make shoe soles?

[irishamericanlad]

anyone ever make wearable shoe soles like the superman returns? im not after super soles but i want to make a pair of specific soles out of high qual rubber to wear...
any suggestions?

 

[clonesix]

I have played with the idea. Most rubber soles are injection molded, and beyond the scope of a hobbyist. A 60 shore, two-part polyurethane would be your best bet.


I wanted to build a sneaker sole in white rubber. I have not been able to find a white rubber, as all are a beige color. The thing is, polyurethane is UV sensitive, and will darken in sunlight. I had considered a clear, and tinting it white.

Depending on the type of sole, you will need to make a model (R&L) and mold it for casting.

BTW, never saw SMR

 

[irishamericanlad]

I have played with the idea. Most rubber soles are injection molded, and beyond the scope of a hobbyist. A 60 shore, two-part polyurethane would be your best bet.


I wanted to build a sneaker sole in white rubber. I have not been able to find a white rubber, as all are a beige color. The thing is, polyurethane is UV sensitive, and will darken in sunlight. I had considered a clear, and tinting it white.

Depending on the type of sole, you will need to make a model (R&L) and mold it for casting.

BTW, never saw SMR

really? never saw? the shoes are pretty sweet. i can make molds and such but i wasnt sure what to use for the actual sole...
thanks for chiming in and if you want to tackle it let me know...

 

[MattMunson]

I have played with the idea. Most rubber soles are injection molded, and beyond the scope of a hobbyist. A 60 shore, two-part polyurethane would be your best bet.


I wanted to build a sneaker sole in white rubber. I have not been able to find a white rubber, as all are a beige color. The thing is, polyurethane is UV sensitive, and will darken in sunlight. I had considered a clear, and tinting it white.

Depending on the type of sole, you will need to make a model (R&L) and mold it for casting.

BTW, never saw SMR

Clone6, making a rock solid opaque white urethane is TOTALLY doable. I have done it. There's pigments you can buy that will not only turn it white, but will also make it SUPER opaque.

I have some info on my blog, which coincidentally is ALL about superman returns costume replication. Tons of info and thought process on replicating the boots, including the soles.

Might make for an interesting read for both of you.

Here's a link to the blog:

The Project Work Bench

I'm actually doing research and work on the boots right now.

Here's a link to the blog post where I solved my opacity problem, and the materials I used:
The Project Work Bench: Opacity Problem Is Solved

I have forgotten where I ordered this stuff from, but it's a smooth on product. You can probably figure it out with a call to them.

Hope that helps.

 

[MattMunson]

I think I found it. Smooth-On has a line called "so-strong" that I have used, as far as TINTS go. But apparently, they have an opaque product in the line also. Comes in white and flesh. I THINK the stuff I used was the white opaque.

http://www.smooth-on.com/tb/files/So-Strong_Tints.pdf

 

[punisher]

Matt beat me to it. my answer to all resin and rubber questions is generally smooth-on. you could even give them a call and just ask their opinion on which product would work best. Ive been wondering this also, but for ironman instead.

 

[irishamericanlad]

I'm gonna read ur boot blog cause I'd like to make a fully functional pair of shoes and I agree smoot- on people are very approachable with questions

 

[terryr]

I had a pair of shoes with polyurethane soles. On certain surfaces, like the mall, they were incredibly slippery. I finally gave them to charity before I broke my neck.

Tread never wore though. Must have been 100 shore.

 

[JDFett]

Hey Matt...

checked out your blog...I saw the soles you had in progress back in 2009, did anything ever come of that project?

I have a serious returns boot issue...any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated as those boots are the one thing that really makes this costume near impossible! lol

 

[MarliO]

Clone6, making a rock solid opaque white urethane is TOTALLY doable. I have done it. There's pigments you can buy that will not only turn it white, but will also make it SUPER opaque.

I have some info on my blog, which coincidentally is ALL about superman returns costume replication. Tons of info and thought process on replicating the boots, including the soles.

Might make for an interesting read for both of you.

Here's a link to the blog:

The Project Work Bench

I'm actually doing research and work on the boots right now.

Here's a link to the blog post where I solved my opacity problem, and the materials I used:
The Project Work Bench: Opacity Problem Is Solved

I have forgotten where I ordered this stuff from, but it's a smooth on product. You can probably figure it out with a call to them.

Hope that helps.

Matt, the links above seem to be dead. Have you moved your blog to another site? I would really like to read details of your boot construction. Am currently just starting down the road of constructing a pair of cosplay boots myself. Thanks!

 

[MattMunson]

Hey Marlio! Looks like the links somehow got corrupted, but the blog is still there. Here's a functioning link to the post in question:

Opacity Problem Is Solved

A very exciting day for me over here at the Project Workbench. This morning, I am pleased to discover that I have found a solution for the o...

mattmunson.blogspot.com

I tend to post more to IG now than my blog, but the boot project is still limping along. I got a pair made by an overseas company that was not to my liking, and I am currently working with a local professional to finish it up once and for all.

 

[MattMunson]

Also, if its any help, and if you're asking for advice, mine would be this: Just find a professional boot maker and hire them to make the boots. Boot making is a VERY unusual and complex undertaking, with loads and loads of unique tooling, machinery, and techniques needed to get it done right.

There are however lots of people out there who do it professional, often custom geared to the cosplay/superhero undertaking. I have had really good luck with Cosplay Studio Boheme for a number of boot projects. They do top quality work at very reasonable prices.

 

[pengbuzz]

How to make shoe soles:

1) Buy a couple of large London Broils

2) Cut them a little larger than the size of your foot

3) Leave them in the sun (cover them with plastic so animals and insects don't get at them) for 8-12 weeks

4) Use leather dye on them and an awl to poke holes for sewing onto the upper of your choosing