I’ve finally posted the second part of how to cast heel blocks. To check it out, follow the “Casting Heel Blocks” link in the header.
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Song a Week #8 is a cover of Laid by James.
Another week of accordion, trumpet and guitar, but with the return of the banjo.
Still haven’t figured out how to record decent sounding vocals yet with just plugging a mic into the back of the computer. I keep hoping to find the perfect set of effects to make it sound like I’m not singing in a cardboard box. The search goes on…
After buying those wooden pegs yesterday, I started wondering about the strange cryptic sizing system that’s printed within the “blue ring” and what the numbers are actually all about.
I did some research and found a post over on the The HCC that stated the first number is the length of the peg in 1/8 inch increments, and the second number is the width as a gauge measurement, the larger the number, the smaller the width.
I decided to test this explanation and compare what measurements should be using this theory with actual measurements taken from a sampling of pegs, and so I broke out the vernier caliper to take some measurements. So scientific huh?
Blau Ring 4 1/2 – 14
4.5 x 1/8 inch (4.5 x 3.175 mm = 14.287 mm) in length
by 14 gauge (1.628 mm) in width
Actual measurements: 15 mm in length by 2 mm in width
Blau Ring 5 1/2 – 12
5.5 x 1/8 inch (5.5 x 3.175 mm = 17.462 mm) in length
by 12 gauge (2.053 mm) in width
Actual measurements: 18 mm in length by 2 mm in width
Blau Ring 6/11
6 x 1/8 inch (6 x 3.175 mm = 19.05 mm) in length
by 11 gauge (2.305 mm) in width
Actual measurements: 20.52 mm in length by 2.5 mm in width
Blau Ring 7/9
7 x 1/8 inch (9 x 3.175 mm = 22.225 mm) in length
by 9 gauge (2.906 mm) in width
Actual measurements: 24 mm in length by 2.75 mm in width
In actual measurements, all the lengths are longer than what they should be by the 1/8 inch increment system and widths are a little off as well. For example there’s no difference between the 14 1/2 and the 15 1/2. Both are 2 mm.
The two sets of numbers are close though, so it’s possible that the pegs are measured by length in 1/8 inch increments (or something close to that) and width by gauge. The pegs are wood after all and there’s quite a bit of variation within a box.
Honestly, for lack of any information from the manufacturer, this 1/8 inch by gauge theory of the measuring system is a good enough explanation of what’s on top of and in the box. The 1/8 inch length system could perhaps be related to heel height being measured in 1/8 inch increments, and the wooden pegs might be drawn through a series of gauge plates in order to reduce there size during manufacturing.
For now though, what the exact meaning of these two sets of numbers are and why the two measurements on some sizes are separated by a “-” and on others by a “/” will have to remain a mystery contained within the “Blau Ring.”
I went on a shopping trip yesterday to MacPherson, my local finder, to pick up some adhesive to glue the GumLite soles onto the boots I’ve been working on. I finally finished stitching the midsoles on and am ready to move forward.
I’ve decided to try out one of adhesives made by Renia using their Rehagol primer to see how well it works with the GumLite soles. Gerry was also kind enough to give me a sample of Ortec to try out, which I think might be a nice and fairly non-toxic adhesive to use for upper making.
I also picked up a box of Blau Ring 5 1/2 – 12 wood pegs, the smallest they have. A little longer than I would like, but they’ll work for attaching rands.
My “day job” has been taking precedence of my time lately and while learning some new things, I combined together a few of them and made this piece of completely pointless JavaScript controlled CSS.
I made a test for the slip-ons over the weekend and the pattern looks good. Mostly I was trying to improving my upper making skills by making a really long “Silked Seam” and doubt I’ll use this design for the final uppers.
Song a Week #7 is a Human League cover.
I made it around the toe of the left boot last night.
Finished stitching the midsole onto the right boot last night. I’ll start working on the left tonight and hopefully the soles will go on later this week.
Here’s the pattern I’ll be using for the blake stitch slip-ons. Only two pieces! The pattern piece that looks like a pair of shorts is for the non-slip.
