Rounding Jacks

[TheDane]

I found the image - note the cutting-wheel (seemingly not a knife blade):

I just found another pic of, what I believe is the same machine with a different operator:

 

[DOGMAN]

Here's my newest homemade jack. It is far from a fine tool,but it does the job as well as a big dollar jack(at least for what I'm doing). I would love to have one of humanshoes' works of art. However, my homemades suit the purpose for now. I make the bodies in differing sizes and switch the directional part(the piece with the arrows)from body to body depending on the brim width needed.The hole holds a basic x-acto knife and the side screw tightens the blade in place.The whole deal consists of 3 small pieces of wood and takes maybe 30 minutes to make.I'd recommend that you get a jack from humanshoes if you can wait,but it you must cut NOW I'd say make one of your own.I'd rather see you do this than use scissors like I used to.Good luck with any path you choose.

P.S. I'd like to thank Dogman for the idea in the first place. I wish I could say I came up with it myself.

I remember my 1st trimmer Then I made these

 

[jswindle2]

I remember my 1st trimmer Then I made these

You really made those?

 

[DOGMAN]

Yes,I saw some pics of old ones and decided to try and make some for myself.They are not perfect,but they work good for me.

 

[EstherWeis]

Yes,I saw some pics of old ones and decided to try and make some for myself.They are not perfect,but they work good for me.

Holy smokes!!!

 

[mayserwegener]

I found the image - note the cutting-wheel (seemingly not a knife blade):

I just found another pic of, what I believe is the same machine with a different operator:

View attachment 52032

Is this machine in Denmark? It looks custom made. I am not sure about the cutting mechanism on the Bahner or the Casse machines. I will check with Bahner.

 

[TheDane]

Is this machine in Denmark? It looks custom made. I am not sure about the cutting mechanism on the Bahner or the Casse machines. I will check with Bahner.

They are both from a Vouge article on Borsalino. Making Mojitos for a graduation party right now. I'll be back tomorrow

 

[mayserwegener]

Thanks! I must missed it on my Borsalino factory tour.

 

[jswindle2]

Holy smokes!!!

I could not agree more! A very big +1

 

[DOGMAN]

Thanks,Esther and jswindle2.I'm a man with many small talents....But a master of none.Except maybe dogs...I'm really good with dogs.

 

[TheDane]

Thanks! I must missed it on my Borsalino factory tour.

It seems, the Vogue article is no longer available. The other I found here: http://www.realclearlife.com/2016/05/31/investors-revive-classic-italian-hat-brand-borsalino/

I also found this pic by the same photographer: http://www.gettyimages.dk/detail/ne...-hat-companys-factory-in-news-photo/519209610

- a little text is available at mouseover

 

[milandro]

After having had the brim of two hats being cut from a shop in the Netherlands ( should any of the Dutch fellow members want to do that I recommend Francesco Baldi at his shop Jos Van Dijk) I went on the hunt for the rounding Jack which they had, completely made of metal and very different from any other one I had seen. Anyway, I seem to have found one very similar, and it is sold by a Spanish milliner’s supplies . I have asked the price at this place in Spain, they have a site but only an email address.

hatblocksroland@hotmail.com

EDIT:

Roland has answered me that this was an older model and that now he makes a better model made of wood. Which costs €170 + €20 for shipping .

 

[T Jones]

I do tons of conversions and I vouch for Rick's, (humanshoes), Rounding Jack. It's very well built and I enjoy using it. I gotta say, it's one of my most favored hat tools. I've yet to have the first mishap with it.

End Result.....

 

[humanshoes]

I do tons of conversions and I vouch for Rick's, (humanshoes), Rounding Jack. It's very well built and I enjoy using it. I gotta say, it's one of my most favored hat tools. I've yet to have the first mishap with it.

End Result.....

Thanks for that endorsement Terry! I should warn you, though, according to one of my favorite lady hatters in Australia, my rounding jacks will NOT survive a fall from a three story balcony onto a concrete driveway. I offered to fix it for her, but she replied, "too many pieces". I ended up making her a replacement.

 

[milandro]

Very nice story , did I miss a link to your site and the price of your hat jack?

 

[humanshoes]

Very nice story , did I miss a link to your site and the price of your hat jack?

I won't have a website up and running until my semi-retirement next year Milandro, but if you'll email me I'll be happy to send you prices and pics.

 

[T Jones]

Thanks for that endorsement Terry! I should warn you, though, according to one of my favorite lady hatters in Australia, my rounding jacks will NOT survive a fall from a three story balcony onto a concrete driveway. I offered to fix it for her, but she replied, "too many pieces". I ended up making her a replacement.

Ha! You're welcome Kemosabie! It's a great tool and I enjoy using it...and luckily I don't have a three story house with a balcony!

 

[milandro]

I won't have a website up and running until my semi-retirement next year Milandro, but if you'll email me I'll be happy to send you prices and pics.
View attachment 188481

I have started a conversation with you through the forum system

 

[milandro]

For the time being I will keep on availing myself of the services of Mr. Francesco Baldi at his shop Jos Van Dijk.

He is asking €15 to cut a brim (round there is no way for him to make any other cut).
Only If I would ever want to own a beautifully made machine such as the one made by humanshoes or I decide to turn semi-pro ( I don’t even know if I have the capability to do that) and would cut at least 20 more brims I would ever be able to absorb the cost.