How Do I Make A Wooden Last For Myself To Make A Pair Of Everyday Boots

[ClaireAshton]

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

[stelmackr]

Would this help?

http://www.walrusshoe.com/lasts_home.htm

http://bootlast.com/

Bob Stelmack

Edited February 25, 2015 by stelmackr

[electrathon]

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.

[zuludog]

Although not an instructional video, you might find this interesting. Note the prices. Currently £1 = about US $ 1,6

http://www.johnlobbltd.co.uk

[ClaireAshton]

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

[zuludog]

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

[Dwight]

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

[zuludog]

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

[DS STRAPS]

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

[ClaireAshton]

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.....