Hat Making Tool: Black Walnut Wood Rounding Jack, Economy-Priced Hobbyist-Hatter Model

This Walnut Rounding Jack has been sold on (11-13-2008) and is headed to Cheyenne, OK.

Rounding Jack Serial Number #2008-12
Cutting Capacity: 1.25” – 5.75”
Cutting Path: Counter Clockwise
Materials: Walnut, Steel, Brass, & Abalone Shell

If you are looking for a Rounding Jack, email me for more information at:

mark@decoustudio.com

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Project Story:

Rounding Jacks are used to cut the brim felt to size on fedora, derby, Panama, western hats, cowboy hats, and several other styles.

Economy/Hobbyist-Hatter Model:
Since I first introduced my Rounding Jacks for sale, there has been a good amount of interest in them. During this time, I’ve been asked many times if I could come up with a less expensive version of the tool, mostly suited to Hat Makers that make hats as a hobby, only needing to cut a few hats a year.

What Makes This One an “Economy” Model?:
I developed this version of my brim cutter tool with a smaller capacity brim cut. Also, this version does not have the adjustable brass crown shoe on the front of the cutter. I also changed the bottom plate from brass to a less expensive aluminum sheet metal. I also changed the hardware from brass to zinc plated steel. All of these adaptations have lowered the price to about half of what my other more “Deluxe” models cost, and I hope that this helps those that need a Rounding Jack on a tight budget. To see an example of the Deluxe Model click here

Steel Ruler:
From what I can foresee at this point, this will be the last rounding jack I’ll build with the Metal Ruler on the side. I have converted over to using Custom Laser Engraved Rulers, so this last Rounding Jack is especially discounted in price to account for the metal ruler. The Laser Engraved Rulers are a little more expensive, but that is the direction I am headed with all of the future Rounding Jacks. To see an example of the laser engraved ruler, click here

Direction of Cut:
This particular Rounding Jack will cut in the Counter Clockwise path. If you would like to go the other direction, just let me know and I can build a Rounding Jack to go the other direction. They are not reversible, as that would take another more expensive step in the design of the blade guard, so it is cheaper for us both if I just make the cutter to cut the direction you want to use it.

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To make the cut.

1. The blade guard Thumbscrew Nut is loosened, the blade dropped down and the nut retightened.
2. The slider thumbscrew nuts are loosened, and the desired cut width is indicated by the pointer, and the slider nuts are tightened.
3. The hat is placed on a wood crown block to give a firm resistance to the pressure being applied with the cutter, and the brim is placed between the bottom brass plate and the bottom of the cutter.
4. Then, depending on whether the hatmaker is a Clockwise, or a Counterclockwise cutter, the Rounding Jack is slowly moved around the contour of the crown while pushing the cutter toward the center (head).
5. Felt Hat Blanks are very expensive, so after the cutting is complete, a big sigh of relief is heard from the hatmaker.

Hatter Logo Laser Engraving:
I am pleased to offer Laser Engraving now through Flint Hills Laser Engraving with any hatmaking tool. All we need is a clear picture file of your logo, or text, or we can develop a Logo for you at an additional charge. To see examples of the laser engraved “Hatter” logos, you can view these projects:
Inaaya Hat Co.
Penman Hat Co.

Display Stand: The display stand shown in these photos is available at an additional cost, and is designed to sit on the hatmaker’s work bench and hold the cutter when it is not being used. The retractable blade can remain extended this way between uses. This particular stand shown in the photos is Black Walnut. This display stand is meant to make the whole project look like a functional-art sculpture, while it serves it’s functional purpose of holding the Rounding Jack safely.

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Artisan Hat Tools by Mark DeCou Studio
(Do you want to see More? Just follow these links):

Rounding Jack – The Collector-Series Model w/ a Brass Blade Holder:

1. “Coming Soon”, Progress Photos posted here

Rounding Jack – The Economy-Priced Hobbyist-Hatter Model:

1. Walnut Rounding Jack w/ Bench Top Display Stand
2. Walnut Rounding Jack w/ Laser Engraved Ruler

Rounding Jacks – Custom Built:

1. “Custom Laser Engraved Rounding Jack for Charlie @ Gladdhatter”: coming soon, please check back
2. Rounding Jack, Maple Wood on a Walnut Bench-Top Display Stand
3. Custom Rounding Jack w/ Scrimshaw for the Brainpan Hat Shop in Sumner, WA
4. Custom Rounding Jack w/ Scrimshaw for Steve Delk's Adventurebilt Hat Co.
5. Custom Rounding Jack w/ Scrimshaw for Marc Kitter's Adventurebilt Hat Co.
6. Custom Rounding Jack w/ Scrimshaw for Pyrate Trading Co.
7. Custom Rounding Jack w/ Scrimshaw for the Infamous Hatman Jack at Wichita Hat Works
8. Custom Rounding Jack Laser Engraved for the Inaaya Hat Co.
9. Custom Rounding Jack Laser Engraved for The Penman Hat Co.
10. Prototype #2 Rounding Jack
11. Prototype #1 Rounding Jack

Formillion & Conformer:

1. Formillion & Conformer, Prototypes #1 & #2

Foot Tollikers:

1. Foot Tolliker: Elk Antler & Birch Wood, on a Display Stand
2. Foot Tolliker: Walnut Wood, on a Display Stand
3. Foot Tollikers: Three in White Birch Wood
4. Foot Tollikers: Walnut Wood Set of Four
5. Foot Tollikers, Birch Wood Double Set, on Display Stand

Brim Pencil Curl & Kettle Curl Wooden Shaping Tools:

1. Wooden Hinge-Shackle Curling Tool for the Homburg Hat
2. Wooden Curling Shackles, Various Sizes
3. Wooden Groove Tolliker

Hat Block Spinners:

1. Hard Rock Maple and Walnut Ornamentally Turned Hat Block Spinners

Puller Downers:

1. Puller Downers, made in Birch & Maple

Pusher Downers:

1. Pusher Downers, made in Walnut, Hard Rock Maple, & Poplar

Stainless Steel Slip Stick:

1. “Coming Soon”, please check back.

My Website with other woodworking, including furniture, walking canes, scrimshaw artwork, custom knives, and other misc. items

Mark DeCou Studio Website

(Note:This project story, project design, photos, text, spelling, everything I can possibly list is copyrighted in 2008 by the Author, M.A.DeCou. If you want to use any part of this posting or the photos, for any Feeds, or a book, or another website, or for any reason whatsoever, even ones that I could not have dreamed about you doing before you did it, you must ask for permission first. Please)

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan