Post New Hats Here!

[rclark]

I run it through a coffee filter back into the can and reuse it. I've cleaned (counts on fingers) four hats this past week and a half, including the ******* I received last week, though. This gas might be at the end of it's life. I'll have to see what it looks like after filtering. I've also taken to putting one of those metal grates they use to keep pizzas warm to keep the hat off the bottom, so it doesn't stew in the silt after the last one. Seems to be working OK. This hat cleaned up pretty well, but not perfectly. I have to admit I was a little concerned about the corrugated sweat, but it's all good.

Thanks for the props guys!

Last stupid question of the night, but once the gas is at the end of its useful life, how do you dispose of it? You can plead the 5th and I won't judge you! Ha!

 

[Chamuco]

Just got this beautiful Dobbs 40. I think it is 40's but could be 50's. I'm checking the production tag for clues. Brim is 2 7/8th inches.

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Thats a beauty, congrats

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

[Frunobulax]

Last stupid question of the night, but once the gas is at the end of its useful life, how do you dispose of it? You can plead the 5th and I won't judge you! Ha!

Actually, I haven't gotten there yet. Some gets used up during the process, lost to evaporation after you pull the hat out and let it dry. So far, I've just bought more and kept going. From my experience with solvents and recycling (I used to be a hazardous waste guy), as long as it's filtered well, it should be OK. The question is, is a coffee filter adequate over the long haul.

 

[rclark]

Actually, I haven't gotten there yet. Some gets used up during the process, lost to evaporation after you pull the hat out and let it dry. So far, I've just bought more and kept going. From my experience with solvents and recycling (I used to be a hazardous waste guy), as long as it's filtered well, it should be OK. The question is, is a coffee filter adequate over the long haul.

Thanks! Have you posted a video of a "bath" a la "Monster Bash" videos? That would be very interesting. I've got to find an old beater or three to experiment on before jumping into the more precious hats.

 

[EstherWeis]

Looks great! Good color!

 

[Rogera]

Awesome find Fruno!!

 

[Rogera]

Eric (SBG) has given a multitude of hats the gas bath with great resultsuccess. I've done it once to a modern Stetson Open Road and it works great. No smell or anything. I was afraid it was going to smell like gas.

 

[Frunobulax]

Thanks! Have you posted a video of a "bath" a la "Monster Bash" videos? That would be very interesting. I've got to find an old beater or three to experiment on before jumping into the more precious hats.

Rick, I don't know that it would be an interesting video. I put the hat in a large bucket (that was once used for brewing - heh!) with a couple of gallons of camp stove fuel, push it down into the gas, and cover it. I'll periodically go out and pick it up by the handle and twist it back and forth so it "agitates" the hat like a washing machine. I usually leave it in several hours, then fish it out, toss it over a flower pot covered with clean aluminum foil, and let it sit outside for a few hours to dry, volatilize, and the like. A couple hours of sunshine helps in removing any latent smells. Then I either reshape it by hand, or re-block it with one of the few blocks I have, steam it, maybe iron it, and I'm done.

I've found many spots are successfully pretreated with a weak vinegar-water solution before the bath. I always Lexol the sweat and give it a day or so to soak into the sweat before I put it in. Often, when I pull the hat out, it will have a little white film on the sweatband. I presume this is latent Lexol. I hit it again with the Lexol and it cleans right up - it has never affected a sweatband badly. I have now cleaned about a dozen hats this way.

I really need to start a Workshop thread. I have three hats ready for rebuild right now. I will start documenting with the intention of posting some about refurbishing hats.

And remember, kids, always wear chemical resistant gloves and protective eyewear. Safety First!

 

[Frunobulax]

Eric (SBG) has given a multitude of hats the gas bath with great result. I've done it once to a modern Stetson Open Road and it works great. No smell or anything. I was afraid it was going to smell like gas.

I find they might smell for a day or so. But fresh air and UV rays cure that quickly.

