Hat Stretcher.....

[Russ]

How thick is that Stretcherz thing? I was looking at that one myself.

 

[Russ]

Thanks for the link, Mike.
If a 6 3/4 can go to a 7 1/2, then, I guess, a 6 1/2 can go to a 7 1/4?!

I may be wrong, but from looking at various photos, I suspect the 6 3/4 and 6 1/2 numbers refer to the width of the stretcher and not a hat size, since that varies with the position of the stretcher.

 

[TaxMan1]

I just got THIS ONE, and I'm trying it out for the first time even as I type this.

So far, it seems good. The wood is nice and thick, and it fits the size I'll be working with well. No complaints. Plus, it comes from a fellow Kansan!

Anj

How'd it work out, Ande? I've been looking to pull the trigger on one of those as there seems to be 2 a day on eBay.

 

[Ande1963]

My Stretcherz is 1 1/4 thick. It's not quite as sanded and finished looking as the photos the guy shows, but it's fine. You're not gonna get splinters or anything.

As for the stretching, not much yet, but I suspect that's because I'm being a little too careful. I love the hat I'm trying to stretch (a lovely Resistol 990), so I'm taking it very easy. It won't be hard to expand the stretcher quite a bit.

I've been wetting the slick side of the sweat. Should I fold it down and wet the raw side, or just keep trying like this?

Anj

 

[Ande1963]

Success! After wetting the back side of the sweat, applying more pressure, and letting the hat sit on the stretcher for about eight hours, I got the stretch I was after. I put it back on the stretcher just to be sure it will stay that way, but I'm very happy with it... picture soon.

Anj

 

[Zig2k143]

Thanks guys this is great information for a novice like myself.