Has anyone here ever made UGG-style boots

[esantoro]

A new project is starting to rear its head: UGG-style boots.

Has anyone ever made such boots. They don't appear to be too difficult to do.

Some preliminary questions:

1. Are the soles proprietary and difficult to find?

2. Is it difficult to get the correct type of sheepskin outside of Australia?

3. Will Duall or Tandy contact cement be enough to adhere the sole to the footbed, or is there a special glue used in the shoe industry?

Here are some helpful links:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-do-they...-ugg-boots.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL7NUZ2Pxbg...feature=related

http://www.walrusshoe.com/books_pages/uggBoots.htm

ed

[Raven]

Can't help you but I'll be watching this thread with interest, it's something I've wondered about too. I've only actually made one pair of moccs before though so it'll be a challenge

[Bree]

Ed...

I saw this and I was going to tell you that you really need some specialized equipment to make these... especially a Bonis fur machine. Well then I watched the video and there was a Chinese Bonis clone... first thing. They also used a post machine which is not frequently seen.

I watched the guy at Misty Mountain Sheepskin near Springfield, Missouri making these using only the Bonis machine. It is a real valuable piece of equipment if you plan to work sheepskin.

Thanks for those links!

[esantoro]

I'll call walrus shoe and leather on Monday and ask what kind of machine is needed for the Ugg-style boot in the book they sell.

I'll check around with the usual suspects, but any suggestions for suppliers of sheepskin?

Ed

[Bree]

Here's what will git er done Ed.

http

://shop.raphaelsewing.com/index.php?ma...products_id=78

(Watch video of Chinese Bonis clone)

http://www.lanafurs.com/news/html/index.ph...ticle&sid=9

http://www.imca.net/english/bonis/index.html (Click on the Bonis Leaflet Front side)

[yaklady]

I've never made any UGG boots, but my boots sure turn out UGG when I go in the yak pen to feed the yaks!

[esantoro]

Thanks, Bree.

Here's a video that shows close-up views of how a Bonis machine works.

Here's an Ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bonis-MODEL-A-Never-St...1QQcmdZViewItem

Now I'm wondering how heavy these machines are and if they would work well completely handcranked.

The book that is distributed by Walrus shoe and leather makes me think that their instructions don't require a Bonis machine. I will find out tomorrow.

Ed

Here's what will git er done Ed.

http

://shop.raphaelsewing.com/index.php?ma...products_id=78

(Watch video of Chinese Bonis clone)

http://www.lanafurs.com/news/html/index.ph...ticle&sid=9

http://www.imca.net/english/bonis/index.html (Click on the Bonis Leaflet Front side)

[Bree]

Thanks, Bree.

Here's a video that shows close-up views of how a Bonis machine works.

Here's an Ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bonis-MODEL-A-Never-St...1QQcmdZViewItem

Now I'm wondering how heavy these machines are and if they would work well completely handcranked.

The book that is distributed by Walrus shoe and leather makes me think that their instructions don't require a Bonis machine. I will find out tomorrow.

Ed

They aren't really very big or real heavy at all. They fit into a little more than 1 square foot. You probably could hand crank it (or treadle it) but a much better idea is simply bite the bullet and put a motor on it.

You certainly could stitch it by hand. A fur sewing machine is not necessary. However once you start trying to sew fur, you will see why one of these things is a godsend. I have several sheepskins upstairs that I was planning to do some stuff with but they are a royal pain in the butt to sew with a regular walking foot machine.

I have often thought about getting one. If I ever see a good deal on one, I will.

Edited January 26, 2009 by Bree

[esantoro]

I've gone ahead and ordered George Koleff's book. I was told by Walrus Shoe and Leather that the book's instructions do not require the use of a Bonis machine.

In looking around for sheepskin, I noticed that Weaver has bark tanned and chrome tanned shearlings with approx. thickness of 3/4" to 1". I imagine the bark tanned would be the way to go.

Ed

[Bree]

I've gone ahead and ordered George Koleff's book. I was told by Walrus Shoe and Leather that the book's instructions do not require the use of a Bonis machine.

In looking around for sheepskin, I noticed that Weaver has bark tanned and chrome tanned shearlings with approx. thickness of 3/4" to 1". I imagine the bark tanned would be the way to go.

Ed

Let us know how the book is. I might want to order a copy if it has good info.