HJ style "heated metal expanding block" found?

3thoubucks · Post by **3thoubucks** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:22 am

I can't believe a Google image search found these. Note one has taper and one reverse, or no taper. I wonder if the block shapes are interchangeable on a machine. I wonder if the degree of taper, or tilt is adjustable on the device. Here's what The Aviator's HJ contact said a couple months back on this forum- "I have recovered the original blocks used...one is a heated metal expanding block and is circa 1952 and uses a corkscrew turning wheel"

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:31 am

Whoa...interesting block shape...is there any anecdotal evidence that any of the ROTLA hats were stretched?

(There had to be more than one hat for the production, so I'm a little skeptical they stretched more than one personal hat...

)

Thanks, 3thou - appreciate that you're still out there looking.

The real Henry · Post by **The real Henry** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:15 am

These hat strechers were quite common in the golden era, if I remenber right. I also think that Marc or Steve wondered if they HJs in the films were blocked on one of these hat strechers.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:36 am

The last one of those I've ever seen was in a Western wear hat store in Tallahassee, FL back in the late 80's.

Regards! Michaelson

Antone · Post by **Antone** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:06 pm

I'm pretty sure one of the recent HJ employees said they'd found the original block and the crown stretcher for the original Raiders hat last year when they started talking about the "new restored genuine authentic" Raiders hat they are now supposedly making.

I'll have to see if I can find that old post, but I do remember them quoted in a letter as saying this...

Antone

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:08 pm

John may have some info on this. Seems like he told me that Mr. Swales told him that at sometime after Raiders, they would use one of these to stretch a too small hat out to fit another,larger size. But, I may have that wrong. He would be the one to ask. I will start a new topic and get him to fill us in. Fedora

Oklahoma Jones · Post by **Oklahoma Jones** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:20 am

One of my local western wear shops still uses this same type of stretcher for their hats.

darthjones · Post by **darthjones** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:16 am

Hey, guys! I don't know what them all at HJ did but I have that EXACT same machine as you see lower right there. I use it all the time after my hats end up in the rain!

3thoubucks · Post by **3thoubucks** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:54 pm

Hi darthjones! Only 5 questions

. Does your machine have any taper or reverse taper? Can those halves be tilted to adjust taper? Are there different block shapes you can interchange on the base? What happens to the brim? Does it leave any marks we might look for on the Raiders hat? Thanks!

darthjones · Post by **darthjones** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:45 pm

Hi! Yes, it does have a little bit of a reverse taper. You can see it in that picture on the lower right here at the top of this thread. The blocks are not interchangeable. And really, its exactly that same one you see here. Maybe I should photo it too huh.

I must say that after stretching it does have more of a Raiders look. I really did some stretching on my Peters Bros. and it looked great. The front finally got a hole in it though.

I wish I had more time now to kick back and really work this info. but things are a little tight now.

But I do have that machine and it works great.

3thoubucks · Post by **3thoubucks** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:34 am

Love to see a picture. Is there a date anywhere on the device?

HJ style "heated metal expanding block" found?

HJ style "heated metal expanding block" found?

hat stretcher