DreadPirateRedbeard Report post Posted January 18, 2012 I got a new pair of Red Wing steel toe boots for xmas and I want to tool out a set of toe caps. The only thing I'm not sure about is how to cut or mold them so they fit right. Can anyone help please? Thank you in advance. Dirkin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 18, 2012 Do you have an old pair that you can wet form the leather over? You could put the boot in a plastic bag and wet form over that as well. How are you going secure them, with glue? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DreadPirateRedbeard Report post Posted January 18, 2012 Yes I'm going to use Gorilla glue to attach them. How do I cut them so they're the right size/shape? I've never done anything that required molding or shaping. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 18, 2012 I've never done it either but if I had to I would cut a piece of leather bigger than I need, you could use a piece of paper or material to get the rough size then soak the leather, put the leather over the boot toe, put a piece of foam over that then tape it tight over the boot. You might have to work it around the boot a bit before putting the foam on. When you remove the foam after waiting a day the form will be in the leather and you will have to trim it to fit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DreadPirateRedbeard Report post Posted January 19, 2012 Awesome, thank you, I'll be giving that a shot after dinner and homework! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 19, 2012 You'll want some thick dense foam if you can find it. Something that will be firm enough to force the leather down yet be pliable enough to work with. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DreadPirateRedbeard Report post Posted January 19, 2012 Does that go under the leather when I glue it down? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted January 19, 2012 If i was going to make the toe caps. I think i would use some 3/4 5/6 oz just wet enough that i could form it over the toe. Then take a pencil and mark where the back of the toe would be and around the sole. Take it off and trace your design, do the design and put it back on the boot to dry. After it dried cut on the line on top of the boot where it fits and glue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DreadPirateRedbeard Report post Posted January 19, 2012 (edited) I'll be doing some tooling work on them before they go on. Once they're molded, will it be a problem doing the tooling on them? I'm also going to use some very heavy leather such as harness leather because I'm VERY rough on my boots and want them to last. Edited January 19, 2012 by DreadPirateRedbeard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted January 19, 2012 If you tool them before you put them on how are you going to know where to tool? What i was saying is you need to find out where your tooling is going to be before you do it. If you put them on and find out where you need to tool then take them off flaten out the leather and do your design and put the caps back on. But you need to do how ever you think it will work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted January 19, 2012 Have you considered those toe flaps that the lace goes through on the back, you could extend them to go over the toe then tack them to the sole in front? That way you aren't damaging the boot and you can always change them. They would be easier to carve and work with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
