Over the years, Johannes has learned the shrinkage dimensions for the species he uses
With the outside dimension achieved, he begins working on the brim
Johannes touchs up his tool again
There was a small crowd so everyone was up close along with the video display
Johannes trims away some of the excess material on the top of the hat
The finish cuts are put on the outside of the top
The hat blank is now reversed and mounted using the faceplate
Much of the hat work is done in the dark with a back light
The amount of light seen through the wood indicates how thick it is
Johannes gets the Stewart tool out to claim another piece of waste for a project
Once the cut is made, the but end of the tool is used to break the piece out
The inside of the hat is removed and provides enough material for another small hat
With the excess material removed as a block, Johannes can move on to hollowing the hat
Sitting in the front row has both advantages and disadvantages
With the house lights turned down, the work lamp is positioned to thin the walls
Here is a good example of how the light shows the wall thickness
