Re-Heeling Cowboy Boots?

[loony]

When I was in the US in the early 90's I bought a pair of boots in Amarillo(like every tourist does I imagine). I thought I had lost them but luckily found them the other day.

The heel leather is stacked and has become loose. I would like to re-heel them myself so I would like to know what type of leather I should use and how to go about it.

The actual soles are in good condition. I would like to change the style a bit from the classic angled back to a more straight look.

If this works out the I would also like to add some height to a pair of red wing engineer boots I have too. They have a cork sole.

http://www.redwingheritage.com/boots/#&m=/detail/2991-heritage-us/2991-red-wing-heritage-mens-engineer-boot-amber/

[Dwight]

A pair I had was not particularly expensive, . . . and the heels were simply nailed on down through the heel.

I assume they were also glued, . . . but they got to the point that it was hard to tell much at all about em before they went bye bye.

I'd probably use veggie tan, . . . contact cemented together as a stack, . . . put in a carpenter vice for 24 hours, . . . and sanded down to the shape you want.

Just be sure to bevel out a place in the heel for your heel on your foot, . . . I do know that the old heel was coutoured down in and not flat.

May God bless,

Dwight

[electrathon]

The leather you are looking for is called sole bend. Cut the pieces a little too big, contact cement them together. Grind them to fit with a belt sander. Before you install the heal, clean up the front, install the deal and then shape the sides and back. You will also need a piece of rubber sole to use as the bottom of the heal, unless you are fond of slipping and falling down. The heal is nailed on, I am not sure how it is normally done, short nails through a couple layers or longer nails.

As to reshaping the heals, maybe someone else will speak up but it is my understanding that your gate will be off if the heal drops straight down.

I am far from a pro, but I have been trying to learn shoe stuff too.

[loony]

Thanks so far, makes sense.

[Palermo]

Electrathon is pretty close.

You can even use leather soles to make the "heel stack" (size 5 1/2). A special press/nailer attaches them to the boot. When the press is pressed it pushes the nails through. You can also use 3 drywall screws but the professional way is with a heel press $1000+