First pair of sandals underway

[NatesLeatherGds]

Keep at it, don't worry about mistakes, don't fret if you waste, and you'll make it and they will be great. 

[deboardp]

30 minutes ago, NatesLeatherGds said:

Keep at it, don't worry about mistakes, don't fret if you waste, and you'll make it and they will be great. 

This first pair is for me, and I'm treating it as a learning experience, to figure out the real life application of all the leatherworking techniques I've studied this past year and a half, especially for this design, which is a slight development of my basic sandal making skills from 50 years ago. The big difference is that I'm using three thin layers instead of two thick ones, and I'm adding professional finishes, not to mention the industrial sewing machine from Cobra. 

50 years ago there was a guy in Maine making the top sandal in the northeast, and there was a shop in downtown Amherst, MA, making the #2 sandal, and I was making a decent but rough sandal behind those two.  Now nobody makes them! Actually there are a few, but not like during the wild hippy Era. 

Edited January 23, 2024 by deboardp

[deboardp]

The one ton press

[Mablung]

2 hours ago, deboardp said:

I used it on my kitchen knife and the results were that the process was quick, simple, and extraordinary. Never had that knife that sharp, and the effort was minimal, as well as the time. 

Huh.  I may need to give another thought to whether I dismiss that technique.  I'll try it when I have time and take a look at whatever knife edge I choose with my jeweler's loupe.  (Used to use the thing all the time when sharpening blades, but I've gotten out of the habit.)

[deboardp]

@Tastech I thought you'd like to see this. 

I'm working through mishaps and thread tension and drive belt tension issues with my Cobra Class 26 sewing machine, and managed to finish sewing the left sandal of my prototype pair. I used a creaser on the topsole and fed the sandal through the machine, without an edge guide. I followed the crease. I also made marks with my blunt all around the straps. The results are one ugly sandal. 

I intend to change a few things. First, I'll sand the sandal edge and use the roller guide for an even edge stitch. Second, I've already adjusted the stitch length so stitches per inch increases from 6 to 8.5. It is a tighter stitch and it compresses the leather more, because it has less leather to hold together, per stitch. Also, the top thread is snug to the leather rather than laying on top of it. And thirdly, I think I will use a single stitch line to reinforce the slots, and square corners, not rounded. I'll also try to be neater. 

For the second pair I make , I'm going to use a 6/7 ounce luxury veg tan that I got from Horween. Since my straps are now significantly wider than the 1/2" straps I used to use, I think this will add to comfort, ease of adjusting that front strap, and a slightly lighter shoe. 

Presenting, drum roll ....

"The Oogly"

PS I'll move that single stitch line closer to the strap, to hold it down tighter. You know, on the foot side of the strap. 

Edited January 28, 2024 by deboardp

[Mablung]

How are these coming?

[deboardp]

On 2/14/2024 at 3:06 PM, Mablung said:

How are these coming?

Slow. The VA granted my claim for disability compensation after 15 years of homelessness, and now I will not be homeless again. So the frantic need to make and sell sandals is gone. I'm doing more for the Church and less for the sandal shop. 

But I'm getting closer to completing the first pair. 

I'll stitch the heel loops next, then glue the heel and gum rubber half sole on, burnish the sandal edges, grease her up, and put the buckle on. Probably burnish before gluing rubber on. 

I hope they fit!

[Mablung]

3 hours ago, deboardp said:

Slow. The VA granted my claim for disability compensation after 15 years of homelessness, and now I will not be homeless again. So the frantic need to make and sell sandals is gone. I'm doing more for the Church and less for the sandal shop. 

But I'm getting closer to completing the first pair. 

I'll stitch the heel loops next, then glue the heel and gum rubber half sole on, burnish the sandal edges, grease her up, and put the buckle on. Probably burnish before gluing rubber on. 

I hope they fit!

Nice to have some breathing room financially, so I'm glad to hear that.  +1 to burnishing the sandal edges before gluing the sole, unless you're concerned you'll not get the sole quite true and need to do any last trimming.  Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[deboardp]

On 2/14/2024 at 3:06 PM, Mablung said:

How are these coming?

Hahaha

I discovered that I lost my desperate motivation to get sales of sandals, you know, because I now have sufficient income to have a home, and therefore did nothing the last two months. But I finally decided to finish this pair for me. The last five days I have 1) stitched the ankle posts; 2) dyed the leather; 3) hand stuffed the leather with the warm water and hand massage with grease method; 4) let it dry, then rubbed the grease film off. Here's a picture. 

Tasks that remain are: 1) glue on heel and 3/4 sole; 2) apply and polish with cod liver oil; 3) final fitting/ buckle installation. 

I don't know why the black thread looks white. Maybe it's the grease. 

What is the future of my sandal shop? I know some monks who have foot problems and I would like to make them sandals. I might make it known to church members that they can buy a monk a pair if they want. 

Edited April 24, 2024 by deboardp

[deboardp]

My stitching is awful. Haha