Flange and block cleaning

[Fredthecat]

I picked up a couple of old wooden hat blocks and flanges at a flea market. They’ve seen better days. My previous ones have a nice finish patina to them, these are just old, dry and worn looking.

How would you restore them to be usable on hats?

I can clean and sand, seal, stain etc to make them “look pretty”. But, actually want to use them and don’t want anything to stain hats.

What was used on them originally and what did/do hatters use to maintain the finish?

Thanks, Fredthecat

 

[John in Covina]

I don't know how they were finished in the past but the question in my mind is what condition will the hat be when placed on the block and flange.

Will it be damp or wet and will it be hot, steamed, pressed really hard.

Some of the polyurethanes are probably tough enough to put up with some heavy duty use. However it might be necesary for the wood to be open and allow it to draw in moisture. Depending on that answer some of the on line woodworking specialists would probably have finishing stuff that will be perfect.

 

[PhilS]

This thread has me wondering...

I have little in the way of woodcraft skills, but I can cut with a jigsaw and I can sand with a belt sander. Could I make my own block, using my own head specifications, using glue and plywood? Should I? Has anyone ever done this? How did it work?

 

[John in Covina]

Making a custom block would be pretty awesome.

You could make a plaster cast of your head from the top down to say your ears. That would allow you to copy the shape onto a block of wood.

Might take a little more exacting artistry than what i am capable of myself.

 

[tonyb]

I can think of a guy or three here who have made their own blocks. You'll find more over at Club Obi Wan. Also there you can find a photo tutorial on how one person made his.

I'm not a woodworker -- I have neither the tools nor the skills, so for me it's ebay for blocks and flanges. But from what I've seen and read, it appears that block-making does not require advanced knowledge or equipment. Indeed, I'm tempted to try it myself, although I'd probably be happier with the results (at least initially) if I entrusted the actual hands-on work to an old buddy who just happens to be a finish carpenter.

 

[fletch31]

Spar Varnish is what has traditionally been used to seal hat blocks according to my reading. It is called spar varnish because was used to protect wood exposed to the seas on ships.

 

[Tango Yankee]

I was thinking of using a clear wood deck treatment like Thompsons Water Seal.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[jpdesign]

nytime I et a block that has been sealed in some way I sand it off. Seals on the wood prevent moisture from going through the hat and into the wood. This causes extra moisture to build up in the hat and can cause spotting and hard places in the felt. I am speaking of steam blocking, rather than wet.