Brim trimmer/cutter or rounding jack...

Rick Blaine · Aug 15, 2006

... does anyone have one of these that they would like to sell?
I have more than a few hats that need a little trim & was hoping someone here might have one that they would like to ge rid of... anybody?

Maj.Nick Danger · Aug 15, 2006

Have any pictures? I just might be able to fabricate a reasonable working facsimilie, if I had something to go by.

Maj.Nick Danger · Aug 15, 2006

Just found this page with descriptions of various hat-making operations,...http://www.occupationalinfo.org/58/583685018.html very involved and highly mechanized!

...but as to a simple home version trimmer, I'm thinking that a device like a mat cutter for cutting round or oval mats for art work could be adapted to cut hat brims.

GentlemanFarmer · Aug 15, 2006

Brim cutter

I can ask the guys at my local western store. I'm going to have my old Resistol wool cowboy hat's brim cut down to resemble an OR, so I'll ask them about it.

I had seen an antique brim cutter on eBay several weeks ago, but I'm sure it's either sold or the auction is over. Pretty cool design though.

deanglen · Aug 15, 2006

Scissors.

Maj.Nick Danger · Aug 15, 2006

deanglen said:
Scissors.

Seriously sharp scissors,...and a steady hand.

feltfan · Aug 15, 2006

I am against hat circumcision.

Vintage wide brims are an endangered species.

But if we're talking about modern wool hats, be my guest.

Fedora · Aug 15, 2006

You can get one reasonably from B and L Products, out of Oregon. It clips on the edge of the brim and a blade takes off either 1/8 an inch, or 1/4 depending upon which one you buy. It maintains the original facotory oval.

A rounding jack is hard to find, but JW Hats used to sell his for several hundred dollars. If you are just wanting to take off some brim, go with the B and L model. I think you can pick one up for less than 40 bucks. Fedora

deanglen · Aug 15, 2006

Actually, it's good to know there is something that one can use to trim a brim, cause I plan on some campaign hat production from some blanks I get from one of those civil war reenactor places when funds are available. Great thread info! Thanks!

Rick Blaine · Aug 15, 2006

Maj.Nick Danger said:
Have any pictures? I just might be able to fabricate a reasonable working facsimilie, if I had something to go by.

Fedora said:
You can get one reasonably from B and L Products, out of Oregon. It clips on the edge of the brim and a blade takes off either 1/8 an inch, or 1/4 depending upon which one you buy. It maintains the original facotory oval.

A rounding jack is hard to find, but JW Hats used to sell his for several hundred dollars. If you are just wanting to take off some brim, go with the B and L model. I think you can pick one up for less than 40 bucks. Fedora

Thanks, Fed... B&L referred me to a local tack store who said it'd be 50 clams.... sigh...I let one go f/ $15 a month or two ago on OFAS 'cause I was unsure of what it was/how to use it ... the same local tack store offered to trim the brim f/ nc... though I am going to hold out and try to acquire the necessary tool(s)

GentlemanFarmer · Aug 15, 2006

That's the one

Rick,

That's the one I saw on eBay.

GentlemanFarmer · Aug 15, 2006

Tack shop

Rick,

My western store charges $10 for brim trimming or re-creasing a crown. No charge seems much better.

Brad Bowers · Aug 16, 2006

GentlemanFarmer said:
Rick,

That's the one I saw on eBay.

How'd I miss that one? I've been trying to find one for months!

If I had a wood shop, I'm pretty sure I could make one easily enough.

Brad

Fedora · Aug 16, 2006

That above pic is a rounding jack. That was not what I was talking about, being sold by B and L. You said they referred you to a local store? Do they not sell these anymore?

Rounding jacks are very expensive to buy these days, new ones that is. I lucked up and got one from an ebay seller who sold me a brim iron. I paid 20 buks for the brim iron, and after he had sent it off to me, he sent me an email saying he had another hatter tool but had no clue as to what it was. He sent me a pic, and it was a rounding jack, and one that has the adjusting brass shims for cutting derby brims. (derby brims are generally larger on the sides than the front and back. ) He then said he would take the same for it as the brim iron. I jumped on it. It was mint when I got it. Since the cutting blades are no longer available, I just went and bought a pack of exacto knife blades. I have to grind down one side to get them to fit, but they work perfectly with the fast mods. Fedora

ideaguy · Aug 16, 2006

gotta get one of those early machines that will do double-duty-
trepanning, to make sure the head fits, and brim-trimming, to
ensure the hats' fitment. wanna see someone make that up
in the ol' shop...

Rick Blaine · Aug 16, 2006

Fedora said:
That above pic is a rounding jack. That was not what I was talking about, being sold by B and L. You said they referred you to a local store? Do they not sell these anymore?

Rounding jacks are very expensive to buy these days, new ones that is. I lucked up and got one from an ebay seller who sold me a brim iron. I paid 20 buks for the brim iron, and after he had sent it off to me, he sent me an email saying he had another hatter tool but had no clue as to what it was. He sent me a pic, and it was a rounding jack, and one that has the adjusting brass shims for cutting derby brims. (derby brims are generally larger on the sides than the front and back. ) He then said he would take the same for it as the brim iron. I jumped on it. It was mint when I got it. Since the cutting blades are no longer available, I just went and bought a pack of exacto knife blades. I have to grind down one side to get them to fit, but they work perfectly with the fast mods. Fedora

... sorry, no you're right the local store & I were talking about the small Boston Brim Cutter device, 'bout the size of a pencil sharpener, handheld... and B&L told me that since I am not "in the trade" they could not sell me one directly...the rounding jack was listed & pictured on the same B & L webpage, so I am assuming they still make those as well....

mthatter · Aug 16, 2006

erased by mt

mthatter · Aug 18, 2006

erased by mt

Rick Blaine · Aug 19, 2006

Many thanks John

mthatter said:
Rick, just for clarification, the 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2 inch brim cutter is what you want if you are just trimming the brims of finished hats with the grosgrain ribbon still attached. The 1/8" is the most versatile as you can make multiple passes to get the desired width. It takes about 15 seconds to do this. The rounding jack is used for cutting an uneven width brim without the ribbon on it and running the jack against the block with the hat on the block. PM me if you are unable to locate a brim cutter and I'll get you one.

John
www.rockymountainhatcompany.com

That is just what I was after...I am afaid that you are right, a brim jack would be biting off a little more than I could chew!

Edward · Mar 22, 2011

Hi folks, reviving this thread with a question...

I have a hat I want to take the brim down by just a fraction - preferably 1/8". I'm lookng to buy one of this sort of brim trimmer:

Anyone know where I can pick one up at a sensible price (not something I'll be likely to be using especially often), or anyone have one they'd be willing to sell me? Don't care whether it is vintage or not, it's the functionality I need.

Brim trimmer/cutter or rounding jack...

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