bootsmt

Ra[ph's Sewing Center in Denver, Co. can help you.

I have moved to Chama, New Mexico. Same contact info. For all the people who have looked at the western boot class thread you can find many more makers who teach classes just go to dimlights.com and on the left listing content you will find custom makers who teach. One thing I feel is important when you do take a class do what the instructor tells you. It doesn't matter your experience is with leather or what you know or don't know You can experiment after you learn how to make the boots. Bootsmt

Rubber cement. You can use Elmer's rubber cement or order professional rubber cement from tandy or some other finders. It rubs off with your finger if the is some kind of finish on the leather. Just place it on the edges of the pocket. place it on when still wet and let dry and press. Use a little more than a light coat.

You need to sand the flaky stuff off. It doesn't look like you have good leather from the photo. You want a solid leather . After you sand off the fleshy stuff case the leather ( soak it in tepid water until completely wet) and wrap it in a paper bag then sit over night. Next day when it is just damp hammer it lightly to firm it a bit. When dry place your holes about 1/4" apart or slightly shorter come out about 1/2 way through the outside edge. I like to start about 3/8" back from the edge when I start my holes. If the leather keeps ripping then watch how you are placing the SHARP awl into the leather and if that is correct then you may need better leather. Bootsmt

Barnsley company is not closed. Tools still available, maybe not all.

It is up to you. Consult with your boot maker

Use unfinished lining leather,it should be soft and feel fluffier( for lack of a better term ) than the outer leather. Top leather should never be heavier than the vamps. 3 to 4 oz chrome tanned lining , I use what is called cream cow made to use for vamp lining, works well and absorbs moisture. Just make sure you use a good veg tan insole leather. The heavier the outside leather the warmer the boots. As far as no glue between the lining and the the outer leather I was referring to the vamps. Good luck. Frank

There is no glue between the outer leather and the lining leather. I just read more of your post and saw that a boot maker is making the boots. Why are you not letting him or her tell you how the boots are put together and recommend what leathers to use? I would not be happy having a customer come to me and tell me they will decide what leather I am suppose to use since they have no idea how to build a pair of boots. If he gave you choices and recommendations then I think it might be appropriate for some research. Do you trust this person to do a correct job? If you do then let him or her do their job. The tops should never be made with thicker leather than the bottoms. The boot maker should have the sources for the correct leather and thickness. Frank

Mike I would not use veg tan lining, I use chrome tan. If the person wearing the shoes is allergic to chrome tan then you could use the veg tan or synthetic lining. Chrome tan will wear longer. I prefer 3 to 4 ounce. bootsmt

The thread may not be picked up from the needle. Even though th thickness may be equal it is not a smooth surface. You might try a larger needle. If that works then you will know. Bootsmt

Am in El Prado,New Mexico just 2 miles north of downtown Taos. Am only having 4 week classes. For info call 406-260-1179 or email frankenglishcustomboots@yahoo.com Frank aka bootsmt

You can call Ralph's sewing machine company and ask for help or any of the other repair companies you can find. Sorry I don't have Ralph's number, am at the library. You can find them on the net. I have 2 31-15s nice machines.