Tire Sandals, pt 3

Making sandals out of old tires is cheap, environmentally friendly and a lot of fun (although if you do it in the middle of summer, it's equally sweaty).

There's a few more details here than other versions, but others are worth the read.

The original industructable is here. Check this site, though, for the granddaddy of tire sandal pages,though.

Step 1 Cut the tire

Of course, your first step is to get a tire. Try your local freecycle group or craigslist for a tire somebody wants to get rid of.

I used a reciprocating saw to start with. Keep pouring water on the tire to make it easier to cut. Most tires have metal bands on the insides--you'll have to cut these out first.

Use the saw to cut across the tire first, then cut the bands out. If you get a wide truck tire, I recommend cutting the sidewalls off too--they get in the way and you'll have to cut them off anyway.

Make a pattern using a shoe that you like--make sure you've got plenty of room on the sides of your feet--you'll need 1/8-1/4" later.

Cut off a piece of the tire a bit larger than your pattern.

Comments

[germeten]

An idea: when chiseling your tire, allow for tabs where you would attach straps, make slots in those tabs, then cut the tabs through the rubber down to, but not through, the cloth webbing, so the tabs turn upward without difficulty and now you can thread your straps through. The more tabs, the more options. Cut off the useless tabs when you find a strap design you like. I like to use old bike tubes, cut into strips, for straps, which you can also braid. Being stretchy does away with adjustment issues.

[micmac]

I did Tire Sandals Pt. 2. How did I miss this? Good work. It looks like you thought through the straps a bit more than I did. They look really secure. Since it is 96 degrees today, I'm working on another pair using a motorcycle tire I found. Also, anyone planning to make a pair, I cannot caution you enough about practicing safe cutting. There are numerous ways to really hurt yourself with a utility razor and a tough cutting job. Think it through and be safe.

[mechanick]

I've found it's easier to use a temporary spare tire. These little throw-away spares aren't made with steel belts so cut and shape a little easier. They are the closest to the old polyester and nylon tires used by Mexicans, Vietnamese, Africans and Indians that popularized this functional footwear. The only drawback is the tires are narrow and more curved than a regular tire, but they do flatten out with time.

[tdoggkillz]

The link for the Vietnamese Tire Sandals has given me a few ideas. The webbing really doesn't look that tough, since instead of threading it through the tire you're cutting all the way through and tying it on the other side. I have been hoping to imitate the Chacos style of webbing, and that design comes really close! I just want to know how to be able to do it w/o punching all the way through the sole. Seems impossible without a little layering and a lot of glue! Any ideas?

[crazybilly]

I dunno. this design is ok, but it doesn't fit on my feet the way as well as my Chacos do--the straps slide down the arch of my feet towards my toes, rather than sitting up by my ankles like they should. I dunno if a 2nd layer of tire with glue would work or not. The worst part is that it would mean that you'd have to cut more, which is, of course, the worst part ;)

[tdoggkillz]

I hope to make a pair soon, all I need is to find another tire. The current one I have is much much too thick to work with. I've never posted an instructable, but there's a first time for everything.

[becauseican]

this is in steal this book

[drbill]

I almost got a copy of that book when it first came out but I was'nt fast enough!

[drbill]

Ho Chi Min sandals! Cool

[rwin]

nice, you did everything right except "buying" the strap & buckles

[prank]

For doing the rough cut, I've had a lot of luck using a sharp knife and holding the tire in tension. The tension is really important, otherwise you get bupkis

[crazybilly]

how do you keep the tension up? I don't have a vise, so that's out. Any other good ideas?

[rpenney]

park a car on it, have a friend pull while you cut, hey maybe make him a pair at the same time so he has a reason to help.

[prank]

I step on the tire with one foot, pull with one hand, and cut with the other hand. A friend is also useful here --me

[fegundez1]

dremel style tools really make some steps a lot easier.you can cut and use the router bits to clean up the sides.