3D printed hat blocks by RANDAL ALAN

rsteinjr · Nov 28, 2019

.....

Héctor Fernández · Nov 28, 2019

rsteinjr said:
Randal Alan just arrived on a space ship with a tool called a 3D PRINTER and he LOVES hats and all things hats. If you want to see hats and tool like never before STAY TUNED.
In the meantime find him on instagram @randalalantools

Can't wait! Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

jlee562 · Nov 28, 2019

...so, are you the official hype man, or does Randal talk in third person?

Héctor Fernández · Nov 28, 2019

3D printing offers endless possibilities. I have seen it first hand with firearms, so I know it is a good concept.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

deadlyhandsome · Nov 28, 2019

rsteinjr said:
Helping a very talented person out, It would be appreciated if we keep this post about the future of hats thank you kindly.

Wow, a new guy shows up and lays down the law to an established, respected, and much valued longterm member. Maybe not the tone to strike. Jared wasn’t the only one who suspected that you were speaking in the third person.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

deadlyhandsome · Nov 28, 2019

jlee562 said:
...so, are you the official hype man, or does Randal talk in third person?

I suspect the same.

I also wonder how much a plastic, resin, poly-something, or ???? hat will appeal to those of us who look for modern or vintage felt and “straw” hats. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

jlee562 · Nov 28, 2019

deadlyhandsome said:
I suspect the same.

I also wonder how much a plastic, resin, poly-something, or ???? hat will appeal to those of us who look for modern or vintage felt and “straw” hats. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

If the "future of hats" looks like a cross between a manhole cover and a burnt marshmallow, I am glad to have shifted my focus to pre-war hats.

I suspect I have a higher tolerance for the bohemian/contemporary styles than many here, but this is hard pass from me.

Héctor Fernández · Nov 28, 2019

Are these 3D molds? Now I'm confused[emoji3061][emoji3061][emoji3061][emoji3061]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Héctor Fernández · Nov 28, 2019

jlee562 said:
If the "future of hats" looks like a cross between a manhole cover and a burnt marshmallow, I am glad to have shifted my focus to pre-war hats.

I suspect I have a higher tolerance for the bohemian/contemporary styles than many here, but this is hard pass from me.

This is not my thing either, but I have worked with 3D applications and I find the idea fascinating.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Héctor Fernández · Nov 28, 2019

rsteinjr said:
haha no no the hat is a felt hat I use 3d printing to make the blocks and flanges

I get that, I just didn't know if the were molds that you use to work the felt. Thanks.

I'm all about innovation and the future. The hat industry itself has evolved throughout the years.

This is not my thing, but I find it interesting.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

deadlyhandsome · Nov 28, 2019

rsteinjr said:
Who doesn't like waffles?! More so who doesn't like texture?! I am a firm believer you will see a lot more texture embossed directly on the the hat in the near future, what are your thoughts and visions for future hats?

Meet "The Waffle" by Randal Alan

It’s a look. I think it could find a market, but like the heavily artificially distressed hats, they will appeal to only a narrow segment of the hat market. I also don’t see such styles enduring.

Most here on The Lounge look for vintage “golden era” hats or new hats inspired by that time. Not a lot of avant-garde hat people here, but it’s nice to see new styles. The vintage hats we love so much were the newfangled style at one time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The Wiser Hatter · Nov 28, 2019

I can understand that hat makers would want new blocks as the old blocks are very valuable and there are just a few wood block makers.
I would think the blocks with textures would be for someone who looks at a hat as a piece of jewelry that they wear as a statement. Where as most on the forum wear hats because they love the style and craftsmanship of a well made fedora. One see’s many “stars” wear hats as an accessory with little sense of style but a lot of effect. The flat brim fedora comes to mind. With an unshaped crown. While they think it looks “cool” to a those here it just look stupid. [emoji3]

Rmccamey · Nov 28, 2019

Looks like 3D printing might change the way molds are made but not really how hats are made these days. As Brent said, I'm sure there is a market segment to tap into but most on the Lounge are after felt that we can shape and mold into something of our own because some days we like waffles, other days we like pancakes, and sometimes we like crepes. Looks like the hat you featured is once a waffle, always a waffle.

deadlyhandsome · Nov 29, 2019

jlee562 said:
If the "future of hats" looks like a cross between a manhole cover and a burnt marshmallow, I am glad to have shifted my focus to pre-war hats.

I suspect I have a higher tolerance for the bohemian/contemporary styles than many here, but this is hard pass from me.

I’m in complete agreement. This style leaves me cold and completely uninterested.

Héctor Fernández · Nov 29, 2019

Tough crowd[emoji1]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

scottyrocks · Nov 29, 2019

I think that if the initial post included a full explanation of the 3D-printed block idea that this thread wouldn't have come to the point it has. Reading it was sort of like eating a bad mushroom.

Frunobulax · Nov 29, 2019

Agreed. I came in here hoping to read about making 3D printed blocks and walked into a train wreck.

The designs being shown are awful but I'm interested in the process. Whatever they're made of, can they withstand the abuse a wooden block will? How much do they weigh? What kind of prices are we talking?

rsteinjr · Nov 29, 2019

Frunobulax said:
Agreed. I came in here hoping to read about making 3D printed blocks and walked into a train wreck.

The designs being shown are awful but I'm interested in the process. Whatever they're made of, can they withstand the abuse a wooden block will? How much do they weigh? What kind of prices are we talking?

Block weigh about a 3rd of a wooden block, They have never failed under pressure or heat, $65 1 week turn around time

deadlyhandsome · Nov 29, 2019

rsteinjr said:
Block weigh about a 3rd of a wooden block, They have never failed under pressure or heat, $65 1 week turn around time

Now I’m interested. No blocks on his website yet, but I’ll keep looking.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

humanshoes · Nov 29, 2019

Frunobulax said:
can they withstand the abuse a wooden block will?

My question as well Fruno. I subject my wooden blocks to high heat, steam, and as much pressure as I can bring to bear. I'll be curious to see how this plant based 3D printing material will hold up to the rigors of day to day hat making.
As to hats pressed onto molds to create off-beat new styles, I say go for it. I imagine that, at some point, Orville said something like, "Hell Wilbur, let's just throw the damn thing in the air and see what happens."

3D printed hat blocks by RANDAL ALAN

Would you use a 3D printed hat block?

Yes

No

New in Town

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

One Too Many

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

New in Town

One Too Many

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics