Block from styrofoam

In-depth discussion of the Fedora of Indiana Jones and all other hats appearing in the Indiana Jones movies

Moderators: Indiana Jeff, Dalexs

Post Reply
darthbish
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 417
Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 9:28 am
Location: The Land Down Under

Block from styrofoam

Post by darthbish »

I was thinking of making a block from styromfoam, to insert in my hat and try to do a "semi-reblock".
Anyone tried this or something similar, and has it worked??
User avatar
3thoubucks
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1133
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 1:26 am
Location: San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
Contact:

Post by 3thoubucks »

I make Winston 360s on styrafoam blocks, reblocking Fed 4s. I dry the felt with a heat gun on low heat to make it shrink to the block. The heat doesn't damage the block if you keep the gun moving. If you are just going for the same blockshape your hat already had, you shouldn't need any heat, and the block will be reuseable.
darthbish
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 417
Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 9:28 am
Location: The Land Down Under

Post by darthbish »

AWWWWWWWRIGHT!!!

Thanks mate.
User avatar
IndianaBogart
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 651
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 10:25 am
Location: ...listening to a tinny piano playing in the parlor downstairs....

Post by IndianaBogart »

Woah! So you're saying that it would be possible for me to re-block my Fed III without sending it off somewhere and without spending $100 on a hat block?!
User avatar
Michaelson
Knower of Things
Posts: 44486
Joined: Tue Jun 25, 2002 12:55 pm
Location: Out here knowing stuff and things and wishing I were with the family at Universal Studios Orlando

Post by Michaelson »

That's what they're saying. ;-)

Regard! Michaelson
User avatar
IndianaBogart
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 651
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 10:25 am
Location: ...listening to a tinny piano playing in the parlor downstairs....

Post by IndianaBogart »

\:D/

Can someone please post more on how to this? Please? Like complete directions from start to finish....please? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks guys,
Bogey
User avatar
GoldenHistorian
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 805
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:40 pm
Location: Doncaster, England

Post by GoldenHistorian »

same here,
bear in mind i am not highly skilled i havent worn hy hat outside the wide world incase it gets wet (i am talking about the U.K. ya know!) and starts to taper i dont want to spend that money on a reblock when i could just make a block and do it myself.
darthbish
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 417
Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 9:28 am
Location: The Land Down Under

Post by darthbish »

I'd suggest that you walk down to your nearest electrical whitegoods retailer, and introduce yourself to the dumpster out the back.

THAT'S WHAT I DID :) :)
User avatar
3thoubucks
Professor of Archaeology
Professor of Archaeology
Posts: 1133
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 1:26 am
Location: San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
Contact:

Post by 3thoubucks »

IndianaBogart wrote:\:D/

Like complete directions from start to finish.
I got a big 2 in. thick sheet of styrofoam at Tap plastics. I almost took some home last week from a dumpster behind a furniture store. Just cut out pieces and glue them together with Elmers white glue (not too close to where the edges will be) Sand to shape, completely soak your crown, pull it over the block, maybe tie twine or use 2 extra long interlinked hose clamps, zip tie, at the brim break.
User avatar
Dalexs
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9011
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2002 2:49 am
Location: Jus' nath' of Bawstin
Contact:

Post by Dalexs »

Once you get that styofoam shaped, you might also consider covering it with Bondo (automotive body filler.)
It will give you a more rigid form to work with, can be easily sanded and modified, and it will be waterproof.
More then a few of us here, have used Bonda for such applications.

Dalexs
User avatar
IndianaBogart
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 651
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 10:25 am
Location: ...listening to a tinny piano playing in the parlor downstairs....

Post by IndianaBogart »

Thanks for the info guys. Would I take out the liner of my hat were I to try and do this? And also, there is not a Tap Plastics near me, where else could I look? And also, how do I go about getting the right size/dimensions/etc. for a Raiders block? (I'm new to re-blocking in case you can't tell. :oops: )
User avatar
Dalexs
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9011
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2002 2:49 am
Location: Jus' nath' of Bawstin
Contact:

Post by Dalexs »

There are a number of threads in here about the block.

You really need to use your personal head/hat size to gauge how big of a block to make.

Marcs tutorial is a good place to start.
viewtopic.php?t=27053

Like someone else mentioned, the dumpster of any number of big box stores might be a good place to start. :[
User avatar
IndianaBogart
Dig Leader
Dig Leader
Posts: 651
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 10:25 am
Location: ...listening to a tinny piano playing in the parlor downstairs....

Post by IndianaBogart »

Great! Thanks for the help Dalexs! I really appreciate it.

IB
Post Reply