Need instructions and guidance on forming a felt Stetson
Found a nice used 4X Stetson for the wife at a thrift store. Yes, a thrift store. Trouble is, the brim is misshapen. Called the seller (Myrna's Boots and Bits) to see who serviced her hats. Have to drive to Fredericksburg VA to find the guy -- that's a four hour ordeal from RVA.
So, what would an enterprising young man do to reshape the brim properly? Keep in mind it is a 4X Stetson. I hate making mistakes.
Luckily, I have enough willpower to control the driving ambition that rages within me.
When you had the votes, we did things your way. Now, we have the votes and you will be doing things our way. This lesson in political reality from Lyndon B. Johnson
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." - Justice Janice Rogers Brown
December 22, 2017, 01:05 PM
ScorpionBoy
there are no western wear shops near you?
December 22, 2017, 02:43 PM
4MUL8R
There is one western wear shop in this town. It is the seller of the hat, Myrna's Boots and Bits. This store does not have a hat fitter, and suggested that I go to Fredericksburg VA to find someone in some shopping center. Not very helpful.
Thanks for the link on the shape device and the youtube. I may be able to use an iron as a steamer, but we don't have a boot barn store.
------- Trying to simplify my life...
December 22, 2017, 02:53 PM
TXJIM
Do you have a tea kettle? Get a good rolling boil going and work the brim over the spout and shape as desired using your hands. It's not that complicated of a process. Steam the area to be shaped, smooth and flex the brim toward the desired shape as it stiffen, apply more steam and continue to smooth and flex. Move around the brim working and steaming as you go.
______________________________ “I'd like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining people who think the world owes them a living.” ― John Wayne
December 22, 2017, 02:54 PM
JALLEN
Maybe it is cheaper on balance to just get a new one.
Luckily, I have enough willpower to control the driving ambition that rages within me.
When you had the votes, we did things your way. Now, we have the votes and you will be doing things our way. This lesson in political reality from Lyndon B. Johnson
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." - Justice Janice Rogers Brown
December 22, 2017, 03:00 PM
4MUL8R
Got it. Tea kettle and steam per instructions on the video. I think I can do this!
------- Trying to simplify my life...
December 22, 2017, 03:13 PM
swani
If it was a 10x I would take it to a professional, 4x steam the hell out of it and shape to your liking
Guns-I have some
December 22, 2017, 03:57 PM
jhe888
quote:
Originally posted by TXJIM: Do you have a tea kettle? Get a good rolling boil going and work the brim over the spout and shape as desired using your hands. It's not that complicated of a process. Steam the area to be shaped, smooth and flex the brim toward the desired shape as it stiffen, apply more steam and continue to smooth and flex. Move around the brim working and steaming as you go.
There you go. Steam. Hot steam.
Now, a modern Stetson will have a fair amount of shellac or other stiffener in it, so it won't reshape as easily as a vintage felt hat, but it will reshape. Just keep at it. Steam and more steam.
There should be videos on Youtube.
You can't hurt it. If you don't like it, do it over again.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
December 22, 2017, 03:57 PM
JALLEN
Around here, larger dry cleaners kept full facilities for cleaning and blocking, restoring Stetson and similar hats. Almost every man owned at least one good hat, and many had several, some very expensive.
You might call around the large cleaner shops.
Luckily, I have enough willpower to control the driving ambition that rages within me.
When you had the votes, we did things your way. Now, we have the votes and you will be doing things our way. This lesson in political reality from Lyndon B. Johnson
"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." - Justice Janice Rogers Brown
December 22, 2017, 05:17 PM
zoom6zoom
I know your pain. There used to be one Western Wear shop in Woodbridge that formed hats but is no longer in business.
I have my own style of humor. I call it Snarkasm.
December 22, 2017, 06:25 PM
Elk Hunter
quote:
Originally posted by TXJIM: Do you have a tea kettle? Get a good rolling boil going and work the brim over the spout and shape as desired using your hands. It's not that complicated of a process. Steam the area to be shaped, smooth and flex the brim toward the desired shape as it stiffen, apply more steam and continue to smooth and flex. Move around the brim working and steaming as you go.
This! I bought my stetson years ago in Arizona. The hat shop did all the shaping right then and there, used a steamer.
Elk
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I've done two now with the teakettle. I got a first hand observation of the process some 35 years ago. My brother was living in Rowlett TX, and the Resistol factory outlet store was nearby. I didn't buy a hat then, but watched the fitters at work. They had a steam-on-demand setup, just by pressing a foot pedal.
December 23, 2017, 10:16 AM
71 TRUCK
I forgot my hat in a hot car several times. I have used a tea kettle several times. just be careful not to burn your self.
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A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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NRA Life Member
December 23, 2017, 11:07 AM
Ironworker
quote:
Originally posted by 4MUL8R: Found a nice used 4X Stetson for the wife at a thrift store. Yes, a thrift store. Trouble is, the brim is misshapen. Called the seller (Myrna's Boots and Bits) to see who serviced her hats. Have to drive to Fredericksburg VA to find the guy -- that's a four hour ordeal from RVA.
So, what would an enterprising young man do to reshape the brim properly? Keep in mind it is a 4X Stetson. I hate making mistakes.
Sir, could you post the name of the store in Fredericksburg, VA? I don't live too far from there, and I am looking for a new hat. Thank you, Ironworker.