I could swing by the tool library to get the heat gun, but I was hoping a hair dryer would do…after getting really annoyed with how the last set of veg tan heel counters went in on some boots (I can’t tack them to get lumps out when there’s a heel plate! d’oh!), I felt like the ICanMakeShoes teacher made this look so easy that I want to try it out.
Problem is, last time I tried to heat up some that I cut from a sheet, it didn’t want to cooperate and didn’t seem hot enough. How do I troubleshoot this? My first thought is that maybe it just needs to get much hotter than I imagine, but I also wonder if the material gets old or is stored in some particular conditions, could it lose its ability to melt and stick?
I don’t have experience with this directly, but my first thought would be to find the make and model of the material you’re cutting and find the manufacturer’s directions or product guide.
I’ve had good luck just asking manufacturers of various components for guidance in the past. A lot of these things get sold over and over to the same customers in bulk, so they rarely come with instructions. The customer’s just assumed to have got them early on, years ago.
This method and material is sooooo easy. I use it often!
Before, I used acetone to loosen the material, then place it, tack it and allow to dry. Now I use this method and using a heel pry (or a butter knife) one can easily shape this up. I do use Cut Resistant Gloves while forming because it gives some protection from the heated material. I suppose any cotton glove would work as well.
