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What are the dimensions of your RA block? Is it close to a #52 but with a domed top rather than a flat top? I am thinking of ordering a block/flange combo.I just had a custom block made up a few weeks back by Randal Alan. I first learned of him when I saw Rick Walker, (Phoenix Hat Co), using a custom block that Randal had made for him. The block is plastic and is made of bio-degradable materials. Unlike the plastic Hat Shapers, Randal's blocks are solid rather than hollow, but they're still lightweight. I got with Rick and asked him what he thought of the block Randal made and after talking with Rick I decided I'd try one out, myself. I contacted Randal and told him the profile and measurements I wanted and he nailed it perfectly! After receiving the block 'I took it for a test run' on a small sized, (6 7/8), 4X tan Resistol Western that was in need of a serious refurbishment and a size up, (to a 7 1/4), and a new life to make it wearable once again. I couldn't have been happier with the results. On its first trial run the block did perfectly! No problems whatsoever. So far it seems sturdy enough and I don't foresee any issues for prolonged use at this time. I'd say that for the Hobbyist, and for Hatters who make straw hats, this may definitely fit the bill. It's more cost effective than custom wood blocks and Randal can achieve the perfect profile with his 3-D printing technology. Anyway, here's the results of a quick test run I did on this 4X tan Resistol. The only original thing I used on this hat was the sweat bow. I switched out the original 2 ply thin ribbon for a matching 1/2 inch ribbon and finished it off with an OR style bow. The vertical sided Open Crown is 5 3/4 inches tall and is creased in my preferred 'Teardrop Crease'. As creased, the crown is very straight sided and is 4 3/4 inches at the pinch with a rake sloping to 4 inches in the back. The original brim width was 4 inches but because of the size up I lost some width so I trimmed to 3 1/2 inches wide. Anyway, the hat is wearable once again...
Before:
On the block:
Off the block, brim trimmed to 3 1/2 inches, and ready to put together.
(Block by Randal Alan, Rounding Jack by our own Rick Walker, and Band Block by another of our own, Rockwater)
I didn't have a liner for this hat so I found a Stagecoach liner that I had laying around put this in it
Got the sweat reed laying where I want it
The finished hat!
On the head