New Calcei HOW-TO page under construction

[Neuraleanus]

I have started to revise my page on making first century calcei. I have just put up the first part and more is to come.

[url:3tsga7b1]http://www.legiotricesima.org/campusMartis/makingCalcei/makingcalcei.html[/url]

[Magnus]

Lee, is the last an absolute requirement? It looks like a ton of work, and I'm just wondering if people (like myself) would be discouraged from the extra step, if there was some way around it?

[Neuraleanus]

Lee, is the last an absolute requirement? It looks like a ton of work, and I'm just wondering if people (like myself) would be discouraged from the extra step, if there was some way around it?

You can try the duck-tape over the foot method, wrap duck-tape over a couple of old socks covered in plastic wrap, to create a pattern:
[attachment=0:2zd7ipki]<!-- ia0 DucktapemockupSmall.jpg<!-- ia0 [/attachment:2zd7ipki]
It's less precise and it is difficult to draw the cutting lines by yourself. The major problem with this method is getting the shape consistent. Florentius made his first pair of calcei without the use of a last, adding an additional shaping step aided by a shoe-tree:

[url:2zd7ipki]http://www.florentius.com/calcei-assembly1.htm[/url]

I think that it is actually easier to make the lasts first. My lasts only took me about a week to make. Access to a band saw helps.

From the lasts, I also realized that I had placed the straps too high up on the ankle when I made my first pair.

[jvrjenivs]

Wonderfull tutorial. Maybe I should try a pair of shoes myself some day soon. Looking forward to the rest of the progress.

[Neuraleanus]

Added pictures of the lining. I hope to have both uppers done by the end of the weekend so that I may begin lasting next week.

[url:16te7ngw]http://www.legiotricesima.org/campusMartis/makingCalcei/makingcalcei.html[/url]

[Neuraleanus]

Another update to my calcei HOW-TO page, I lasted the right upper.

[url:2dozo2tk]http://www.legiotricesima.org/campusMartis/makingCalcei/makingcalcei.html[/url]

[jvrjenivs]

Very helpful. Should give this a try some day.

[Neuraleanus]

Very helpful. Should give this a try some day.

Gratias. Eventually I will include a list of required tools.

Looking at the lasted upper, I wonder whether the romans ever polished their shoes. My intent is to leave the leather in the natural oil-finished state, but they could be gone over with shoe polish.

[Neuraleanus]

I just finished sewing the upper to the insole and have added pictures of this effort to the site.

[url:yu3714bs]http://www.legiotricesima.org/campusMartis/makingCalcei/makingcalcei.html[/url]

[Neuraleanus]

Last update for the weekend: I glued on the out-sole and added the lace. Now I need to finish the left boot and hopefully I will get to the hobnails by the week after next.

[url:mkieq965]http://www.legiotricesima.org/campusMartis/makingCalcei/makingcalcei.html[/url]


I tried the right boot on and it fits great.

[Peroni]

Excellent work !

[MARCvSVIBIvSMAvRINvS]

Great looking Calcei!!

M.VIB.M.

[Neuraleanus]

I just finished the right boot:

[attachment=0:11drthhz]<!-- ia0 finishedbootSmall.jpg<!-- ia0 [/attachment:11drthhz]

More pictures are on my calcei page:

[url:11drthhz]http://www.legiotricesima.org/campusMartis/makingCalcei/makingcalcei.html[/url]

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Nice work!

[Neuraleanus]

Gratias.

Oh by the way, I've included on the calcei page several pictures showing the process I employ for hobnailing. Of particular interest will be the before and after shots of the nail, as it comes from the factory and after filing. The filing is allot of work, but necessary to have any hope of getting a straight hobnail.

[url:200iwva4]http://www.legiotricesima.org/campusMartis/makingCalcei/makingcalcei.html[/url]