Hats don’t fit like mine? Sometimes mine can give me a head ache if they shrink. Here’s a simple hat stretcher you can make.
Cut 2 half moon shapes from a 2x4. 61/2 in. x 31/2in. hgt.
Drill 3/8 in. holes centered in the long side of the shapes to a depth of 2 in.
Loose fit a 3/8 in. x 51/2 in. all thread rod, 2 nuts and flat washers in the holes for adjustment.
Once you have it sized to your head, note the space between the 2 shapes and you can match up all your hats for a comfortable fit.
Cost me nuttin’!
Hat stretching comes naturally to me. When I fool a large trout into partaking of my offering, my head swells ,AND, any hat I may be wearing at the time adjusts accordingly. Almost without pain.
Mark
PS: But thanks for the tip just in case I get skunked
Uncle Jesse, I was thinking the same thing about my fedora. The fishing hats fit fine, but that fedora is a tad small. I like the feel of the fishing hats better, but for some reason the wife doesn’t want me wearing them to church.
The probably I have is my pumpkin is shaped like a watermelon, long and not so wide. Back when wearing hats was very common you could buy “Long Oval” hats. Those one size fits hats, hardly ever do, I wear about a 7 1/2, which is large than most of those will accommodate. I believe a little moisture and Hairwing’s invention will help with the shape.
If you’re stretching a fur felt hat like a decent Stetson, Beaver Brand, Resistol, etc. hold it over steam for a minute or two before stretching. Has essentially the same effect as soaking your hat in the water and wearing until dry.
You may need to do something with the leather sweat band if you need to stretch it a lot.
Wool felt or low grade fur felt can sometimes turn into a mush mess when steaming so be careful. But a good 3X - 10X fur felt should be fine.
I have a number of Stetson and Beaver Brand hats (never ask in front of my wife she thinks all brown hats and black hats look the same) and have stretched a couple to fit better.
I went to a Antique (Junque) Shoppe and found a hat stretcher just like my Dad used on his fedoras back in the 40s and 50s. I also use the hat stretcher on my old sized Brooklyn Dodgers cap. Yes once upon a time the Dodgers played baseball in Brooklyn! If you don’t know what a fedora is then you a probably a bit younger than I am.
