Boot Cut outs

[bunker]

Alright so I have Imperial Boots boots.  They come with the soles flush and not with the cut outs like it says in the CRLs for level 2 cert.  Anyone got ideas or guidance on 1) either cutting out the cut outs or 2) preferred, some soles that are pre-cut to the requirement?

[Aradun]

Option 1 is the easier root imho. You’ll need an exacto knife with a chisel blade. I think I used a 1/4” chisel. Take a look at photos of the original sierras and then draw out your cut lines with pencil. That way if you need to adjust you simply erase and readjust.

 

There’s a great tutorial here:

 

Biker Scout Boots Tutorial

 

http://forum.501stpathfinders.com/index.php?/topic/19708-biker-scout-boots-tutorial/

 

Cheesewhoopy used a regular exacto blade, but I found a chisel blade to be a bit more precise and easier to use.

[Retrofire]

Hi Stephen @equuspolo recently was awarded Lancer and he’s wearing the IB scout boots. He might be a good troop to tag up with. Dennis is also right on point with making them look like the screen used Hi-Tec Sierra Sneakers. Please keep in mind that when you are making your boot cuts you’re using basically a scalpel so go slow and watch those fingers! I say this from experience and a trip to the ER to get a couple of stitches and a funny look from the Doc who asked me how I did it. “You’re making what now?”😂

We’re here for you so you need us you let us know!

[bunker]

thanks guys will let you know what turns out

 

[equuspolo]

Hey Stephen, so the sole you see up top on Dennis' boot is Perfect.  That is stunning.  I looked at god knows how many photos of the boots out there and that is dead on accurate.  So there are a few variants that I have seen.  So I made my cuts on my IB boots to the most common one.  In all honesty, if I would have seen that example of Dennis' boots I would have done that.  So that is an awesome photo example.  Most of the boots are some form of work boot that is then converted to a scout boot, like the originals.  The IB boots are a straight forward boot.  Since I literally have over a dozen boots that I live in professionally as a horseman, I preferred to go with an actual boot.  That is the only reason why I chose the IB boots, or else I would have made them as well.  What I did on my boots is used a standard Xacto knife and very carefully did my wedge cuts.  The wedge cuts are also cut in a common pattern, but then I added the cut outs above the lowe cut outs around the front part of the boots.  I just liked that look better and it is closer to what Dennis' cuts are.  I made my cuts deep because I wanted them to stand out a bit and I used a little tiny bit of distressing paint inside the cuts to make them pop a bit more.  Also, you have to paint the upper part of the soul to match the sole.  You will see that there is one dark later and it just needs to match the soul.  Standard Testors tan pain is a perfect match. 

Now, I also putt a bracing bar on the inside of my boot against the holster to stiffen it up a bit more.   And probably should add a thin layer of leather or vinyl on the inside to reinforce the leather shaft for weight of the blaster. 

Finally, the dogbone on the boots, while they are accurate, they are too big in that they should not run over and down on to the sole.  so I took mine off, which you need to do carefully and replace it with new dogbones with the double stitch.  Easy way to do this is to have the dogbone cutouts, double stitch them and reglue them back on.  I had mine stitched on to the boot. 

If you go with IB, that is the way to do it. 

Finally, be very very very careful with the blade so you don't in to yourself.  It can easily happen.  It is a ton of tedious work hahaha but just be patient and you can get it done pretty quickly.  Just don't rush it because that is when you will make a cut that is wrong and or cut yourself which would be even worse.

Finally, I would recommend, like you see, draw out the pattern on the sole.  The pieces that need to be cut out, lightly darken them with pencil or something so that you clearly know what you need to cut out. If you just draw lines, you may by accident cut out the wrong box.  So make sure they are distinct, the ones that you are cutting out that is.

Hope this helps.

 

You can see the teeth have just a heavier and more biting look to them, which is what I wanted especially for videos and photos.   Also, again on the front teeth, you can see there is a long bar and then a short bar with small cut out above it.  I didnt like that empty spot above the short bar so I added the extra cutout above it to make it look more like Dennis' cut.  Most just do the alternating short and long.  But what Dennis has up top is dead on what it needs to be.  Had I seen that, I would have done that.  So this is my adjustment to match that.