Hat Heat Press Platen question

[im_mcguire]

I just got in my new Geo Knight DK7, and I was wondering what platen you guys use for the high crown hat platens?

The standard one that came with the press leaves about a half inch gap.

Just curious.

Thanks guys!

[Frog]

What size is your "standard?" I know that I have a few. 4" is the biggest
Here's what they offer
https://heatpress.com/products/cap-4x7-standard-curved-form

[im_mcguire]

What size is your "standard?" I know that I have a few. 4" is the biggest
Here's what they offer
https://heatpress.com/products/cap-4x7-standard-curved-form

Yes, the standard is what came with it 4" x 7".

It just leaves too much room between the palten and the hat. 

Maybe the youth would work ok? (3" x 6")

[Frog]

You're talking about the cap raising up a bit off of the platen in the center?
What about the hold down, can you increase tension?
Have you tried a pressing and had this cause an issue?

[im_mcguire]

You're talking about the cap raising up a bit off of the platen in the center?
What about the hold down, can you increase tension?
Have you tried a pressing and had this cause an issue?

Tension is increased and there is still a gap between the crown of the hat and platen.

I bought a cheap-o press on amazon, and it sat the same on there too.  When you press a hat with that gap, it created wrinkles that screw up the hat.

BTW we are pressing on New Era 9Fifty hats from sanmar.

I had to put a cut up mouse pad to fill the gap on those hats.  I was hoping one of the other platens would help, I just dont know which one...

[Frog]

I have used pads like you mention.
I have also pre-pressed while snugging the hat down further by hand so it sits a little better and lessens the chance of wrinkles during the real pressing.

[Prince Art]

Cut pads to fit under design is also what I've done in this situation. Mousepads or other neoprene work. (I think I used scraps from an old wetsuit, actually. But I keep leftovers from replacing the neoprene on our exposure unit for padding in various situations, too.)

[IntegriTees]

can you guys send any pics of your 'buildup'?
I am trying to heat press some patches onto these nice Richardson hats and I'm getting creasing. 

[mimosatexas]

There was just a thread about this a few weeks ago I think.  On structured hats no platen will work without modification using some kind of foam.  I usually use cut up koozies.  Get some of the heat transfer tape and tape a few layers down of decreasing size.

[mooseman]

we have the standard and the youth platen. Your situation is typical based on the hat style. First thing we did was cover the platten with a thin poly sheet like from a 100% poly shirt makes the hat on and off nicer. Next you will see the two holes in the platen are not centered so to speak. you can turn the platen 180 and drop on the pins to ger a different arrangement and we have to adjust the platen stand , slide it in or out to work best with the hat style dijour.
Lastly sometimes we need to add something still under the hat to get the condition you have less PITA. We have at times just cut up an sweatshirt sleeve and layered the pieces up smaller higher in the middle wider and lower outer regions and keep it all in place (kind of) with a tape wrap to keep it in place on the platen.
It is a big PITA anyway you go at it.
mooseman

[Frog]

Here's a diagram showing the less-than-elegant way some of us handle this with foam and heat tape.
For a small run, I often don't tape the "shims" to the platen

[mimosatexas]

I do basically exactly what frog does, though just the tape longways (2 strips about 1/2 from each edge, and not the 3 shortways as shown.  We heat press a ton of hats of every style and this is the only way I've found to make structured hats work without creasing.  Some styles you will also need to physically stretch the hat below the platen in addition to the foam buildup to prevent creasing as the hold down alone will not create enough tension on its own. 

I have used probably 5 different brands and styles of press and they all have the same issues.  I will say I prefer the geo knight by A LOT for structured hats, but prefer the stahls for standard foam truckers, though I wish the heat platen lifted off a bit more as I do occasionally catch the edge and burn my hand unless i'm being extra careful.

[IntegriTees]

won't the gaps in the steps cause a slight area where the patch won't be getting the same pressure/heat? 

[Frog]

won't the gaps in the steps cause a slight area where the patch won't be getting the same pressure/heat?

Being foam (mouse pad, koozie, etc), as they are pressed, the steps smooth out, and though, theoretically there could be a variance of pressure, it isn't an issue as it's slight and well within the acceptable range.