Cobbling

[Dub11]

Next we hammer this down to shoe and I apply all the clamps while it cures.

The next day I'll trim the leather so it matches the profile of the welt and add this rubber midsole. Make sure to rough up the leather first and I'll apply 2 layers of glue to the leather since the first will get absorbed pretty good.


Some say the leather provides a better bond to the sole and other say a rubber to rubber is better if it's going to be exposed to the elements because leather will swell and shrink with water exposure. Since these will all be stitched to the boots I'm making sure well have a rubber to rubber bond.

 

[JimBear]

Nice work Wayne, very interesting thread/hobby.

 

[Dub11]

So now on to sole stitching. I start out lining out my stitch count per inch. Some say the more SPI the better but I think leaving more meat between the holes has to be stronger in the long run.
I found when working with this thicker leather it's a lot safety to pre drill with a 3/32 bit. Running a awl through feel like play Russian roulette with the palm of your hand.

If I was using a thinner midsole the needle would just glide right through.

 

[Dub11]

Once again I start out at the inside of the heal with close to 20ft of cord and run it through a hole then even it out. I run the needle through the top since the bottom thread will be beat up a little it allows the top thread you see to remain looking cleaner.
And when you making the lock stitch and pulling it tight its important to leave a little slack so it doesn't crush down the leather or potentially rip the leather welt.
Like this.

Not like this.

 

[Dub11]

When done I just go through the first hole
Then pull through the top stitch and tie it off.
And for how squiggly it looks on the bottom it looks pretty straight from the top.

 

[Dub11]

So this project is going on a hiatus now. We are moving next week and I need to finish packing.

 

[stihl livin]

So this project is going on a hiatus now. We are moving next week and I need to finish packing.

Where are you moving to now?

 

[JimBear]

So this project is going on a hiatus now. We are moving next week and I need to finish packing.

That’s some good work Wayne.

Are you leaving the Dakota Territory or just relocating locally ?

 

[Dub11]

Where are you moving to now?

That’s some good work Wayne.

Are you leaving the Dakota Territory or just relocating locally ?

Just moving across the river 30 minutes to Hawley MN. More house, 5 times the yard and TREES.

 

[redline4]

Just moving across the river 30 minutes to Hawley MN. More house, 5 times the yard and TREES.

Careful, as @stihl livin has proven, everything is gayer in Mn.

 

[farminkarman]

Careful, as @stihl livin has proven, everything is gayer in Mn.

True statement...even their football team wears purple.

 

[stihl livin]

Careful, as @stihl livin has proven, everything is gayer in Mn.

You have me confused with your brother gayron

 

[hacskaroly]

So this project is going on a hiatus now.

This has been a cool thread and very interesting to see the process. It looks like a fun/useful hobby. Too bad I don't have any extra time or money or else I might look into this...lol. Good luck with the move and getting everything set back up quickly!

 

[Dub11]

Careful, as @stihl livin has proven, everything is gayer in Mn.

That is what everyone keeps saying here in ND about Minnesota.

Nothing is random?

 

[Eduardo K]

There was a time when I was buying tool leather and stitching together axe sheaths. Reading about the new welt reminded me of those days. “Awl then saddle stitch was the only way” because it didn’t cut the leather fibers like drilling, instead it separated them.
Being a keyboard jockey with soft hands, that didn’t last. I ended up buying a drill press for a dremel and used a tiny bit to drill to do the awl part.

Nice work. I get fed up with planned obsolescence and our throw away culture.