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Guest wob

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im a civilian with a lot of interest in finding a great cobbler in London (pref Battersea, Clapham way but willing to travel!).. ive got a pair of combat style boots in need of resoling (i think) and others waiting in the wings for saving...

 

the boots i need sorting out right now have soles in perfectly good condition but this annoying squeak that's made every time i walk (on pretty much any surface but carpet)... I've tried oiling and talc-ing but I'm now told that the squeak is proably friction based, something to do with where one section of the sole has worn flat and is rubbing on the ground as i walk... terrible design if you ask me as ive never had this before and these boots werent exactly cheap!

 

can i post pics and ask the experts advice?

and also get some top tips on finding a great cobbler in my area?

 

thanks all.

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The squeak will more offten than not be caused by friction, but not from the external source of contact with the ground. The problem will be 2 internal surfaces moving together, one wll move at a different rate than the other. you can try this test, get 2 pieces of thick card the same lenght and holding them together at the bottom bend them over, you will see that one moves more than the other and this is what is happening with the sole or heel and the underlying components.

The solution is to remove the units and roughen and replace them so that there is no smooth surface contact with each component.

Ther are exceptions but generally this is the common cause of queaking.

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The squeak will more offten than not be caused by friction, but not from the external source of contact with the ground. The problem will be 2 internal surfaces moving together, one wll move at a different rate than the other. you can try this test, get 2 pieces of thick card the same lenght and holding them together at the bottom bend them over, you will see that one moves more than the other and this is what is happening with the sole or heel and the underlying components.

The solution is to remove the units and roughen and replace them so that there is no smooth surface contact with each component.

Ther are exceptions but generally this is the common cause of queaking.

 

so a sole replacement might not be needed at all?

im so pleased i found this forum and some advice from the experts!

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Hi again Wob

 

I would recommend complete new units on these boots, and as hugh has suggested there will be movement inside the boots of some description which could also involve some extra work

I have found the details of 2 repairers in Battersea, any competent repairer “shouldâ€

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Hi again Wob

 

I would recommend complete new units on these boots, and as hugh has suggested there will be movement inside the boots of some description which could also involve some extra work

I have found the details of 2 repairers in Battersea, any competent repairer “shouldâ€

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thanks for the reply..

when you say 'complete new units' what exactly do you mean? that sounds scary and expensive! ive been nervous about getting them resoled because i dont know what my new sole options would be and want something similar and that doesnt stand out as a replacement...

 

"Complete new units" means the entire sole & heel unit or moulding upto the line of sight where you have photographed the split on the heel, this is where the "Unit" has begun to pull away from the upper construction.

Scary, NO. Expensive I'll PM you a price & you decide! but if they are comfortable then the price is worth paying!

 

something similar and that doesnt stand out as a replacement...
this is why I would recommend a complete unit, as there will be no joins or obvious extra layers, they will look as good as new, with fresh tread & wear.

 

plus - any particular reason for mentioning those two places? are these guys good and do they know what they're doing!
None! I did a mailing to the industry using all the repairers listed with thomson local directory I simply searched the database using "Battersea" as a search term.

 

PM'd

 

Lee

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Hi Wob, You could always post them up to the midlands and have them repaired to the highest possible standard :wink:

 

uk900 8)

 

Cheeky ****** :lol: although he's good wob, he's not as good as me :smt062

 

Lee

 

Edited by moderater. Please read the terms and conditions. Foul and abusive language is not permitted lol

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As the "Overall" expert Wob, (I have a degree in Overall manufacture :lol: ) I would only let a few guys repair my shoes and they are on this forum, good as the others in Battersea may be you will get a better aftersales service on here as they dare not do anthing but a top class job for you, just think of the ribbing they would get on this forum :wink:

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wait til i let you at my vintage boots!

 

im quite keen to get the boots done locally if possible, to save on the postage costs (plus the postal strike thing worries me) and just coz it'll be a quicker turn around and it somehow seems right to find somone local if at all possible.. i was hoping there would be somebody local(ish - at least London!) on here...

 

but, at the same time i want the job done properly... its nice to have two experts fighting over who can repair my boots best! id also be interested in who can give me the best deal!

 

if anyone has any london recomendations then i'll try that route first but otherwise ill be sending them away for repair.... hwo quickly could i have these back if i went with one of you guys?

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Paul is indeed based in London. Not a million miles from Battersea :D

 

 

Keith

 

great! does paul ever come on here? can i ask him a few q's via the site?

the london prices thing is making me think it might end being cheaper to post my boots somewhere else but we'll see!

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(plus the postal strike thing worries me)

 

Royal Mail has reached an agreement with the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) which means that the strike action planned for this week won’t take place.

 

Lee

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great! does paul ever come on here? can i ask him a few q's via the site?

the london prices thing is making me think it might end being cheaper to post my boots somewhere else but we'll see!

 

just out of interest ? what are you willing to pay? whats the max? then the better question would be ,whos willing to do them for the price you have in mind? as it seems that price is the issue here? i no lots of cobblers will repair them for a tenner.................but how long will they last for a tenner?will they stay on or let water in? the most important issue here is? are they fitting youre feet ,like snug as a bug in a rug?do you really love them that much..you dont want to part with them? quality of material and skilled workmanship should always come before price...id pay 35.00 minimum for a top job...the question is...whats the job worth to you?

all the best on youre quest..welcome to the forum...

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Guest Iain Cheall

has paul left the forum I can't seem to find his details :roll:

 

wob this has become the usual sort of topic on here now

 

you came on and asked for help repairing your boots, you got the advice and help you were asking for and then you mentioned the 4 letter word 'DEAL'. this word gets every shoe repairers back up and they get all defensive over their prices. :lol:

 

What you meant to ask was how much should I expect to pay for a quality repair that will last the vigors of me wearing these boots doing what I do in them :?:

 

So before you all start up biting this CUSTOMERS head off lets try treating him as we would someone coming into our shops.

 

what I suggest happens now is anyone who is interested in repairing wobs boots pm's him with a price and he can decide which offer is best for him.

 

Welcome to the forum wob if you hang around you will find this lot are a fiesty bunch especially if they think someone is challenging their right to charge ££££ to do a job.

 

:P

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