Thanks for your kind words folks
Just for making note, seems my army boots sole only failed because the rubber sole was a size too big, and it bonded fine with the pattex,
(the other boot has delaminated at the arch)
As you can see I didn't do a great job of it, mainly due to the shape of the timber,
but if it fails, it seems that would largely be down to the gap factor, rather than the glue,
and can do both should they both start talking.
Since cut off that end bit of the timber as it was troublesome, and could likely even do a better job of getting it a better fit with some paper with graphite to note the contact areas, as graphite on rubber doesn't work I was to find out, probably close enough and likely differing on each brand of boot anyway.
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Having spent since a good few days looking at various things, like differing methods of construction, to do a somewhat half way functional job.
Upon a proper look at the boots again with some extremely basic understanding of things now,
I ended up coming to the conclusion that the above video of Steve at Bedo's leatherworks was the only way I could make these old boots solid again,
and not a mish mash of various roundabouts which might be more suited to those who make a proper shoemakers last instead of a shoe repairers last.
Regardless it seems I bit off more than I could chew, as I totally underestimated the sheer amount of leather required.
And the only way of coming even close would have involved near a bag full of leather,
and too much sowing, so sorry to disappoint as I was thinking I coulda bodged it somehow, and found the answer on youtube.
With that said thought you still might be interested in seeing the boots again from a perspective of repair,
say if I had a meter sized sheet of 3mm thick leather, which I presume ain't cheap...
Those staples kinda rotted the leather on these Caterpillars, and I guess Steve would bond another layer to these, (pure guess)
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Thinking I might get away with it, I ploughed on and marked the locations of the inner sole and the boot, counting the stitches for alignment
Just saying as a warning to others as I nearly or possibly went too far and should have done this beforehand.
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Change of tack needed and turned my attention to the last pair or keepers,
which unfortunately have a plastic sole also, but gotta make do with it,
(a charity shop job for 35 quid)
Done some experimentation with the sander, and I spent all day in a hedge afterwards unsuccessfully looking for old rubber soles
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Seems like it possibly could be successful to use the old soles for these to make a machinery themed scrimpers pair, or rat boots if you like
After spending too long searching in the hedge, I eventually turned my attention to an old car tire
which I was refraining from wanting to use, after once taking a hub off was difficult if you do it wrong, but doing it like the poor folks on youtube isn't that bad at all,
and at least the wall of the tire is cut able.
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Seems a great resource which may come in handy for other stuff!
went back for another slice which was closer to the inner bead and might save me some work packing that heel.
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Sorry for the delay in replying but wanted to give a decent attempt/response .
Tom