Sourcing Hat Blocks

[Moviehats]

Fred Rabb (Fred's Hatblocks) makes great hat blocks if you need a special one. Otherwise I get mine from eBay. Tried to use Home Groan for used blocks, but she never has the ones in the photos it seems.

 

[Frunobulax]

Home Groan? Link?

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Home Groan? Link?

Not that kind!

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Thanks guys , I looked at them , the Straight Sided Dome is $38 , I think . Here's Matt's Vid from Monster Bash Thread using it ...

It would work . Plus I put my name in to be messaged by Mark DeCou on Etsy when he gets caught up , for a few Band Blocks in 7 3/8 LO . He was recommended , but Art makes them , too .



I heard if I kept looking a Wood Hat Block would (ha) eventually pop up on eBay .

There are going to be long oval band blocks available as well. This isn't too far out. Maybe 2 months out.

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

I would just like to mention when sourcing used blocks and you see one and say oh.....man one size too small. Nope. Buy it and cap it.

 

[Michael R.]

Hey Tim , What size Block do you think I could use to re-block , smooth out Crown Creases < This , Re-Blocking is Totally Different . I wear a 7 3/8 (LO) ? Did I ever get a question put together straight ? What Size Block do you recommend ? If I pop the sweat down would a 7 3/8 work ? And not leave creases ?

Have you bought from Mark DeCou before ? He was recommended to me for Band Blocks .

 

[Fed in a Fedora]

There are going to be long oval band blocks available as well. This isn't too far out. Maybe 2 months out.

From Hatshapers? They said that might be in the works at some point, but I was given no time frame. Would like one for sure!

Fed

 

[Michael R.]

From Hatshapers? They said that might be in the works at some point, but I was given no time frame. Would like one for sure!

Fed

I think Tim's saying he's going to be making band blocks , probably 2 months out , looks that way now . The ones I've seen are made out of Poplar , the most stable hard wood commonly available . Doesn't warp or crack . (The Tulip Poplar is the TN State Tree)

 

[ChicagoWayVito]

I think Tim's saying he's going to be making band blocks , probably 2 months out , looks that way now . The ones I've seen are made out of Poplar , the most stable hard wood commonly available . Doesn't warp or crack . (The Tulip Poplar is the TN State Tree)

Michael is correct, for wood blocks you want Poplar for the reasons he mentioned. Luckily for us Poplar is also cheap, would have been $$$ if these were Oak or Walnut. Luckily I belong to a woodworking club out here and I get some good pricing on Poplar for my needs.

 

[ChicagoWayVito]

Added Easy Hat Blocks (http://www.easyhatblocks.com/) to the first entry. Primarily women's blocks for fascinators and the like.

 

[Windsock8e]

Anyone used www.hatterssupplyhouse.com? Looks interesting with #52, 51 and 81 blocks. Is this the one you were referring to @cane-rod-maker?

 

[Michael R.]

Anyone used www.hatterssupplyhouse.com? Looks interesting with #52, 51 and 81 blocks. Is this the one you were referring to @cane-rod-maker?

I'll add Tim's @Cane Rod Maker so he'll see your question . I think I know the answer to mine from 7/18/16 , but he might add more . Hmm Loveland , I've been there several times . Looks like a good place to get needed items including ribbon , and 2 and 3 ply Hat Bands , Sweatband Bows , etc. . Plus the tools , Blocks , Band Blocks , and Flanges . Good that they're adding more options as they go on . I'm thankful they offer LO on everything .

 

[Cane Rod Maker]

Yes it is

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[Cane Rod Maker]

Mark is a good guy, he had taken the time to have some very nice stuff made. I did get band blocks. I'd like to get more items. But I don't have the funds at this time. I'd just love all new blocks and flanges.

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[T Jones]

Hey Tim , What size Block do you think I could use to re-block , smooth out Crown Creases < This , Re-Blocking is Totally Different . I wear a 7 3/8 (LO) ? Did I ever get a question put together straight ? What Size Block do you recommend ? If I pop the sweat down would a 7 3/8 work ? And not leave creases ?

Have you bought from Mark DeCou before ? He was recommended to me for Band Blocks .

Per Art Fawcett, you want to get a hat block that's a 1/4 inch larger than the circumference of your head measurement. If you measure out at 23 inches, then you want a block at 23 1/4 inches. Don't pay attention to the size stamped on the block. It's the width of the circumference you want to go by. I found that to be true, (that's if you're taking out the sweat).

 

[Windsock8e]

Per Art Fawcett, you want to get a hat block that's a 1/4 inch larger than the circumference of your head measurement. If you measure out at 23 inches, then you want a block at 23 1/4 inches. Don't pay attention to the size stamped on the block. It's the width of the circumference you want to go by. I found that to be true, (that's if you're taking out the sweat).

I don't know if you have modern or vintage blocks but in your experience, does this apply even in the modern cut blocks, meaning that the current makers have not adapted / taken the sweat into account? This is more of a "double check my understanding" question as I am sure you / Art are right but...

I am a 7 1/8 (actually between a 7 - 7 1/8 US) so should I go for a 7 1/4 modern block then if without sweat and 7 1/8 if reblocking existing hat with sweat?

 

[T Jones]

I don't know if you have modern or vintage blocks but in your experience, does this apply even in the modern cut blocks, meaning that the current makers have not adapted / taken the sweat into account? This is more of a "double check my understanding" question as I am sure you / Art are right but...

I am a 7 1/8 (actually between a 7 - 7 1/8 US) so should I go for a 7 1/4 modern block then if without sweat and 7 1/8 if reblocking existing hat with sweat?

If you're going to get a block, buy one that's a 1/4 inch larger than the measurement of your head circumference. The extra 1/4 inch makes up for the sweat. I measure out at 22 3/4, so I use a 23 inch block to reblock my hats. Just go by the circumference, 1/4 inch larger than your head measurement.

 

[Windsock8e]

If you're going to get a block, buy one that's a 1/4 inch larger than the measurement of your head circumference. The extra 1/4 inch makes up for the sweat. I measure out at 22 3/4, so I use a 23 inch block to reblock my hats. Just go by the circumference, 1/4 inch larger than your head measurement.

Thanks for the confirmation, thank you.


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[T Jones]

Thanks for the confirmation, thank you.


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You're welcome, buddy. It was Art Fawcett who originally passed along that information. I took his information and and used it on a couple of conversions. I'm close to finishing another one at this moment. I know from having tried it, Art's information is correct.

 

[Michael R.]

Thanks for the confirmation, thank you.


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What Art was saying doesn't mean your correct size Block isn't 1/4" larger , Blocks may or may not be 1/4" larger to accommodate the sweat , you should just ask them to measure . What I was thinking about was the size Block to use to smooth out creases , so I think I need a Block one or two sizes smaller , but a 7 1/4 would probably do it . I know a Garve' Hat Stretcher or something similar would be a better choice for what I need . Plus I would like a Block for Westerns , more domed and taller 6 1/2-7" , fuller , also . I think Art said something about that , but I'd have to look back . I think the # ended in a 9 as I recall , but I would recognize one I believe when I saw it . Thanks , and Thanks @T Jones TJ .