Where & Cost to cut/reblock a Cowboy Hat to Indy Hat?

[NJIndy]

Is it cost efficient to take a cowboy hat and reblock it, trim the brim to Indy specs, and get a new ribbon etc?

If so... who would do something like that and any idea of cost?

I look at it this way... if I take a hat I have and the conversion cost is the same or higher cost as buying something like an Akubra Fed IV, then I should just buy something else and keep the cowboy hat intact for the few times I need it.

Of course if I could take a hat I only use rarely and make it daily lid for a small cost...

All help would be appreciated...

Pete

[bigrex]

Sure, it can be cost effective, just depends on which you have more of -time, or money. If you have lots of time, it can be an effective and fun alternative, be sure to pick a decent hat for conversion though, that can sink you before you've even started if you pick too far amiss.

[mark seven]

I've re-blocked a few cowboy hats.If you have a block then it can be an inexpensive(and fun!) way of making a decent Indy hat.If you keep your eyes open you can pick up some nice old Beaver cowboy hats on ebay dirt cheap.Be sure to ask the seller how tall the crown is though as a lot of the hats are too tall for an Indy hat.I go for the 5" (creased) hats.The brims are usually really stiff but can be shaped with water.

[Indiana Jeff]

There have been a few around here that have successfully converted cowboy hats. Steve Delk has often written how the fedora evolved from the cowboy hat so it's a very natural progression.

In terms of cost efficiency, at the end of the day, probably not if your alternate is in the Akubra price range. Sounds like you already have a cowboy hat so you don't have that expense, but getting a block and other supplies will be an investment and if you have to replace the cowboy hat for occasional use there's that expense as well.

I'm very impressed with any of our members that have done home projects as lower cost alternatives to buying from vendors, but when I've run the numbers for any project I thought I could save money on by doing it myself, I've found the cost of doing myself is not significantly cheaper than buying outright. Tells you about the profit margins the vendors have.

On the other hand, as a fun project to make your own fedora without going all the way to buying a raw felt body, I say go for it if that's your interest.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[NJIndy]

Fully agree....

The cost to gearup for a one hat conversion is not worth it.

Is there anyone out there (or know of anyone) who would take this project on at a reasonable price?

I can see it being worthwhile if the cost could be at or under $50...

Is this possible?

Pete

[DR Ulloa]

I took a black western hat and reblocked it into a fedora. I had a blast doing it too. If you want it done professionally, you can ask John Penman what he would cost you to convert that hat. It will be less expensive than buying a new hat, that's for sure.

Dave

[Dangerman009]

Why not make a block out of styrofoam? That's what I did, and got these results.

Before:



After:



Making a foam block is easy and cheap. Just make sure it's covered with plastic wrap or you'll have a really tough time getting the hat off. That hat cost me about $19 at Burlington Coat Factory, the roll of ribbon was about $4, I bought the foam from Hobby Lobby, I think it was $6 or so. What ended up costing alot was the time I put into it. Getting an Indy-looking bow can be very difficult, but I think I've found what works for me. There was alot of time spent on it. So, if you'd rather spend your time than your money (like me), go for it. Getting decent (key word here) results is not hard to do.

[RaidersBash]

that hat looks great after the rework!
making a foam block sounds interesting.
can you give more details as to how you did that?

[Dangerman009]

I had a Dorfman that fit well, so:

• 1-I traced the inside of the hat on paper or card stock
  2-traced that on a large piece of 2" foam and cut out three layers (not cutting too close to the line)
  3-I used hot glue to glue the three 2" layers together.
  4-I sanded the sides even and the shape in the top of the block.
  5-Then I took plastic wrap, the kind used to protect food when in the refrigerator, covered the top and sides of the block with it.
  6-Then used clear packing tape to secure it.

What I'd do differently now:

• 1-The shape I traced from the Dorfman was not uniform. To do it again I would take a small wire or something else that would hold it's shape, and wrap it around my head. Then I'd measure the width, length and circumference of the wire. Then I'd take those measurements and, in a graphics application, draw an oval to those dimensions. I'd print it, cut it out and use that to get a perfect oval.
  2-When sanding the shape into the top of the block I'd try better to get a smooth, uniform shape. I attached a piece of sandpaper to a board and rubbed the block across that. I think sanding by mechanical means would be better.
  3-I'm fine with the plastic wrap protecting it, but others may like using something else to seal it. Like bondo or even that plastic stuff you get at the hardware to seal windows in an old house with. You stretch this plastic over the entire window frame then use a hairdryer to shrink it and it secures it to the frame then. Maybe something like that.

My total time into it was between two and three hours. I've got alot of use out of that block over the past three and a half years. Having your own block will open up many hat opportunities for you. The hat I redid was labeled a medium and I usually between a large and extra large. No problem. I stretched it out over the block. If you have or find an existing hat that's too small with a leather sweatband, you'll have to remove it before you stretch it out. Mine has a ridiculous little fabric sweatband, so I didn't bother. I've been wanting to try getting a crushable wool felt cowboy hat (It'd have to be a big one) and reblocking it, ribbon and Raiders bashing it.

Happy hatting.

[RaidersBash]

That's awesome! Can't wait to try it!

[IndyRiv]

I see that I'm at least 2 years behind this post but I thought I'd post that I know of a fellow who used to take Stetson cowboy hats and remake them into Indy fedoras. In fact, my current hat is one of the first he ever did and it's superb. If interested, PM me and I'll try to get you in touch with him. He's kind of gotten away from it, but if you're looking for just one or two hats, he might be able to do them reasonably as a small hobby project.

[fenris]

Pics please!

[Strider]

We have Hobby Lobby here in Oklahoma. Might have to try this!!!

[getoutofthelibrary]

Peters Bros. turned this Resistol:



into this:

[akasha1963]

That is gorgeous!

Peters Bros. turned this Resistol:



into this:

[Indiana Greg]

Optimo took this Stetson 25



And made it into this:





for $100.