Tire Sandals: a Guide to Comfy Hand-crafted Footwear.

Materials needed:
Tire
Bicycle innertube
Shoegoo
Cardstock/heavy paper

Tools required:
Jigsaw
Drill
Chisel 1/2in
Scissors
Ruler
Marker
Utility knife
Scrollsaw/bandsaw

Step 1: Create the Pattern

Create the outline by tracing a pair of flip-flops on some cardstock( i actually used an empty cereal box).
Place foot in center of template, mark at the center of ball of foot, mark at center first joint of little toe, mark center of ankle inside and outside.
All slits for straps are 1/4in. from the edge of the templateand 1/2in. wide.
At the ball of the foot, two 1/2in. slits are spereated by 1/4in. centered at the mark made earlier.
At the little toe, the first slit begins at the mark and extend rearward. The second slit is seperated from the first by 1/4in.
At the the ankle, the first 2 slits are centered at the mark and seperated by 1/2in. These slits for a right triangle with its apex pointing toward the inside of the template.
the next 2 slits are at a right angle, to the leading slit you just made, and parallel to each other as well as seperated by 1/4in. from leading end of one to trailing end of the next.
The centerline can be found by finding the center point between the ankle marks and the center point between the marks at the ball of the foot and at the little toe, then connect the 2 points with a straight line extending it to the edge of the template.
Cut out the template.

Step 2: Choosing Your Tire.

DO NOT use any tire with steel belts( it is extremely hazardous to cut into them).
Spare tires work well as do motorcycle tires.
Spare tires are easy to find at your local salvage yard.
Remove the wheel and the bead.
This can be done by drilling a hole in the side wall( large enough to fit the blade of a jigsaw/sawzall).
Cut the bead from the side wall with a jigsaw.
Next cut the tire, across the tread, into pieces slightly longer than your template.

Step 3: Transfer Template.

First find the center of the tread at both ends of the section and mark.
Second, tranfer those marks to the inside of the tire.
Next, connect the marks with a straight line.

Step 4: Transfer Template. Cont...

Align the centerline of your template with the centerline on the inside of the tire.
Trace the outline of your template.

Step 5: Cut Out Sole.

Using a scroll saw or band saw cut out the outlined sole.

Step 6: Cutting Slots.

Cut the slots for the straps with 1/2in. chisel.
The position of the slots are easily transfered, with the template on top of the sole cut through the template with the chisel to leave a mark on the sole.

Step 7: Straps

Cut 12 straps from a bicycle innertube to 1/2in.x12in.

Step 8: Installing Straps

Insert the straps into the slots with a screwdriver.
Lace straps according to drawing.

Step 9: Adjusting Straps.

The straps will fit tightly in the slots.
To adjust, pull on the strap in both directions( streching it) making it thinner.
It will then be easier to slide in the slot in the desired direction.

Step 10: Securing Straps.

It may not be neccesary, but it is recommended that you secure the straps with Shoegoo.
It will help to have a second set of hands for this operation.
By prying the sole so that the slots open slightly your helper can sqeeze the Shoegoo into the slot.
Once the glue dries you can trim flush any excess strap.