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Replacing dovetails?

post #1 of 9
10/5/11 at 9:39am
Thread Starter 
Is it possible to replace dovetails only, without replacing the whole heel-lift (and retain the nail pattern)? My long-time trusted cobbler said he can't. Have anyone tried?
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post #2 of 9
10/5/11 at 12:05pm
I don't see why not. I imagine there have to be rubber dovetail inserts available for sale that can be shaved to fit the heel lift.

you may want to contact B.Nelson. If anyone can do it, they can.
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post #3 of 9
10/5/11 at 4:28pm
No can do.....
The rubber portion is an underlay the length and width of the entire top-lift.
The leather portion of the lift is laminated to the rubber.
You can see it from the angle in this picture:

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=alden+lhs&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1W1ADRA_en&biw=1024&bih=570&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsfd&tbnid=X5NA4nK8LUpBhM:&imgrefurl=http://www.redclaysoul.com/%3Fp%3D719&docid=V36iu_gfDlcCjM&w=600&h=600&ei=seeMTsL2N4_FtAaY6annCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=751&vpy=241&dur=266&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=117&ty=160&page=1&tbnh=115&tbnw=116&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:0
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post #4 of 9
10/5/11 at 4:35pm
I had wondered about this too. Nick, if only the dovetail is worn down, do you replace the entire heel, or only part of the stacked heel?
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post #5 of 9
10/5/11 at 5:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick V. View Post

No can do.....
The rubber portion is an underlay the length and width of the entire top-lift.
The leather portion of the lift is laminated to the rubber.
You can see it from the angle in this picture:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=alden+lhs&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1W1ADRA_en&biw=1024&bih=570&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsfd&tbnid=X5NA4nK8LUpBhM:&imgrefurl=http://www.redclaysoul.com/%3Fp%3D719&docid=V36iu_gfDlcCjM&w=600&h=600&ei=seeMTsL2N4_FtAaY6annCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=751&vpy=241&dur=266&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=117&ty=160&page=1&tbnh=115&tbnw=116&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:0

I understand that if the rubber portion cover the entire top-lift then it's impossible, though what if it covers only partially? This is an example:
DSC_0013.jpg
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post #6 of 9
10/5/11 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThinkDerm View Post

I had wondered about this too. Nick, if only the dovetail is worn down, do you replace the entire heel, or only part of the stacked heel?

Only the top-lift which is laminated together. The base should stay in tact.

It's common that cobblers will remove the entire base and add a solid rubber heel taking away from the appearance of a high-grade shoe. Then, they up-charge another customer and use your leather stacked base. Bad for the industry. Use a reputable cobbler and be specific in what you want. They'll know what to do.
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post #7 of 9
10/5/11 at 6:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by onix View Post

I understand that if the rubber portion cover the entire top-lift then it's impossible, though what if it covers only partially? This is an example:
DSC_0013.jpg

No it's not...the underlay goes through.Take a closer look. Take my word for it. That's how they are designed/made. There's a purpose for that.

If I recall, you designed a method for preserving the wear of a toe or heel, homemade. You were going to post the results....

How did that work out for you?
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post #8 of 9
10/5/11 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick V. View Post

No it's not...the underlay goes through.Take a closer look. Take my word for it. That's how they are designed/made. There's a purpose for that.
Yeah, you're right. Interesting. Learn new things everyday.
Quote:
If I recall, you designed a method for preserving the wear of a toe or heel, homemade. You were going to post the results....
How did that work out for you?
Yeah, it's a solution for toe taps. It works great actually, a year and a half and nothing I could want more. Honestly though, my shoe rotation grows to the point that probably I never need to resole any of them, so I stopped using that solution on my shoes. Though the heels still wear out much faster than the balls, hence this thread.
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post #9 of 9
10/6/11 at 7:47am
Nick, PM sent regarding toplift replacement. icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif
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