 

[Rogera]

Rick, I don't know that it would be an interesting video. I put the hat in a large bucket (that was once used for brewing - heh!) with a couple of gallons of camp stove fuel, push it down into the gas, and cover it. I'll periodically go out and pick it up by the handle and twist it back and forth so it "agitates" the hat like a washing machine. I usually leave it in several hours, then fish it out, toss it over a flower pot covered with clean aluminum foil, and let it sit outside for a few hours to dry, volatilize, and the like. A couple hours of sunshine helps in removing any latent smells. Then I either reshape it by hand, or re-block it with one of the few blocks I have, steam it, maybe iron it, and I'm done.

I've found many spots are successfully pretreated with a weak vinegar-water solution before the bath. I always Lexol the sweat and give it a day or so to soak into the sweat before I put it in. Often, when I pull the hat out, it will have a little white film on the sweatband. I presume this is latent Lexol. I hit it again with the Lexol and it cleans right up - it has never affected a sweatband badly. I have now cleaned about a dozen hats this way.

I really need to start a Workshop thread. I have three hats ready for rebuild right now. I will start documenting with the intention of posting some about refurbishing hats.

And remember, kids, always wear chemical resistant gloves and protective eyewear. Safety First!

The workshop thread is a great idea!

 

[EstherWeis]

The workshop thread is a great idea!

+1

 

[Frunobulax]

+1

If I do this, I'd like it if the real hatters kept an eye on it to correct anything I may be doing wrong.

That means you, Esther!

 

[buler]

The workshop thread is a great idea!

There was at least one attempt at this thread already. Rarely is there a "new" idea in the hats section. So there's usually a thread already out there.....

Renovators Thread -> http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-renovators-corner.48661/#post-1042283

B

 

[EstherWeis]

If I do this, I'd like it if the real hatters kept an eye on it to correct anything I may be doing wrong.

That means you, Esther!

I'm sure we could all learn from each other.

I wouldn't mind filming some stuff.
If y'all can stand to hear me drone on in that weird accent of mine.
I may throw in a bow making tutorial or something, or like a binding one.
Whatever you guys would like to see.

 

[Frunobulax]

There was at least one attempt at this thread already. Rarely is there a "new" idea in the hats section. So there's usually a thread already out there.....

Renovators Thread -> http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-renovators-corner.48661/#post-1042283

B

Thanks Buler. Although that thread seems to be postings of how-to articles. My intention is to have a working thread where we post the hats we're working on. Compare results, share successes, failures, tips and techniques we've learned or taught ourselves, and maybe show off a little bit.

I'm sure we could all learn from each other.

I wouldn't mind filming some stuff.
If y'all can stand to hear me drone on in that weird accent of mine.
I may throw in a bow making tutorial or something, or like a binding one.
Whatever you guys would like to see.

What you'll get with me is a guy blundering is way through a new hobby. I'm as likely to mess it up and post it as post successes. Hopefully, it will be a working thread where some more knowledgeable may periodically step in and say, "No, you should have done this..."

 

[EstherWeis]

Thanks Buler. Although that thread seems to be postings of how-to articles. My intention is to have a working thread where we post the hats we're working on. Compare results, share successes, failures, tips and techniques we've learned or taught ourselves, and maybe show off a little bit.



What you'll get with me is a guy blundering is way through a new hobby. I'm as likely to mess it up and post it as post successes. Hopefully, it will be a working thread where some more knowledgeable may periodically step in and say, "No, you should have done this..."

Well, give it a wirl.
There are plenty of knowledgeable people around here.
As all things you learn by trying, and the good thing about felt is that you can start all over again if things don't turn out the way you'd like.

Sounds like great fun!

 

[Zombie_61]

...I wouldn't mind filming some stuff.
If y'all can stand to hear me drone on in that weird accent of mine. ...

What accent?

 

[Knotten]

A couple of days ago on the "wish list" thread I mentioned that I didn't own any real vintage hats with soft felt and a wide brim. That's no longer true. I bought this Champ from MiamiBruno on eBay. It came today. I'm feelin' the felt.
Plus, I've got more on the way.









This thing is like putty in my hands. Love it.

 

[alanfgag]

Great!

 

[moontheloon]

A couple of days ago on the "wish list" thread I mentioned that I didn't own any real vintage hats with soft felt and a wide brim. That's no longer true. I bought this Champ from MiamiBruno on eBay. It came today. I'm feelin' the felt.
Plus, I've got more on the way.

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This thing is like putty in my hands. Love it.

wonderful piece

congrats!!