Working boots last making

[Larryvaan]

 

I am working last for working boots and thinking is the last correctly shaped. The sides of the last is more like convex-form (does not thin-out so), when commercial lasts and other I have seen are more thin and not having this much material on the side. Should I remove wood from sides? 

See the image with green line what I was thinking of.

[Ferg]

I think so far you have done a great job BUT! I assume the boots will be for you? Measure your foot at least ten or fifteen times in all directions and fine tune last to those measurements. I haven't built any from scratch but I did build a set for myself using a close set of commercial available. I don't remember how many times I measured different spots on my feet and the last. I used leather strips glued on to original last to conform to my feet after I essentially crushed my right ankle. 

Note:  If you remove too much wood in a spot use leather strips glued on the last then sand the leather to exact fit.

[Larryvaan]

Well I first made the last model from polyfoam and covered it with plaster cast. Then I was able to test how it fits to my foot. 

I made tens of measurements before making model.

I felt the model was good and I started doing the wooden last based on this foam last.

But know I have made this last sides based on my foot measurements. Like there is bones that needs that extra thickess on sides. But all the lasts I have seen, are more slim and dont have this kind of shape like I do now.

I was thinking that there might be a reason why sides need to be different from actual foot measurement.

 

[Larryvaan]

Here are the foam model and plaster casts.

 I was thinking is there reason for making sides more flat because of heel area. How you can fit leather tight on heel. 

[toxo]

Sorry, this doesn't answer your question but I have to get things down whilst I think of them. 

Must've been addressed before but there must be a case here for making an exact plaster mould of your foot and casting it in resin right?

[fredk]

4 minutes ago, toxo said:

Must've been addressed before but there must be a case here for making an exact plaster mould of your foot and casting it in resin right?

That was a method advocated in my medieval circles for making shoes.  Not resin nor plaster of Paris but using cement, as in concrete. I used that way to make some lasts

[Ferg]

14 hours ago, Larryvaan said:

Well I first made the last model from polyfoam and covered it with plaster cast. Then I was able to test how it fits to my foot. 

I made tens of measurements before making model.

I felt the model was good and I started doing the wooden last based on this foam last.

But know I have made this last sides based on my foot measurements. Like there is bones that needs that extra thickess on sides. But all the lasts I have seen, are more slim and dont have this kind of shape like I do now.

I was thinking that there might be a reason why sides need to be different from actual foot measurement.

 

I found that actual measurements of your feet hold true. Did you consider the sock you may be wearing? Not accounting for it can make a vey uncomfortable shoe

[Larryvaan]

Yes, I have had sock when doing measurements. And also inside sole, which lifts foot a little bit.

I think I just need to trust my work, and don't pay attention so much on what commerial lasts looks alike. They might to done with more cost effectively also and not so in detail.

[Mulesaw]

I think the commercial lasts (and the older ones that I have seen too) are thinned in the area to avoid the leather to become "bulky" after a little while. It the shaft sacks down it might push the leather out. But I suppose it depends on if you are using very thin leather or something with a bit of thickness in it.

@Tastech most likely knows, He is a shoemaker, so I'd take his advice any day of the week :-)

[fredk]

If you are making lasts for boots you need to make the last come apart at the ankle otherwise it wont come out of the constructed boot (ask me how I know) A solid last is alright for shoes and boots that only go slightly above the ankle