work boots

[utah leather]

3 hours ago, ljk said:

my bootmaking is part of a 50 year adventure in sewing, fabric and leather fabrication.

as I age my best attributes are my eyes, hands, and experience.  standing all day is hard.

 youtube and facebook will be your University

. 

start by watching videos till you learn the learn the basics.  then scour junk shops

for footwear that fit your size and style,  pay special attention to "how to measure".

while junking look for tools, tools, tools.

now take your favorite boot apart to learn construction, then start looking

for a last.

you can probably do the whole deal to get started for less than $200. I just

made a pair of penny loafers with a $8 leather package including

veg. and chrome from Hobby lobby on sale.

 

 

you're are into sewing machines, I make tool pouchs for some of the guys at work when asked, I put them together with copper rivets because I don't have a sewing machine, I am looking for an old used machine that will go through 3/8 thick leather ( 2 pieces of 3/16 sewn together around the edges and maybe up the middle to divide it into different pockets for tools ) I would like it to have some kind of flat ( table ? ) around it maybe foot pedal operated ? and american made if possible , do you have any idea where I could find something like this ?

[Matt S]

I know you specified US made, but William Lennon has been making great quality boots in the UK for over a century. I have two pairs of them and they are like tanks, and the company is happy to make alterations and customisations. I don't consider their prices exorbitant -- a pair of steel-caps starts at £60/$83, though of course you will have to add shipping to that. That's for directly moulded soles, if you want welted (replaceable) it goes up a little. Even their most expensive standard line is under £200/$277.

As to sewing machines, that question is a bit like asking "which impact driver" -- there's a lot of options out there but not many are truly made in the USA any more. Used machines, unless from a reputable dealer, can be a bit of a crapshoot -- wear, work capacity, availability of consumables, accessories and spares... these all vary hugely from machine to machine and need some real homework.

The most popular machines for small manufacturers and serious hobbyists on this forum are Chinese manufactured clones of Juki or Consew designs, setup and specified for leatherwork by US technicians. You can get a modern version of the excellent Singer 45 for $1000 ($1300 if you want reverse) complete with table, servo motor and speed controller. The 45k was/is a classic, a very rugged and simple machine that could handle some very heavy duty threads. They were made in their millions in Kilbowie, Scotland until someone twigged that it was cheaper to have them made in the Far East, where things like workers' rights and standards of living are far less fashionable.

You may have more responses to your sewing machine question if you cross-post it to the sewing machine section. There are some truly excellent machine technicians, operators and dealers who post there and are very free with their knowledge. There is a fantastic pinned topic by @Wizcrafts which gives you a primer on sewing machines for leather: 

 

Edited March 7, 2018 by Matt S

[bikermutt07]

I found this website from Tim Skyrme

 

http://www.shoemakingbook.com/index.htm

This looks like it could be the most put together book. 

I don't know if it covers making a last or not?

Finding lasts in small quantities may prove to be the hardest part.

[ljk]

lI have no financial interest in this thread just trying to help.  my go to machine in Fl. is a  $2.00   auction

bought 111w155

my thread is a $6.00 spool of bag sewing thread.

 you should learn to handstitch by doing those tool pouches,   with a awl and some John Roberts needles your

good to go.  use two different colors of thread to prove it's done by hand.  machines keep the top

thread and bobbin thread on the bottom.

I sew my uppers by machine (LIGHT LEATHER CAN BE DONE WITH OLD BLACK SINGER AND

TEFLON OR ROLLER FOOT). my soles are done by hand in front of the computer (netflix) at night.

I sew my insole to midsole and my midsole to outsole.  all leather!!!!!!!!

if you want a 3/8" plus leather sewing machine follow the advice of the forum members.

the leather for the boots was home tanned veg elk I did myself.

          keep in touch                                                 tx Lynn