Western, anyone?

[bowlerman]

Frank, thanks. I think the Gus crease works with these dimensions too. Now that I have steam again, I might rework the brim first and see what crease I like best from there.

The Knott' s hat looks a little like the one in your avatar!
What a fun place that was, eh?

And I also enjoyed the comment. I tried to be a pipe smoker for a few years, but it truly was more trouble than it was worth, although I did gain an immense appreciation for the aesthetic qualities of carved briar and meerschaum.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[John Galt]

Photo just for you Joao. I'm having a banner day!

 

[bowlerman]

Those look like some wide flanges!

Worked with the Arnold hatters last night, and though I like the center crease, this version is really speaking to me right now.



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[splintercellsz]

Looks great, Jeff!

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Photo just for you Joao. I'm having a banner day!

Are those yours?

Worked with the Arnold hatters last night, and though I like the center crease, this version is really speaking to me right now.

Looks good.

 

[John Galt]

Are those yours?

Yes, they are indeed. I bought a large lot of crown blocks and flanges today in various sizes & shapes, and I thought of you and when I was putting these ones in the truck.

These and a few others are a full 4 inches. I didn't note the sizes at the time, but I believe I should now have a 4" flange in several sizes. Let's hope at least one is 7 1/4, huh?

I'll let you know when I have had a chance to organize the "new" flanges.

As part of my purchase, I got a 7x Stetson in a nice dove grey in my size, 7 1/8, and I was gifted a NOS Stetson 20x in my size. It was a rather large purchase, but the generosity of the seller truly bowled me over.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Nice find and thank you!
Can't a 7 3/8 flange be used on a 7 1/4?
Dove grey is like silver or darker/lighter? We (I) need pictures of those two

 

[John Galt]

Nice find and thank you!
Can't a 7 3/8 flange be used on a 7 1/4?
Dove grey is like silver or darker/lighter? We (I) need pictures of those two

Yes, a hat can be flanged on a block one size up. It just makes for more work after flanging.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

I still didn't understood how it all works but OK. And one size smaller?

 

[viclip]

I couldn't resist repatriating this Canadian-made Biltmore 7X Western:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7X-Biltmore-the-Canadian-Stetson-Fur-Felt-Hat-Size-7-1-2-New-condition-/221488105336?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=EoH%252BEMQHMNfTvyoGximiN%252FeSmmM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

It's 1 size too small for me however, a generously sized 7-1/2 will often fit my 7-5/8 noggin because of my Yul Brynner hairdo (or lack thereof). If need be I'll stretch the hat a bit.

If the hat is wearable, my intention is to somewhat flatten the "swoops" on the sides thereby urbanizing the hat to a degree. The 4" brim should provide excellent UV protection. I would never consider trimming the brim of such a hat.

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Nice one.
I've been wanting a Biltmore but never found one that "fits" me.

 

[DOGMAN]

Here is a Biltmore Grand Beaver I got a while back.I got this hat to do a conversion.Have purchased hats with the feather band before.But this time the darn thing was glued down.Right in the front of the hat the glue went all the way to the inside of the hat.I think I will take the sweatband out then put it back and make the back of the hat the front.I'll make a beater out of it.Maybe I'll put a bullet hole in the back were the glue is. http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt61/gokutdog/June2014004_zps07fe38ba.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

 

[John Galt]

I still didn't understood how it all works but OK. And one size smaller?

Nay, that doesn't work. The crown of a larger hat won't properly fit in the opening of a smaller flange.

 

[Crazy Dave]

Picked this one up from ebay recently:

http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/3214336...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_614wt_1399

It's about a size too big so I stuffed the sweatband with some doorway/window insulation profile tape thing, until I can get some proper size reducing material.

 

[John Galt]

Here is a Biltmore Grand Beaver I got a while back.I got this hat to do a conversion.Have purchased hats with the feather band before.But this time the darn thing was glued down.Right in the front of the hat the glue went all the way to the inside of the hat.I think I will take the sweatband out then put it back and make the back of the hat the front.I'll make a beater out of it.Maybe I'll put a bullet hole in the back were the glue is. http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt61/gokutdog/June2014004_zps07fe38ba.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Dogman, consider turning it on the block and putting a grommet where the glue was, and in the opposite side. Ermatinger describes this. I did it once, with a pretty good results, on a ruined Ritch Rand OR clone.

 

[viclip]

Here is a Biltmore Grand Beaver I got a while back.I got this hat to do a conversion.Have purchased hats with the feather band before.But this time the darn thing was glued down.Right in the front of the hat the glue went all the way to the inside of the hat.I think I will take the sweatband out then put it back and make the back of the hat the front.I'll make a beater out of it.Maybe I'll put a bullet hole in the back were the glue is. http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt61/gokutdog/June2014004_zps07fe38ba.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Many glues soften with the application of directed dry heat from an embossing gun or even a hair dryer using a metal funnel to channel the heat. This is a common procedure for vintage fountain pen repair where someone has used glue when they should not have. Many adhesives will soften before attaining 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the melting point for shellac (often used to stiffen hat bodies), although some adhesives require substantially more heat such as most epoxies.

For your consideration.

Incidentally, what size is your Biltmore Grand Beaver?

 

[Joao Encarnado]

Here is a Biltmore Grand Beaver I got a while back.I got this hat to do a conversion.Have purchased hats with the feather band before.But this time the darn thing was glued down.Right in the front of the hat the glue went all the way to the inside of the hat.I think I will take the sweatband out then put it back and make the back of the hat the front.I'll make a beater out of it.Maybe I'll put a bullet hole in the back were the glue is.

It looks to be a nice long hair hat. That horrible feather hatband and the use of glue... no no no...

Nay, that doesn't work. The crown of a larger hat won't properly fit in the opening of a smaller flange.

So all work together?

 

[DOGMAN]

Thanks for the ideas John and viclip.Will try heating the glue.The hat had no size tag.I would guess it's a large 7 1/2 or a small 7 5/8.About 8 3/8" front to back,6 3/4" side to side.The hat is big on me being that I'm a 7 1/4 long oval,I can wear 7 3/8 also.But if I put 2 strips of felt front and back I can wear it.

 

[viclip]

Thanks for the ideas John and viclip.Will try heating the glue.The hat had no size tag.I would guess it's a large 7 1/2 or a small 7 5/8.About 8 3/8" front to back,6 3/4" side to side.The hat is big on me being that I'm a 7 1/4 long oval,I can wear 7 3/8 also.But if I put 2 strips of felt front and back I can wear it.

I was toying with the notion of making an offer to acquire your hat to save it from potential damage (assuming it to be Canadian production) but I'm not sure that I could put it to good use in my neck of the woods, whether with or without that feather. Anyways it sounds like you consider the hat to be a keeper. I'd be interested in how it turns out, regards...

 

[Joao Encarnado]

I'm a 7 1/4 long oval,I can wear 7 3/8 also.But if I put 2 strips of felt front and back I can wear it.

Same as me!!