Conformateur and Formillion!

Somebody is selling a conformateur and formillion set on ebay right now!






These antique hat-making tools are used to measure heads and shape hats for precise sizing when making very hard hats, like old style top hats and bowlers.

This set is in beautiful condition. I'm a sucker for old-school mechanical stuff, so they're total eye candy to me.

There's more information on how these are used in the classic hat-making manual Scientific Hat Finishing and Renovating by Henry L. Ermatinger, Hatter. A chapter starting on page 81 has photos and instructions for the use of these tools.

Master woodworker Mark DeCou has branched out into making hatter's tools- check out his interesting page on the restoration of these fascinating machines.