Turning Inside Out

[ebdavison]

I have a pair of boots that I am working on and they are currently inside out as I had to stitch the upper to the sole. Now I need to turn them right side out and just cannot get them to turn at all. The leather is 3-4 oz. veg tan for the upper with a 5-6 oz veg tan sole.

Can I get the entire boot wet and then turn them? Is the leather going to be harmed if I do this? I know they will definitely be easier to turn and there is usually a texture change when I get the leather wet but is there any other downside to doing this?

Thanks in advance.

[Woodyrock]

Give the boots a good soak, then turn. OK for me to say, because I do not know what sort of boots you are making, as I do only mocs, and a few turnshoes, neither of which have heavy soles, and turn best wet. For my own mocs, I put them on before they dry, and wear until dry. This litterally moulds them to your feet.

Woody

[Dwight]

Give the boots a good soak, then turn. OK for me to say, because I do not know what sort of boots you are making, as I do only mocs, and a few turnshoes, neither of which have heavy soles, and turn best wet. For my own mocs, I put them on before they dry, and wear until dry. This litterally moulds them to your feet.

Woody

Woodyrock, . . . got any pictures you would care to share?

I'd personally appreciate it.

Thanks, may God bless,

Dwight

[ebdavison]

Give the boots a good soak, then turn. OK for me to say, because I do not know what sort of boots you are making, as I do only mocs, and a few turnshoes, neither of which have heavy soles, and turn best wet. For my own mocs, I put them on before they dry, and wear until dry. This litterally moulds them to your feet.

Woody

I suppose you could call the boots mocs. They are the kind that lace up the side with buttons or conchos and the pattern is made by taping the foot/leg and cutting it off.

Do I need to then condition the leather after having them be wet? What sort of treatment do you normally apply after your turn your mocs or turnshoes?

Ed

Edited April 17, 2013 by ebdavison

[Woodyrock]

I just tried to find photographs of some of the turnshoes I have made, but that ended in failure....there some somewher in this computer. Anyhow, I usually just drop the shoe or moc in a bucket of warm water, leave it until it stop bubling, then haul it out, let it drain , then turn. I turned a piece of white oak about a foot and half long 3/4 inch diameter with a nice rounded end to turn the seams, and toes....a tool I use for turning a lot of items that are sewn inside out. After a shoe, or moc is dry, I give them a good rub with lots of saddlesoap, then a light rub with mink oil. My own mocs get bear grease until they will not take anymore. She who must be obeyed does not allow my mocs in the house.

Woody

[ebdavison]

Just an update. Wanted to share the before and after for my boots. Putting the final touches on them now but here is the before turn and after turn photos.

Ed

Edited April 24, 2013 by ebdavison