AKUBRA needs stretching

[landychris]

I know I am up for all the big head comments, however would like your ideas. I was thinking about getting a new akubra until I saw the price. My old hat that I have had since the 70's was ok for about a year or two then it shrunk, so was taken over by the kids. As now they have finally:wasntme: left home for good :mad::(:):D it's time to finally regain cupboard and garage space. After several years and requests to take their junk with them it was time to take a stand and SPRING CLEAN. Out came the Star Wars stuff, the flip phones and the multi stacker car cd stacker thing. Then there it was, after all those years, behind the wave board :o my old akubra. But it sits on my head like a party hat.

QUESTION
Has anyone used a hat stretcher, do they work, and will the hat shrink again. Or do I just wet it and pull it over toyshop type plastic ball and hope for the best.
landychris

[olbod]

I dont know exactly how small yours is but with mine I soaked it and then wore it around on my head untill it was dry. Mind you this was up here on a summers day !!!
Now fits very well.
You may have to wet the brim and re shape if it has sagged during the wearing.

Gibbit a go.

Robert.

[V8Ian]

Just get a haircut. :p

[Debacle]

Skull Reduction | Eppley Plastic Surgery (http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com/blog/tag/skull-reduction/)

[landychris]

Just get a haircut. :p

The passing of time has done that already:(

[Marshall]

We used to turn on the kettle, keep the water boiling and hold the hat over the steam. The felt gets really soft, then pull it down over your head!

[akelly]

My experience has been its the internal band that shrinks - I have jumped in a hot shower with my hat on to stretch it out. Seemed to work OK - you have to wear the hat until it dries though, otherwise it just shrinks back. Bonus is you get to reshape it at the same time!

[olbod]

I have always removed the internal band from all my hats.
Feels more comfortable in the hot climates as the hat absorbs some of the sweat and probably helps keep its fit.
If it starts to pong after a couple of years, give it a dusting with carpet deodoriser and kick it around the yard for a bit.

Robert.

[richard4u2]

The passing of time has done that already:(
i just had a hair cut do you want me to post of the off cuts and a bottle of clag glue :angel:

[landychris]

i just had a hair cut do you want me to post of the off cuts and a bottle of clag glue :angel:

:Rolling::dbcry: Thanks but too windy and wet in Vic at the moment
Chris

[LowRanger]

I actually have a hat stretcher,and yes they do work.I have about 5-6 different Akubras,and they do tend to shrink over the years.I just give them a soaking in hot water,especially the band,then fit the stretcher and adjust as required,the let to sit and dry naturally,out of the sun for a few days.

[Fluids]

Just get a haircut. :p

Funny enough, that was just the answer for me :)

.... for a moment I thought I'd become one of those fatheads !

Sent from my iPad using Braille

[wrinklearthur]

I actually have a hat stretcher,and yes they do work.I have about 5-6 different Akubras,and they do tend to shrink over the years.I just give them a soaking in hot water,especially the band,then fit the stretcher and adjust as required,the let to sit and dry naturally,out of the sun for a few days.

Any chance of a photo showing it?

[rick130]

I actually have a hat stretcher,and yes they do work.I have about 5-6 different Akubras,and they do tend to shrink over the years.I just give them a soaking in hot water,especially the band,then fit the stretcher and adjust as required,the let to sit and dry naturally,out of the sun for a few days.

I have an adjustable block too, they work a treat.

I'll get a pic Arthur, mines plastic and has two halves, front and back, with a left and RH threaded rod out of each half and a 'tie rod' between.

You just wind the 'tie rod' out to stretch the band.

[Mick_Marsh]

More importantly, where do you get them?

[spudboy]

OK - here's a farmer's solution. Doesn't involve water or wearing or haircuts!

I had the exact same issue, and tried a few things like those mentioned above, but it always was just a bit too tight.

Then one day I was wearing it in the shed hacksawing some steel on my 8" vice, and I had the idea.

Put the hat on the vice and wind it out gently until you can feel it is pretty tight, and leave it for 5 minutes. I actually heard a tiny bit of thread creaking which I assume was the inside hat band. Turn it 90 degrees and have another go.

Done!


http://pimg.tradeindia.com/00206204/b/3/Unbreakable-Steel-Bench-Vice.jpg

[LowRanger]

Any chance of a photo showing it?

Ask and ye shall receive :D
This is it fitted to an old hat that I wear at work

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc106/flhrc/019.jpg

[rick130]

Plastic version of an adjustable hat block.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=50774&stc=1&d=1347091576

[wrinklearthur]

Please do not read this posting if you have a weak stomach.

The alternative to stretching a hat, is practised by some insular ethnic groups, they have a method that would give any one a headache.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/09/1098.jpg

Ref; http://www.head-hunter.com/prep.html
.

[Chops]

Hmm, well now I know how to do that little process,,,

How much are the hat blocks, although looking at their design, it could be easy to make one with some wood and a length of all thread rod.

[meldrew]

There are some on eBay for around $ 30 posted. Some are really expensive but the $30 ones look like they would work. I was thinking of getting one myself, as new Akubras are a terrible price, and my head appears to have increased in size with assorted compliments over the years. :)

[rick130]

[snip]
How much are the hat blocks, although looking at their design, it could be easy to make one with some wood and a length of all thread rod.

Can't remember how much I paid, I've had it for years, probably picked up in a saddlery somewhere.

[S3ute]

Any chance of a photo showing it?
Most western wear and saddlery shops sell them up here - around $45.

The main culprit is leaving the hat on the back shelf of a car or upside down in the sun - shrinks the band.

My own experience is that once the band has actually shrunk it is quite hard to get a permanent stretch back into them.

Cheers,

[landychris]

I have always removed the internal band from all my hats.Feels more comfortable in the hot climates as the hat absorbs some of the sweat and probably helps keep its fit.If it starts to pong after a couple of years, give it a dusting with carpet deodoriser and kick it around the yard for a bit.

Robert.

Top idea thanks Robert :BigThumb:. I did this and the fit is quite good. Not too sure about the carpet deodoriser, I think soap and water will to the trick for me.
Chris