Photos of hatters tools

[Mr.Astor]

John in regards to your sandbag what I was referring to is what I constructed,I bought from Northern Tools
Item number 28710-2456 page 457 current catalog. S hooks to hold bag canvas 3 chains that are held together with a 2" diameter ring raised and lowered on a pulley with a bathroom heat lamp that warms the sand from above. In a 24"X24" heat box it works wonders on a straw hat! So so on felt I still trust the right flange with flannel and the proper ironing technique, you're not ironing pant's or a shirt.HA

 

[humanshoes]

Thanks for the kind words, Bond. Glad you like the redesign. I don't know what that beautiful hat is that my tolliker is sitting on, but I'm gonna be looking for it in your Etsy shop.

 

[John Galt]

John in regards to your sandbag what I was referring to is what I constructed,I bought from Northern Tools
Item number 28710-2456 page 457 current catalog. S hooks to hold bag canvas 3 chains that are held together with a 2" diameter ring raised and lowered on a pulley with a bathroom heat lamp that warms the sand from above. In a 24"X24" heat box it works wonders on a straw hat! So so on felt I still trust the right flange with flannel and the proper ironing technique, you're not ironing pant's or a shirt.HA

I'm seriously thinking about building one with an electric wok as the bowl & heat generator. Many have an actual temperature control, ranging from warm to 400+ degrees, and are made of stainless steel. I know the heat would still be at the top, but I think it might be worth a try. It shouldn't hurt a bit to turn one upside down.

As for the ironing, I tend to spray my flanging cloth, lay it on the brim, and then iron the target area until it is dry & repeat until done. With this flange bag, the only area that needed a lot of attention was the sides, where I made my bag a little too narrow to overlap far enough and with enough sand to press them hard enough against the flange, leaving a couple of small waves or wrinkles.

 

[TheDane]

I'm seriously thinking about building one with an electric wok as the bowl & heat generator.

A brilliant idea! :eusa_clap

Let it heat up, positioned as it's made for - turn off and flip over for flanging. I don't know the diameter of such a wok - or how much sand such a bagger could be made to hold - but I sure like the mental image it projects. The temperature range is more than adequate. You probably won't want to go much higher than 190 degrees.

 

[John Galt]

Olė, they range in size from 12" to 18 1/2, generally. The big ones ought to work well, and they aren't that expensive. I'm going to look in thrift stores - I know I've seen them there before.

 

[John Galt]

Maybe a hinge & rest on the lid of my box would help - then I could still mount the thing & heat it right side up before rotating it into the box for flanging. I'm pretty sure I'm going to put a hydraulic jack in the bottom, and some sort of pressure gauge would probably be warranted.

 

[TheDane]

The nice thing about the upside-down type is, that gravity makes the sand press down and in on the outer edge of the flange - if the bag is wide enough.

 

[bond]

Rick, Be sure to post pics of your other tools here when they are ready.
Thanks

 

[John Galt]

Vintage brim flanges, no newer than 1952, all size 7 1/4, freshly cleaned & ready for use.

From top to bottom:

901 R
2 inches
No maker's mark

29
2 1/4
Hatter's Supply House Chicago

1929
2 1/2
Diamond

1933
2 3/8
Hoffman

201
2 5/8
George Brothers

 

[John Galt]

More brim flanges. These are all 7 1/8. Same source for most of these. From top to bottom:

835
2 inch
MHSCO (Milliner & Hatter's Supply Co.?)

No block #
2 1/4 (I believe - no width #)
No maker's mark
This one has a very rounded brim, like a giant turban roll

1929
2 1/2
Diamond

201
2 3/8
George Brothers (GB)

217
2 3/4
GB

16
2 3/4
Hatter's Supply House Chicago

 

[John Galt]

Crown blocks, various brands, many are Langenberg or George Brothers. A couple are very old.

Back row:

6 5/8
No 70
George Bros
6 (height)

6 3/4
No 173
GB (I believe)
6

6 3/4
Unknown #
6
Unknown maker
This as an old one

6 7/8
No 70
6

6 7/8
No 59
GB
6

6 7/8
No 107
GB
5 3/4

Next row:

7
"Avon"
Langenberg
5 3/4

7
107
GB
6

7 1/8
No number
"FEDORA"
5 5/8
Old & heavy

7 1/8 LO
No number
Langenberg
6

7 1/4
Hi Keen
Langenberg
6

7 1/4
No number
Langenberg
6

Next row:

7 1/4
"Taft"
MA Cummings & Co.
5 5/8

7 3/8
? Regal
Langenberg
5 5/8

7 3/8
107
GB
5 3/4

7 3/8
No 59
GB
6

7 1/2
No 70
GB
6

7 1/2
NN
Langenberg
6

Front row:

7 3/4
No 107
ACME NY
5 3/4

8
CD
Langenberg
5

 

[John Galt]

I have many more flanges in various sizes & styles. Still missing a couple of the larger sizes of crown blocks...

 

[John Galt]

Spinners

 

[John Galt]

John in regards to your sandbag what I was referring to is what I constructed,I bought from Northern Tools
Item number 28710-2456 page 457 current catalog. S hooks to hold bag canvas 3 chains that are held together with a 2" diameter ring raised and lowered on a pulley with a bathroom heat lamp that warms the sand from above. In a 24"X24" heat box it works wonders on a straw hat! So so on felt I still trust the right flange with flannel and the proper ironing technique, you're not ironing pant's or a shirt.HA

Never thanked you for this, but THANKS! I will probably use a pressure system in a box for economy of space, and some setup as described, but it is good to know how these things are done properly...

 

[Hatter4]

John, did I miss somethimg? are these blocks and flanges yours?

 

[John Galt]

Oh yes, these ones are mine ;-)

I bought a bunch from a fellow a while back whose father & grandfather had been hatters, and who had apprenticed in their shop. Before that, I bought some blocks from a fellow who had attended the Langenberg auction. I've needed to clean them, and am just doing that.

 

[Mr.Astor]

John did you find that some of the Langenberg blocks had a rubbery substance on them?

 

[John Galt]

John did you find that some of the Langenberg blocks had a rubbery substance on them?

None of the ones I bought, unless you are talking about the epoxy holding the straw bodies on some of the blocks. The flanges from the old hatter had a lot of dust & grime though. My hands wrinkled with all the scrubbing. I have much more to do, but can't complain, I bought everything the grandson still had in his basement at a great price. Probably a few thousand dollars worth at much less, in light if the bulk purchase.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

What a collection!

 

[Mr.Astor]

A lot I bought, seems like they were trying to boost the original size a bit as they started to realize the dwindling market for 6 7/8 to 7. About 5 of mine are not raw wood they have had some sort of renovation in comparison to my other blocks.