Hard soles Mocassins

Discussion in 'DIY (Do It Yourself)' started by SEMO, Jan 7, 2017.

  1. SEMO

    SEMO Member

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    Unconventional 8 oz leather soles. Tanned deer (from Tandy). Waxed artificial sinew thread.
    Traced my foot and cut a plywood form for the hard soles. NOTE: the plywood is just a mold to make the sole the same shape as my feet. The leather was cut 1/4" wider than mold and turned up for a sewing lip.
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    Punched holes with and awl and wet formed soles to mold.
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    Welcome tandy deer hide uppers (my own tanned buckskin was too hard to come by to chance ruining on first pair of mocs).
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    Hand sewing.
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    Finished they feel like an extra layer of skin. Perfect fit.
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    My sewing had improved by the 2nd moc. Maybe the next pair will be even better.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2017
  2. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    Fantastic!!!
     
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  3. Mountainmistwanderer

    Mountainmistwanderer Member

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    Great looking pair.
     
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  4. Andy the Aussie

    Andy the Aussie Administrator of the Century Staff Member

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    Size 10.5EE please... ;)

    Great job mate, just great !!!
     
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  5. SEMO

    SEMO Member

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    Where are yours?
    Thanks. This is my first pair.
    These would be just a bit large. Exact fit for me is between 10.5 and 11. Thanks.
     
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  6. The Warrior

    The Warrior Member

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    Awesome.
     
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  7. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    Still in my mind. Mukluks are gonna take some planning.
     
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  8. Willow

    Willow Member

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    Took the words right out of my mouth!
     
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  9. Bushman5

    Bushman5 Member

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    did you use the wood for the soles? or just to form the leather?
     
  10. SEMO

    SEMO Member

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    The wood was just a template and form for the leather. The soles are 8oz cow leather.
     
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  11. RocketmanDane

    RocketmanDane Member

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    I like it! I might need to try that some time :)
     
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  12. VaughnT

    VaughnT Member

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    Very nice work, Semo. I'm glad you clarified about the plywood just being a template because it sure didn't read like that. I was thinking you wrapped the plywood in leather to make it easier to attach to the upper. Definitely a hard sole!

    I remember reading somewhere that a fellow used that dipping rubber you put on tool handles to coat his leather soles. It wore out rather quickly, but protected the leather from wear. He put on several coats, allowing each to dry before he scratched it up to grab the next coat.

    He was wearing his mocs on a regular basis, though, and wearing through the leather was a weekly occurrence.
     
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  13. SEMO

    SEMO Member

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    You should! And post up pics.
    These are not going to be daily wear, but I made them hard sole to last longer. Guess I should take that plywood pic out of the op. A couple have been misled by that.
    Some guys sew two and three layers of soles on soft Mocs because of wear issues.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2017
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  14. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    I've been looking to make some as well and I really like this construction method. I saw a thread somewhere and they used Shoe Goop, apparently not the same as Shoe Goo, and added bits of chopped up rubber for a bit of traction and to increase durability.
     
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  15. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    There is some stuff i found not too long ago that is a paint on that is designed to armor up leather shoes. Cant think of it right now but that would be an option as well. Was gonna use it for my mukluk project. Toe armor or something maybe?
     
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  16. SEMO

    SEMO Member

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    If you want to go extremely native you can seal the soles with pine rosin/pitch.
     
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  17. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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  18. timdgsr

    timdgsr Member

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  19. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    Haha. Yep. I've thought I might try my hand at making some myself before I drop 2 $20's on his.
     
  20. SEMO

    SEMO Member

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    No doubt. I only have about $8 in these.
     

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