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  1. ChicagoWayVito

    Making a Hat Block

    This is the problem I am trying to address with my collection of blocks. I have a single block and flange in long oval.
  2. ChicagoWayVito

    Why?

    Just speculating here. People want to look "good". When you see something on the screen that inspires you and universally most everyone else likes that item too then you are likely fooled into the sense that you too will look good in that hat or that outfit. Most of us who saw Raider's remember...
  3. ChicagoWayVito

    Making a Hat Block

    The 3D printed blocks by Randall Alan might need to fill in the holes as I need them. I only have one of his and I am using it for the first time now, so will see how it goes. It has held up to the steam for now, but I do pay close attention when steaming on that block and I don't have to worry...
  4. ChicagoWayVito

    Making a Hat Block

    Looks like blocks and flanges at Hatters Supply House increased by $50 each. I will take a look at Jaxon Howell blocks.
  5. ChicagoWayVito

    SIZOR Adjustable Headband for Hats

    Can we get a photo that shows the bow?
  7. ChicagoWayVito

    Making a Hat Block

    Are they less expensive that Hatter's Supply House?
  8. ChicagoWayVito

    Making a Hat Block

    Great work on the block! I love my shinto rasp too. You also did a great job on the hat, congratulations.
  9. ChicagoWayVito

    Snowflake & Star Vent Hole Template

    I don't use the block when punching the holes at all (I invested too much money in blocks to do that :)) I created my own "jig" that allows me to punch in both crown and sides of the hat. I think I post pictues of my rig several years ago and may be on this thread. I basically use 1 inch...
  10. ChicagoWayVito

    Snowflake & Star Vent Hole Template

    This is quite nice and has a bit of optical illusion to it in the first picture. Did you put a light under the hat to show the holes? For that singular large hole, I would punch that at 2.5mm or maybe 3.0mm and the rest would be 1.5mm I may have to make a pattern of this design.
  11. ChicagoWayVito

    Snowflake & Star Vent Hole Template

    I like the pattern, it is a nice vintage pattern. To my eye though it is too large and is unbalanced in size to crown ratio. My opinion is smaller diameter and then smaller vent holes too. For the holes I would punch 1.5mm holes only. Just my opinion. Also, I hope they didn't sacrifice a block...
  13. ChicagoWayVito

    Thank You

    Very beautiful hat and you wear it extremely well.
  14. ChicagoWayVito

    M.C. Gannon Hat Company

    Please tell us more about the hat specifications. The felt looks like a heather, is it rabbit, etc. Looks great and I am sure you will get many years of enjoyment out of it.
  15. ChicagoWayVito

    Hat making?? Learning Millinery..

    While true that fractionated coconut oil is odorless and tasteless the main pro for is hatters is that it will never return to a solid state as the fatty acids have been removed. Regular coconut oil is solid at room temp as the fat has a higher melting point. One can also use Vaseline to lure...
  16. ChicagoWayVito

    Sourcing Hat Blocks

    I just came across this block maker in France: Didier Laforest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hatsblocks.laforest Their website unfortunately is down: www.hatsblocks.com (in case it comes back up)
  17. ChicagoWayVito

    Hat making?? Learning Millinery..

    Oooooh, thick leather for inserts. That sounds like a brilliant idea. Probably just using some inexpensive veg tanned tooling leather. Something for me to consider.
  19. ChicagoWayVito

    Hat making?? Learning Millinery..

    I finally decided to set aside some time to dedicate to learning a newsboy-style hat. Right now I have only completed the shell on this Peaky Blinders "Shelby" hat. Take a look at my first attempt so far. My top stitching got a little wonky in a couple of places but most of the time it really...
  20. ChicagoWayVito

    Wolfbrae Custom Hatters

    Nice hat, the ribbon color really helps pull out the black cherry undertones. I have come to give Winchester a break on the old versus new black cherry color. I know most of us really prefer the old black cherry color. Winchester would love to be able to produce the old black cherry color but...
  21. ChicagoWayVito

    Hat making?? Learning Millinery..

    Gentlement, $5K should be the cost for two sewing machines. For that price, you should be able to get a Sweatband sewing machine and a brim binding sewing machine. For my ASM 1107-1 and my Singer 108w20 just for the two machines, I paid $3K but maybe scarcity and inflation have raised them to...
  22. ChicagoWayVito

    Hat making?? Learning Millinery..

    Hornskov I do believe uses machines but Hufvud does not and he hand sews everything. The aluminum disk plates that I have are 1/8" inch and work great with my plating machine, basically, it has two thicker aluminum plates that sandwich the thin plate with the hat body inside. It is heated too...
  23. ChicagoWayVito

    Photos of hatters tools

    I reached out to the hat maker who posted the video with the electric curling shackle, he purchased it from someplace in NJ/NY 25 - 30 years ago and they went out of business shortly after he purchased it. He has never seen one like it since.

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