Hat Block questions.

[gi_canuck]

Thinking of making my own hat... Don't have enough woodmaking skills to make a proper hat block though... thinking of getting a hat block from a vendor... Anyone has any suggestions? I hear Ohio Jones makes awesome raiders block...

Has anyone tried these guys at all? http://www.hatblocks.co.uk/crownblocks.html

Any help is appreciated...

[Indiana G]

gi....thought you were in vancouver? good to see that we are both albertans now

i've never ordered anything across the pond in regards to blocks, but look at those prices. i don't think those are worth it considering you'll probably be paying my buddies at customs/duties on top of those prices (and also delivery).

for that money....you'll be in ohio jones' price range and he can customize it to exactly what you need.

lamode also makes hat blocks, but they won't yield a good raiders hat out of the box. with the amount of jackhammering and bondo you need to do on a lamode block, you might as well get ohio to do her up. when you make your first hat, can i have it?

[Ohio Jones]

Blocks and more blocks.....yes making a block can be very rewarding...or the bane of your existence..lol. I know from personal experience. You can make a block with basic tools that most of us might have around the garage but in order to have a nice block that will last you have to have good wood, good glue, good finish....and a lot of time.

If you want to make a block I would strongly avoid pine from the home centers.......it just wont last. They either dry that stuff out way to much or its still "wet". It never stops moving....and by that I mean expanding and contracting. Look for a nice closed grain hardwood. For the most part I go with function over form in what I am building ...and as much as I love cherry....I found out that it makes a great looking block...but not one to use a lot. Some people may have had better luck with it...but I did not.

I am a woodworker by trade and love making just about anything out of it. It is an awesome medium to work with. I love to see the artisans on here work with their raw materials of felt, ribbon, fabric, leather and I am always amazed at what you guys produce. Keep up the great work guys!

cheers
Ohio

[BendingOak]

Listen to this man. He is a master at wood craft, block making and almost anything out of wood. I doubt given the time there isn't a thing this guy can't do.

[Indiana G]

Listen to this man. He is a master at wood craft, block making and almost anything out of wood. I doubt given the time there isn't a thing this guy can't do.

okay, i want an idol grab fedora in a 7 1/8 size c/w turn carved out of canadian maple...........oh who am i kidding.......ohio can probably even nail that too!

a working webley out of mahogany?

ohio, my friend....thanks for the kind PM. i enjoyed making alot of the hats i have because of the top shelf blocks you made for me.

if you're going to make a hat folks, start out with a good block and a good hat body. the rest is easy

[BendingOak]

if you're going to make a hat folks, start out with a good block and a good hat body. the rest is easy

Now, that's a statement.

[Ohio Jones]

Listen to this man. He is a master at wood craft, block making and almost anything out of wood. I doubt given the time there isn't a thing this guy can't do.

okay, i want an idol grab fedora in a 7 1/8 size c/w turn carved out of canadian maple...........oh who am i kidding.......ohio can probably even nail that too!

a working webley out of mahogany?

ohio, my friend....thanks for the kind PM. i enjoyed making alot of the hats i have because of the top shelf blocks you made for me.

if you're going to make a hat folks, start out with a good block and a good hat body. the rest is easy

Thank you G and Oak for the kind words...and I am so very glad you like what I have made for you.

G.......Give me a little time...I could probably pull those items off...LMAO...but Canadian Maple...thats got to much suga in it...HAHA.

A working webley out of mahogany! That might be not only fun to do...but very possible. With a set of bloodwood bullets.....and maybe ebony grips...Hmmmmmmmmmm......now you got me thinking......

[BendingOak]

see what you did, you got Matt thinking.

[gi_canuck]

Thank you so much guys. It's been really helpful... I guess getting one from Ohio Jones would be the best option I have... I definitely have to talk to him about that for sure!! Come to think of it, I still have to send my hat to Bending Oak and get it reblocked!! Anywho, once again, thank you all for your help!!