Long Nails! - Heel caps

[why4009]

Just got some heel caps off of ebay and I was surprised by how long the nails are, they are 7/8 of inch. Is that right? Anyone ever put in your own heels caps?

I called the shoe store and they said they need to be long to be able to keep the cap on.

The nail goes almost into the sole of the shoe.

Anyone see an issue with the nail going that deep?

Thanks.

 

[orthofrancis]

I wondered about this as well. It can be rather difficult to send the nail straight into the heel at that length and that width, and it is likely to bend.

Walking can be treacherous, as when your heel strikes, it can slip if the metal nail provides poor friction with polished surfaces.

Consider shortening the nails - I doubt they will pull out, even at half their length.

 

[bigshoe]

There are nails used in shoe construction called clinch point nails. They are meant to be driven thru the sole and insole where they hit either a steel plate on the last or the iron last in a repair mans jack and last. The idea being that they act as a rivet and turn the point over. If done correctly you will never know they are there. You do not need them that long for a heel tap. If you have a local repair shop ask him for some 6/8 or 5/8 threaded nails these will hold until you wear out the tap.
Tom