ClaireAshton Report post Posted February 24, 2015 As the title , how do I make lasts so l can make myself a pair of everyday boots. I have heard ofof plaster casts, feet in jelly and so on -but I want to end up with a pair of wood lastsI can make the boot directly onto. HELP! Best Wishes Claire Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stelmackr Report post Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Would this help? http://www.walrusshoe.com/lasts_home.htm http://bootlast.com/ Bob Stelmack Edited February 25, 2015 by stelmackr Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted February 25, 2015 Lasts are very complicated as a beginner shoe project. If you look closely at them you will notice they are not the same as a foot shape. The shape is both for foot support and the ability to pull it out of the shoe after lasting. I recommend you start by buying a set of lasts and modify them to your specific foot measurements. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted February 25, 2015 Although not an instructional video, you might find this interesting. Note the prices. Currently £1 = about US $ 1,6 http://www.johnlobbltd.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClaireAshton Report post Posted February 25, 2015 Hi Thanks for the info. I think I'll give the LOBB outfit a miss at 5000 pounds 8000 dollars for a pair of shoes! The rhino lasts you have to buy about 50 pairs as they only sell full sets but at 1000 USD very good value for a shoemaker. The other one suggested do individual pairs but for cowboy boots. The issue I have is I had a serious bicycle accident, Mercedes at 60 mph and me left with totally stiff ankle. I went for some rigger boots once and needed 3 burly staff to pull off the bad side one, thoughts of cutting it off flashed through my mind. But back to now, my foot is deformed and I need custom fit. My feet aren't dainty, so mens work boots are more the size needed. I do remember something about a biker standing in some goo and waiting for it to set but I can't find it now. All suggestions welcomed apart from those including standing in sand cement mixes! Claire Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) This company make hiking, military,& motorcycling type boots and can supply & make boots in various levels of customisation & modification. They can also pair up two boots of different sizes, eg you might need a wide 10 and a medium 10 1/2 I have purchased hiking boots from them and they're very good It's worth making the effort to get to their factory & shop in Richmond, but they also have local agents Prices are not dirt cheap, but reasonable for the quality & service you get Have a browse round their website, then contact them & see what they have to say http://www.altberg.co.uk A custom made insole might help. Making the mould is a bit expensive but thereafter the insoles themselves are fairly cheap Shop around for a Chiropodist/Podiarist/Sports Clinic I have used this clinic, and it will show you the sorts of things that can be done, but you could probably find someone closer to home http://www.reboundclinic.co.uk Edited February 25, 2015 by zuludog Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Have you thought about going to some place like Salvation army, . . . Goodwill industries. Take a shot at what they have, . . . if they have "THE" boot that fits your bad foot, , . . and another that fits your good one, . . . buy both pairs, . . . take em home, . . . fill em full of plaster of paris or something similar. Take a razor knife and cut the boots off the plaster cast, . . . sand it down a bit and cover it with a very light covering of fiberglass, . . . when that dries and is sanded smooth, . . . I would think the last would work to make the pair you need. You may have to do a "trial and error" pair first, . . . but if you make them as a lace up, . . . you could still use them. Once you get your pattern adjusted exactly to your feet, . . . you can then make your pull on pair with confidence. Anyway, . . . if I were doing it, . . . this would be my first attempt. Just remember that you have to make some sort of cut out and hinge part in it so that when your actual "foot" portion of the boot is made on the last, . . . you can then extricate it from the leather. May God bless, Dwight Edited February 25, 2015 by Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted February 25, 2015 I think a few years ago MoD tried a boot that was closed & smooth at the front, and entry was via lacing vertically right at the back, from the top of the ankle down to the heel, so your foot slid in & out without any effort or bending & twisting They discontinued it as the lacing did not stand up to the rigours of military use, but it might be OK for everyday. You could try something like that, modifying some old boots yourself - proof of concept, as they say in the aviation industry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DS STRAPS Report post Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Search EBay, I bought 2 used pair for about $25 each w/free shipping http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=women+wooden+last&_from=R40%7CR40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC2.A0.H0.X+wooden+last.TRS0&_nkw=+wooden+last&_sacat=0 Edited February 25, 2015 by DS STRAPS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClaireAshton Report post Posted February 27, 2015 Thanks for all your suggestions, at the end of the day what I want to do is to have a go at making my own boots and just wanted a last to enable me to do that. The ones on Ebay in uk are unspecified sizes and look like for shoes. Ah well..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Blea Report post Posted February 27, 2015 Are there any bespoke boot makers in your area by chance? They might be willing to consult with you and give you a few pointers? Also, Lisa Sorrell is a boot maker here in the US and an advertiser here. She sells boot making supplies and might be able to provide you some guidance on this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinp Report post Posted February 28, 2015 you might try emailing these people Claire http://icanmakeshoes.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feraud Report post Posted February 28, 2015 I do remember something about a biker standing in some goo and waiting for it to set but I can't find it now. All suggestions welcomed apart from those including standing in sand cement mixes! Claire Claire, your comment about standing in goo reminds me that mode and prop makers have a variety of ways of making body casts. Do you have any experience or know anyone who has done life casts? It shouldn't be too hard to create a pair of very solid rubber casts of your feet. The link below is a shop that sells casting products. http://www.smooth-on.com/gallery.php?galleryid=088 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClaireAshton Report post Posted March 1, 2015 you might try emailing these people Claire http://icanmakeshoes.com/ Very informative! Thanks for the link and I may well try and do something with them. Claire, your comment about standing in goo reminds me that mode and prop makers have a variety of ways of making body casts. Do you have any experience or know anyone who has done life casts? It shouldn't be too hard to create a pair of very solid rubber casts of your feet. The link below is a shop that sells casting products. http://www.smooth-on.com/gallery.php?galleryid=088 Sounds promising! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Shoe Report post Posted March 1, 2015 Try these people: http://www.springline.net/ £38+VAT. If you need something that's not in their catalogue you can send them pics and they'll hunt something out for you. They charge an additional £25 for this service. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClaireAshton Report post Posted March 1, 2015 you might try emailing these people Claire http://icanmakeshoes.com/ Oh Bingo! Can't see the prices for anyone other than students. Guess I'll have to go back to school...... Looks promising though and only a mile or two from Tandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Shoe Report post Posted March 1, 2015 They will sell to you at the student price. If you can get there I think (I am probably wrong though) that you can browse the last storeroom yourself to save on search fees. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niftycurly Report post Posted June 26, 2015 Claire - you may wish to contact Jay Paul at Sunnybrook Hospital in Canada. He is a pedorthist - last and bespoke shoemaker for "abnormal" feet. You could start with any old last from the Internet but there is so much more engineering in a shoe (our feet are complex structures!) than most people realize. If you already have a medical issue with your feet an improperly made shoe can make things much worse. Jay would be able to point you in the right direction for your situation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
