Hat Making Tool: DeCou Rounding Jack, Walnut Hobbyist-Hatter Model, Counter Clockwise Cutting

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This item is a Hat Making Tool called a Rounding Jack that I designed and built to cut the hat brims for custom hat makers.

Specifications:
Walnut Hobbyist-Hatter Model
Counter Clockwise Cutting Direction
Brass Under-Plate
Abalone Shell Inlay
Cutting Capacity: 1.25” – 6.0”

For Immediate Purchasing:

1. Walnut Hobbyist-Hatter Model, Counter Clockwise, Rounding Jack, ”SOLD OUT”
2. Walnut Hobbyist-Hatter Model, Clockwise, Rounding Jack, Please visit this project
3. Walnut Bench-Top Display Stand click here to buy at Etsy.com

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.

Laser Engraved Ruler:
I have converted over to using Custom Laser Engraved Rulers for each of my Rounding Jacks. To highlight the markings, I use ivory colored acrylic paint.

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.

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.

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.

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Here is a Slideshow with more of my Rounding Jacks Shown
Click the “Speaker” icon for music

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

NOTE:
ALL HAT MAKING ITEMS THAT I HAVE IN STOCK
ARE LISTED IN MY ETSY.COM ONLINE SHOP, click here to check inventory

Collector Edition Model Rounding Jacks:

1. Ebonized Walnut with Laser Engraving
2. Collector Model w/ a Brass Blade Holder

Deluxe Model Rounding Jacks:

1. Maple Deluxe Model, Counter Clockwise Cutter
2. Maple Deluxe Model, Clockwise Cutter

Hobbyist-Hatter Model Rounding Jacks:

1. Walnut Hobbyist-Hatter Model, Counter Clockwise Cutter
2. Walnut Hobbyist-Hatter Model, Clockwise Cutter

Customized Rounding Jacks, Personalized for Specific Hatters:

1. Spradley Hats in Apline, TX
2. Rachel Pollock of La Bricoleuse
3. Brainpan Hat Shop in Sumner, WA
4. Steve Delk's Adventurebilt Hat Co.
5. Marc Kitter's Adventurebilt Hat Co.
6. Pyrate Trading Co.
7. Hatman Jack at Wichita Hat Works
8. Inaaya Hat Co.
9. Penman Hat Co.

Formillons & Conformateurs:

1. Complete Restoration of a Maillard Conformateur and Formillon
2. New DeCou Formillion & Conformer, Prototypes #1 & #2
3. Custom Designed Conformateur Carrying & Storage Case
4. New Plot Base Board for the Maillard Allie Formillon
5. Maple Wrench for Tightening Formillon Thumbnuts

Foot Tollikers:

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

Brim Edge Curling Tools:

1. Hinge-Shackle Curling Tool for the Homburg Hat
2. Full Circle Shackle Curling Tool
3. Half Circle Shacking Curling Tool
4. Groove Tolliker Curing Tool

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, and photos are protected by copyright in 2008-2009 by the Author, M.A.DeCou., all rights reserved, no use allowed without expressed written permission.)

-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com