highheelsman

Hi everyone, I have posted a couple of times on the board but I haven't really introduced myself.

My name is Steve. I am a 32 year old straight male. I am 6'3" tall and I weigh 165lbs.. I live in a little town called Seffner Florida. It is right next to Tampa Florida. The town is so small that you can go through 1 traffic light and blink and you will miss it.

I am a complicated person with lots on my mind. I am always looking for something to get into or do. And If there is nothing to do, I will make something to do. I am always thinking about creating or invinting something.

I am sort of a country boy. I don't mind working hard or getting dirty. I like to outdoors alot. I enjoy walks out in the woods or trails. And I enjoy riding the 4 wheeler and racing. My uncle and cousin race latemodels and dragsters and they wont let me touch one yet.. They are making me prove myself racing go carts first. So I spend time doing that too.

I am kind of a quiet person most of the time. Always thinking about something. Most people think I am depressed because I don't talk much. But when they just wont leave me alone, that Is when I get a little depresed.

The is a side of me that most everyone will never see... I enjoy high heels in the bedroom and that has led to crossdressing. But I still haven't figured out yet how to explain all that to a girl yet.

That Should give you a good Idea about me and who I am and what I am about!

$400 isn't a bad price for a custom last as it happens.

Re using fibreglass for heels: All "fibreglass" is is glass reinforced plastic. For heels all you need to do is make up the resin and pour it into a mould of some kind, you don't need the mat.

Steaming wood to make the sole could have merits but if it ever got wet then it could spring back into its original shape. You would be better gluing thin sheets of wood together over a former and preformig the soles that way.

Go to your local shoemaker and tell him what you want to do, he might be able to tell you where you can get the parts from.

My advice to everyone on this forum is that you should not make high heels unless you know what you are doing. This is because even small details like using the wrong kind of nails can have disasterous consequences!

Your the best Dr. Shoe!

I am going to form the wood layers like you said and then coat it in fiberglass to water proof it....

I have a little mold / cast experience and I made a mold and cast of my hand. I had to wear a rubber glove though to keep anything from sticking to my hand. You might try putting a bread bag over your leg to keep anything from sticking to your skin and pulling hair out when you remove it

I used a silicone rubber mix that hardened in about 5 minutes. You can get it at your local hobby store. Here in Tampa Florida Usa that is Hobbytown USA. If you do make a rubber last, just remember that it will flex and move some. But the good part is that you can move it into any position that you want!

there isn't a thing wrong with wanting to try to make your own high heels. As Dr. Shoe has said, it will be difficult. But, it is better to try and not do too good of a job than it is not to try at all. Have at it. I wish you good luck.

I just went out today and bought some fiberglass mat, resin, and hardner at the auto parts store. And then I went to Toys R Us and I bought a Erector set.... I will upload some pictures of what I come up with (when I come up with what ever it is)

Actually that isn't strictly true but it is on the right track.

Firstly, a cobbler doesn't make shoes, he repairs them. Only a shoemaker or a cordwainer makes and repairs shoes.

Secondly, the actual making of shoes is not at all difficult as long as you have the right tools and the knowledge, there are very few "tricks of the trade" involved.

What is difficult (and takes more training) is the pattern making and the engineering itself. For example, the heel has to fit the shoe properly otherwise it could kick out or kick under causing the stresses to make the heel collapse with dangerous results. Or it could kick sideways making them difficult to wear and uncomfortable. Then you would have to make a shank. These are make from high carbon steel and often forged into shape and case hardened, do you have the knowledge and the tools to do that?

Making flats is easy, if it weren't then shoes probably would not have been invented in the first place. Heels though takes technical ability.

dr. Shoe, I like the way you describe things... you are good at putting things into perspective. I still don't care (yet) how hard it is going to be. I am a very technical minded person and I am up to the challenge. I have a small shop and lots of tools. So I am up to the challenge (I think)! My first shoes might be end up being wood soles and the uppers might be leather screwed on the side with screws. But before it is over, I will make a nice pair of shoes that have the highest heel possible without being platforms.

I know, I have some big ideas here and no experience. But I do have lots of patience and a little time since I am single. So I will come up with something...

I have thought about possibly steaming/boiling thin wood to bend and shape to make soles, and then getting some sort of vinyl at wallmart or the auto part store. I have a ryobi scroll saw and electric sanders to shape the heel itself.

Has anyone ever though about using fiberglass to make heels/ soles?

making a mold of the heel & sole together. I could build layer on layer to make about a 3/8th inch sole. and then use leather/vinyl uppers. how about that idea?

If anyone has any ideas please post them here.

Thanks everyone...

Dr. Shoe, your the best!

Great idea in theory... Might try it one day.

However, it might be cheaper to buy the lasts as you will be able to buy heels and other components to fit instead of having to make these from scratch.

yes I agree, that would be cheaper and most likly easier. but I am shooting for comfort and fit. The last pair I bought was so painfull that I coulden't stand for more that about a minute. That was my own fault though. So after I made them peep toe, they fit good. that got me thinking about just making my own.

I had 2 ideas so far.. I like the erector set high heels in the odd shoes section and I was also thinking about trying to make some with bamboo!

Name:steve Age:32 Gender:male Location:Brandon Florida Occupation:Electrician Height:6' 3" Weight:160lbs. Shoe size:13 mens What's your favourite heel style:spike heel the taller the better without platforms What's your favourite shoe style:strappy high heel sandals Do you wear your heels outside:at night, in the dark, I do! What is: (a) Your favourite heel height:as high as they come without platforms! ( Your highest heel height:4" How often do you wear: (a) Your favourite heel height:I haven't found a pair with that height that is my size ( Your highest heel height:3" Do you wear socks, hose, stockings or bare feet with your shoes: panty hose if I have a good pair that dosen't have runs in them Anything else you wish to add:Looking for a lady that wants a man that wants to be a lady!

I am going out to buy an erector set right now!!!! mwa ha ha ha The evil high heel shoe geniuse has his gears turning now... Thanks alot... its all your fault

These are freaking awesome!!!! I do some 3d artwork and design and I never thought of anything like this before! Thank your for the inspiration!!!! (did I spell that right?)

I just found a web site that has what we need to make a mold of your feet so you can make your own shoes!!!

http://www.stssox.com/foot_mold_construction.asp

They sell a special self hardening sock that your just put on and hold your foot in any position that you want and it will harden in about 5 minutes.

This solves alot of my problems with a foot mold. After you make your mold, you can pour in plaster of paris or a fast set silicon rubber mix for your very own custom foot casting!!!!!!!

This is the web site where I found the link on how to do it:

http://greencouple.com/2009/03/08/shoemaking-102-making-lasts/

this web site tells you how to do it.

I hope this helps everyone as much as it has just helped me out

P.S. the cheap solution to this is that you can get some plaster of paris and some gauze and then layer that on your foot. And viola... instant foot mold! it just take longer to dry!!

Just remember to keep your heel up in the air or rest it on a block at the same height that you want your heel to be!!!