maxdaddy Report post Posted July 25, 2021 Hi folks, Tandy just released a new kit that I think is pretty cool. It's a pair of outsoles and insoles and size-specific patterns to assemble a pair of sneakers. The price seems a little high, but I can still see this being a good-selling kit for them. I've tried a few different sandal and slippers and the results have always been unhappy with the results in terms of comfort and wearability. It would seem that this would give novice leatherworkers a good first-time experience which may lead to deeper dives in the shoemaking world. https://tandyleather.com/products/sneaker-starter-pack https://tandyleather.com/blogs/tandy-blog/sneaker-starter-pack I am not interested in hearing any Tandy-bashing, but I would be interested in opinions from experienced shoemakers on the forum about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted July 25, 2021 maxdaddy I posted something similar, but from a different source, earlier last week: As Rahere says, it would work fine, but only if your foot was a good fit for the outsole that comes with the kit. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/96539-making-shoes/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HaloJones Report post Posted July 26, 2021 It’s a good kit, I used it to make some sandals Tandy are just reselling, also available from: https://www.sneakerkit.eu/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maxdaddy Report post Posted July 27, 2021 17 hours ago, HaloJones said: It’s a good kit, I used it to make some sandals Thanks Halo. Did you make the pattern that they call 'Summer 2'? On 7/25/2021 at 7:41 PM, Sheilajeanne said: I posted something similar, but from a different source.... it would work fine, but only if your foot was a good fit Sheilajeanne, yeah that's true. I suppose that would always be a risk with shoes that can't be tried on, though. I'll buy a kit from Tandy and give it a whirl when I get a few big house projects completed and have some time for leather craft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HaloJones Report post Posted July 27, 2021 I did, I put an orthopaedic sole and heel padding in for comfort Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maxdaddy Report post Posted July 28, 2021 HaloJones, those look great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) Yes, they sure do! Great job! I just looked this kit up on the Tandy website. It shows the sole as only coming in white. How did you wind up with a black sole? Edited July 28, 2021 by Sheilajeanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HaloJones Report post Posted July 28, 2021 Soles of many colours are available on Amazon/ Etsy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) 20 hours ago, HaloJones said: I did, I put an orthopaedic sole and heel padding in for comfort Those are nice are they the tandy sneaker kit? or a different pattern. never mind i read some more doh. Thanks for the link. Holy cow just saw the price 60 bucks for soles and a pattern at Tandy thats kinda pricey IMO for sneakers. Edited July 28, 2021 by chuck123wapati Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted July 28, 2021 Yeah, and then you still need all the other stuff they list - leather, eyelets, laces, sewing awl, thread, etc. I have everything but the eyelets and eyelet setter. Seriously thinking about this, but would buy the kit from somewhere other than Tandy as I don't like the look of the white soles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HaloJones Report post Posted July 28, 2021 If the kit price is high, just buy the soles from any supplier, patterns are available FOC & use what you have to hand I think the soles were about £10 for me from Etsy the kit makes it easy for those not used to thinking about shoe builds, but a few YouTube videos will show you the how Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
