How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

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NJIndy
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How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by NJIndy »

I am a 59 (7 3/8) and have used sizing tape to reduce a 60 (7 1/2) but how far can I push it?

I am seen some great deals on hats on Ebay but in 61 - 63 (7 5/8-7 3/4)....

Reasonably ;) , what is the largest size I can buy and use sizing tape?
Some of the hats or the prices aren't worth the added cost of professionally resizing.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Pete
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binkmeisterRick
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by binkmeisterRick »

I'd usually say up to a size difference, but any larger and it begins to look like you're trying to fit a hat that's too big for you.
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Indiana Bugs
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by Indiana Bugs »

I would also say up to one size. Otherwise the hat will sort of float on your head. And maybe look like a pasta pot.
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raider 57
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by raider 57 »

Yes, don't do this:

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Ar ... n_Full.jpg

:lol:

I use two pieces of tape, one in front, one in back.
It seems to make the most difference in those places.
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Indiana Jeff
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by Indiana Jeff »

I came across these trolling around the other day. The site lists they are terry cloth which I figure will be good to prevent sweat from getting through to the liner. There's two models listed, one to reduce one hat size and the other for two sizes. I agree that trying to go down two sizes would likely be too much.

http://www.falkoffs.com/falkoffs/dept.a ... 3V594T73P3

I bought one in black so I'll post a review once it arrives.

Regards,

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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by Fedora »

Yeah Bink is right. One size is about all you can hope for. But with that said, personally I hate the sizing tape. I like my sweats to be sized right.

What I would suggest doing with a hat that is one size too big is just to have someone, or yourself, drum the right sized sweat into the hat. A hat with a drummed sweatband, will be one of the most comfortable hats to wear as well. But you can only change the size by this method, by one size. Like a 7 3/8 being drummed into a 7 1/4.

The trouble with off the shelf sizing is that many folks actually are in between sizes. I would venture to say, about half of the hats I make are actually in between sizes. If you have a local hatter, he can drum in the right sized sweat in a very short time, using the sweatband sewing machine. If not, you could send it off to a hatter that has reasonable turn around times. Fedora
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by NJIndy »

Thanks for all the great replies...

Sounds like one size is it...

I like the idea of adding another "internal" sweatband but I can see that if they are more than one size different it could get messy.

Pete
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by FloatinJoe »

Fedora wrote:The trouble with off the shelf sizing is that many folks actually are in between sizes. I would venture to say, about half of the hats I make are actually in between sizes. If you have a local hatter, he can drum in the right sized sweat in a very short time, using the sweatband sewing machine. If not, you could send it off to a hatter that has reasonable turn around times. Fedora
I'll vouch for that. I'm measured in at 22 5/8 inches or 57.5 cm. That's right between 7 1/8 and 7 1/4. It really stinks to try and find hats.

Mike
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by Imahomer »

I thought Ebay had everything, but I didn't see any sizing tape there. I might not have searched well enough I suppose. I only need a small amount for one hat and I was wondering if anyone here would be kind enough to see me a little bit. I'm in California.

Thank you...

Mike
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Indiana Bugs
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by Indiana Bugs »

You dont need 'sizing tape,' per se. Theres lots of stuff that can be used, anything from folded paper to folded cloth, like a slice of a bandana. Im sure others can recommend other stuff.
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by Odo »

Fedora wrote:Yeah Bink is right. One size is about all you can hope for. But with that said, personally I hate the sizing tape. I like my sweats to be sized right.
And I don't know how do you do, but I ordered a "58.75" cm, and that's exactly what I've recived. As I usually buy 59cm hats, your's is the only one that its perfect.
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by gwyddion »

Imahomer wrote:I thought Ebay had everything, but I didn't see any sizing tape there. I might not have searched well enough I suppose. I only need a small amount for one hat and I was wondering if anyone here would be kind enough to see me a little bit. I'm in California.

Thank you...

Mike
Do they sell wheatherstrips in California? Why I ask is because the sizing tape I have is indistinguishable from wheatherstrips they sell here: both are foam with glue on one side.

The stuff I am talking about: http://elton.nl/Flexible-draught-strips ... ndows.ashx


Regards, Geert
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Imahomer
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by Imahomer »

Thanks Geert...

I get the basic idea and I'll see what I can find.

Mike
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Re: How far can sizing tape reduce a hat's size?

Post by Fedora »

I can think of few things that is worse than an ill sized hat. It it is too tight, you get a headache. If too loose, you spend all your time chasing it in the wind. I once chased a too loose fedora down the side of an interstate outside of Myrtle Beach S.C. Each time, it was almost within my grasp another 18 wheeler insured that I had to run some more. It had my wife laughing so hard, she could not catch her breath! But, it wasn't funny to me, at the time. Now it is! :lol: I must have caused many travelers to laugh that day. It was something straight out of a Laurel and Hardy film. Fedora
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