]

Well, not entirely. It's an old hatshaper "straight sided dome" that had a heck of a lot of taper for being straight-sided. I slapped some Bondo around the top half of the block to help fill in that nasty concave. Then I refined the shape using the good old redneck repair kit.

First I started by looping thin strips around the top to give a squared look. Then I rounded it out again with more tape. Finally I threw several layers around the sides to get a good mushroom. The finished block looks like this:

Not the prettiest thing my eyes have ever seen, but...duct tape has it's own beauty.

And the finished product:

I'm very satisfied with the shape. However, I'm experiencing a bit of a problem that I'm sure any novice hatter would be able to help me with. I took the hat off the block just this morning, and by this time (10:30) I'm already noticing the shape is going back to taper. I blocked the hat dry and let it sit for two days. What should I do to keep the shape?

Jerekson,

How did you get the hat on the block unless the block is smaller than the hat?

It seems to me that the hat needs to be at least damp and have some steam applied and then be allowed to dry on the block. But, I'm no hatter.

I suggest contacting one of the hatters on the Lounge.

Nice looking hat.

 

[Flitcraft]

Duct Tape...

Is there anything it can't do?

 

[KObalto]

Is there anything it can't do?

Supposedly, they tested duct tape for any number of uses and the only thing it did a poor job of was sealing ducts.

 

[Twitch]

Hey, if it works, it works![huh]

 

[thunderw21]

It seems to me that the hat needs to be at least damp and have some steam applied and then be allowed to dry on the block. But, I'm no hatter.

I suggest contacting one of the hatters on the Lounge.

Nice looking hat.

I second this. Get it damp or steam it while it's on the block, otherwise it will not keep its shape.

 

[indycop]

The only thing I would wonder about is after repeated steaming would'nt the glue in the tape break down and become a sticky mess in yer hat?

 

[surely]

Why not just use the bondo to mold the shape you want & then use a sealer?

 

[Brad Bowers]

You can cover your block in plastic wrap to keep the tape sticky from getting on your hat. That's what I use to protect the wood in all my old hat blocks when blocking.

Brad

 

[Jerekson]

Okay guys, thanks for the kind words, and I will definitely try to use some watering. I thought about it at first but decided not to because I didn't want to lose the perfect front pinch...oh well [huh]

Why not just use the bondo to mold the shape you want & then use a sealer?

Ran out of Bondo

 

[ideaguy]

try using stiff foam, you can find it in blocks, used in shipping appliances, etc., and carve them with an exacto or bigger blade, then tape them to the block- might work.
PS what Nikon are you shooting with? looking for a new camera, and have my eyes on a Nikon, fishing for feedback. thanks

 

[indycop]

PS what Nikon are you shooting with? looking for a new camera, and have my eyes on a Nikon, fishing for feedback. thanks

You should pm Fatwoul, he has a camera he is going to put on ebay UK.

 

[Jerekson]

I wrapped the entire block in seran wrap, then I filled the sink and soaked the hat in it. I mean really soaked. The hat went on the block surprisingly easy and actually stretched alot better when it was wet. How long should I let it sit?

IdeaGuy, I'm shooting from a Nikon D40 (the "X" model, which is basically the deluxe version). It's a great DSLR that has insane color quality and a wide area of adaptation. I would only recommend it for serious photographers. It takes a while to set up and does not make for an ideal point-and-shoot.

 

[fatwoul]

PS what Nikon are you shooting with? looking for a new camera, and have my eyes on a Nikon, fishing for feedback. thanks

I'm currently considering selling my Nikon D200, MB-D200 grip, and a Nikkor 18-200 VR lens. Which one were you considering? Jerekson is right that his D40 is a nice camera, but if you plan to use any old (manual focus and some AF) Nikkor lenses (which you can often pick up for cheap) the D40 is more limited in its reverse compatibility.

 

[SonOfaPreacher]

My two cents

I wrapped the entire block in seran wrap, then I filled the sink and soaked the hat in it. I mean really soaked. The hat went on the block surprisingly easy and actually stretched alot better when it was wet. How long should I let it sit?

You really want your hat to be bone dry before taking it off the block. I myself use a fan directed right on the hat to help dissapate the water, a small heater wouldn't hurt either. Just be carefull not to burn it. Good luck and keep at it, success is around the corner.

 

[ideaguy]

Anyone think about the real meaning of duck tape? I mean, did you ever try
to tape up a duck? And why would you in the first place?
And I don't get this taping a duck to a hat. Gotta be one ornery duck, man.
Strange stuff. I dunno...[huh]

 

[KObalto]

Anyone think about the real meaning of duck tape? I mean, did you ever try
to tape up a duck? And why would you in the first place?
And I don't get this taping a duck to a hat. Gotta be one ornery duck, man.
Strange stuff. I dunno...[huh]

This is why you are known as the idea guy! We need to stop this duck exploitation.

 

[KilroyCD]

And I don't get this taping a duck to a hat. Gotta be one ornery duck, man.
Strange stuff. I dunno...[huh]

No, you have it all backwards. He's trying to tape a hat to a duck, not the other way around. It isn't an ornery duck, he just wants a sharp duck...

 

[Jerekson]

It's been two days, and the hat feels dry on the block. Should I leave it longer or start the peel?