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Hi All, I am looking to buy "tire soles" to fix some shoes and make me sandals and whatever else shoes related. Some of you may think I am crazy but I am an old man and when I was growing up in the 70's we used to make sandals and shoes from old tires ( My father was a shoemaker) I am green (big on recycling) and not only that, once you put tires soles on a pair of shoes they will last for ever. So, does anyone knows where to get them? I have Google it and came up with one place Laura Zabo but her prices are high and the soles very small, they did not work for what I want. Other places make shoes, I am looking for soles only. Trying to cut tires is hard, I have try and in Boston MA, I don't have access to pick the right tire to cut it myself. most tires are radials and have Stainless steel wire mesh inside and not worth trying to cut them. Any assistance will be appreciated. Thanks!

I recently ordered a pair of brand new plastic shoe lasts from a new supplier who produces components for shoe making industry and also sell his products to retail buyers – www.shamrockarts.etsy.com I just received the shoe lasts in the mail, and I'm very happy with them. The item arrived in excellent condition. The seller was very helpful in choosing the right size. I only bought one pair from at first as a test and I must say I'm super happy I love them! Highly recommended.

Hi All, I was wondering if anyone has used Aquilim 315 in lasting shoes? and for soles? How does it holdup when it gets wet? Is it easy to remove when it gets on the finished part of the leather? Does it hold up well for soles? Does it need the waterproofing solution to be used for shoes? Much appreciated...

Hello All... Firstly, I am so happy to have found this helpful forum where I've read thru no less than 500 posts for various things! What a great community. I learned to make shoes while living in Barcelona, from a shoemaker who made beautiful bespoke men's dress shoes and ONLY spoke Italian/Spanish/Catalan. Needless to say, I only have small household type fluency in Spanish and I feel like I am missing some holes in my education that I'm hoping this community can help confirm/deny some thoughts. His terminology was also quite different from what I see in the US. -insoles- use buffed 5-7 iron shoulders or 7-9 iron bends? -midsoles and outsoles (cemented construction)- 8-14 iron? -toe puffs- 4-5 iron belly? - Does anyone have a US contact for Oak Bark Tanned sole bends that are not too expensive (less than $15/lb)? -Please oh Please! Does anyone know where I can find a premade sole press outside ebay, craigslist? Not one of those crazy industrial machines, just a frame with an inflatable bladder for small manufacture? -Does anyone know where I can find premade, fake welts, stitched in the US? I have searched Southern Leather, RJF, Springfield, Wickett, Zack White, Hide House, Goliger, Maverick, leathercrafttools.com, Southern Leather, Cobblersupplies.com, JR leather, J and FJ, Ohio Bag, even Tandy.....I live in Philadelphia, and online is great. Here's a pic of my first shoes made. Any help or info is greatly appreciated, Faye

Does anyone have a source for recycled tire treads pre cut for shoe soles. I have a request for one or two pairs of sandals and it's not woth the effort of cutting up a tire. If not, any really rugged sole material suiable for sandals or thongs. Thanks! Bob

Hello all, I have recently been working on a pair of shoes for a vegetarian friend of mine and have run into a wall when it comes to attaching the soles. I am having trouble coming up with a suitable alternative to leather for making an insole to outsole that can be welted by means of a feather. Any suggestions? Is there a way around this that anyone may have experience with such as forgoing the welt entirely and cementing the outsole directly? Is there something that may work in a similar fashion to a cut feather for sewing the welt? Thanks in advance Kenneth