This message was posted by signman on AmayaUsers.com. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY VIA EMAIL. Instead, respond to the thread on the WEBSITE by clicking here: http://www.amayausers.com/boards/ultimatebb.php?/topic/2/61.html#000002 Without going into a long detailed explanation, if hooped properly and tight, you can get within 3/4" of the brim using the 'black' hat hoop. Took me awhile but I finally figured it out! As for the mark on the brim-when the service tech came up he showed me the problem..this hooper does not have a 'brim' holder like the CCF does, but you can order it from Melco and put it on with a pair of pliers and screwdriver. Looks cheesy, using a stretch cord-but IT WORKS! Not a single brim mark since. Masking tape did help, but he showed me how as the hat brim rubbed-the front of the hat actually moved as it sewed-breaking needles or screwing up detail alignment. Ordered the parts, problem solved. Part #12180, $19 when I got it. =========================================================== The AmayaUsers Mailing List Website: http://www.amayausers.com Discussion Board: http://www.amayausers.com/boards Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://www.amayausers.com/list ===========================================================