11. In this Section I do present you with some few more Tools and necessary Instruments, which are used, and very behooveful in the Trade of an Hatmaker, whether they be Felts, Casters, or Beavers, which should have been mentioned before in chap.6. numb.36. but I confess my self (at the Engraving of that Plate) to be ignorant of them, and may other Trades-mens Tools, which now are come to my Knowledge.
Stamper
CVIII. In this quarter are the Felt-makers, (or
more generally termed Hat-makers) instrument called a Stamper; It is made of Iron after the manner
of a Rowl or Scrowl; one part turned in, the other
out.
Hatter's mallet
The second is the Hatters Mallet, a thick short
round Wooden Mallet.
Hatter's wall can
CIX. He beareth an Hatters Wall-Can.
This is
a Can by which the Felt-maker bears his Liquor from
the Furnace to the Bench, as he hath occasion to use it.
Stiffening brush
CX. He beareth a Felt makers Stiffning
Brush.
Hatter's rounding trencher and knife
CXI. In this quarter is the Hatters rounding
Trencher and Knife, this is an Instrument by which
the Hat-brim is cut directly round after it is Blocked;
it is only a square Board, with an half round cut out
of the side of it, and a Knife thrust through it at such
a distance as the Brim is to be broad; so turning the
hollow of the Board round the Hat Crown, the Knife
cuts the edge of the brim round, at its due breadth.
Hatter's shears
CII. In this square is the form and fashion of the
Hatters Shears, as they are fixed in the hole of a
Narrow Plank; these cut the Wool small, before it
goeth to the Hatters Hurdle to be Bowed, or beaten
into a dawny substance.
Earthen pot
Image from proof plateCXIII. He beareth on the Dexter side a pan or pot of Coals fired. and out of the Base conjoyned to the Sinister side, the Basoning Furnace: but of these in perticular.
The first is only an Earthen Pot, or Pan Mugg, filled with Coals, and a spark of Fire put under them, which being set in the Wind, and open Air presently takes fire; This is to save Prentices a labour in making and blowing the Fire under their Furnices; this doing it to their hands, only putting it into the fire place.
Basoning furnace
Image from proof plateThe Second is the Basoning Furnace, it is a close square place made of Brick and Clay, with a Fire and vent hole made in the side, to put the aforesaid fired Coals therein; on the top it hath a round hole upon which is laid and made fast a round large Iron Plate, near 2 foot in the Diameter, which receiving heat from the Fire; Bazons (as they term it ) there Hats: that is, [text ends]
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