Introduction: Plywood Go Getas!

About: Hi :) Thank you, humbly for taking the time to explore my projects. I thoroughly enjoy learning and working with my hands, and hope that you find what I create, and the intentions behind them both worth your …

These are Geta slippers. They're different cos they're made of plywood, with replaceable wooden Has (teeth)!

Over time, the stilts on the bottom (Ha) wear down. So that you won't have to throw away the whole pair, I've made these to be tough, with replaceable Ha so you can enjoy them indefinitely.

Try not to look directly at my feet --long day at work and too tired to get them picture ready... •_•

Anyway,

Here's how I made them!

Step 1: Puzzle Pieces

-Plywood
-Wooden post or stick
-Clothesline twine (nylon)
-Washers
-Plastic/rubber/silicone tubing
-Drywall screws

Cut the plywood to the size you need, and make it so your heels hang juuuust slightly over the back ledge. Cut the teeth from the wooden post to be juuuust a bit narrower than the width of the slippers.

Step 2: Mark and Drill

Mark and drill the locations for the holes by stepping onto one of the slippers. And after you make your marks for where to drill, make mirrored marks on the other slipper.

Drill the toe-strap slightly bigger than the 2 heel-straps. This is because the toe-strap holds two pieces of twine.

Step 3: Sand!

This part of the slipper will be reused. So sand them to your liking:) (then spray it with polyurethane, if you want them to withstand some exposure to the elements).

After that's done...

Step 4: Fit the Teeth!

Drill some holes that are the size of the heads of your screws ***but not all the way through the teeth!***

You want to countersink the heads of the screws so they don't scrape and wear off from expected ground wear and tear.

Then make marks on the bottom of the Getas for where your screws and teeth will go. Then simply screw them on, TIGHTLY.

*Consider this: It's probably best to place the front Ha just under the ball of your feet, and the rear Ha just slightly forward of your heel. It makes it so the rolling action of your foot (whilst walking) is transferred to the base points of the Geta, and it'll give your calf muscles less fatigue. I'd tell you to trust me on this, but we all have different feet...

Step 5: Fit the Straps...

Tie on the nylon clothesline by getting an excessively long length, and burning the tips a bit to melt them and prevent fray.

String the two tips up from under each Geta, one end through each heel entry.

Mock fit the geta on(under) your foot and while holding the twine together above your foot, tie a knot by looping the two twine ends around itself, and pulling the two tips together through the loop. The knot loop will be sitting between your Lg and second toe, just slightly encroaching higher than the knuckle and towards the dorsal of your foot.

Now push the two tips through the toe-strap hole, and through a metal washer, repeat with another tied and tightened loop. This should fit a bit loose on your foot now.

Repeat for the other Geta.

Step 6: Dress the Straps

Using some rubber tubing, measure the length of each strap. There is the toe strap (shortest), the medial strap (mid length), and the lateral strap (longest). Make 2 of each.

Undo the nylon twine and insert them into the tubes according to their location. You won't have to make any markings on the twine because the tubing already act as the desired length and therefore already show you where to make the knot/loop (I'm not familiar with the names of knots, so please feel free to drop some knowledge on me in the comments:)

Step 7: Try Them On!

Get comfortable with walking in your plywood go geta slippers!

If I may advise, don't try going up or down any stairs just yet...

Notes:

These Geta are supposed to be über tough; the nylon wont stretch much and the rubber straps ensure some comfort and hold. When the teeth start to wear out on you, simply unscrew them and cut new ones out of the same (or differently sized) wood! Get creative and make designs or stain your custom Geta:) make a few for your friends and family, too •_•