Heel Tip Replacement Disaster -- Heelp!

onyourtoes · 7th December 2007, 23:17

I got some metal heel tips from stiletto-heel-tips.co.uk and was putting them on my 5 1/2" Pleaser Domina 2000 boots.

I did the left one with no problems, but then I was trying to wiggle the right old tip free, it's metal shaft broke off inside the heel.

Is there a way to remove it? Drilling it out seems unlikely, heating the heel to pull out the tube with shaft sounds like another disaster in the making.

I probed the heel with a super magnet and it seems the internal metal tube is a few inches long. Is it hollow? Maybe I can just push the old tip up further. (I just checked the OK heel and the tube is hollow for a distance that should just about accomodate the new tip. Should I try that; if it fails, I'll have moved from a nearly impossible extraction to impossible?

Any tips

will be appreciated.

CassieJ · 7th December 2007, 23:33

Time to take it to a professional before you do irreparable damage.

CJ

admirer5577 · 7th December 2007, 23:38

I drilled mine out when it happened to me and it worked out fine. It was also Pleasers but 5" Oxfords so I guess the construction is similar. Just try to make "center mark" with a proper tool to avoid the drill from flexing all over and eventually breaking the drill.

Or take them to the cobbler. Heel tips I replace myself but soles and "toe points" I leave to the professionals. I was kinda nervous the first time what the guy should think when he saw the sz 14 stiletto boots but never a comment from him. Now we always have a long chat when I am in there but he haven't yet asked me if they are my boots or if I have a GF with very big feet. *S*

Good luck in your work.

lorriette · 8th December 2007, 01:13

For as long as the pin is a little way up the tube, you could try using a self-tapping screw to grip the tube. Carefully pull out the whole tube. and then remove the screw. Tap a masonary nail through the tube to remove remains of pin. Re-insert tube and fit tip as normal.
If pin is broken off flush, I have in the past been able to drive it further into the tube allowing a new pin sufficient room to do its job.
If in doubt, get it done at a good cobblers.

onyourtoes · 8th December 2007, 02:08

Thanks for all the quick help.

To everyone, there is no decent cobbler within 100 miles of here (at least that I've found).

There are 2 within a reasonable drive of me:

#1 has a reputation for taking months sometimes, losing shoes, and poor work;

#2 I went to 3 times. Visit 1 he replaced heel tips and did a great job, second visit he did heels also and after I paid said "Big feet, huh?", undaunted the third time I went in, his daughter came out and tried to diplomatically tell me her old country father wouldn't fix my shoes anymore!

Loriette's suggestion on removing the tube sounds good, I may try it if this happens again. (but the metal tips will probably outlast me)

So, that leads me to admirer5577's suggestion. I do have available to me the means to hold the shoes, center punch, and drill straight. But, I figured, I should be able to drill whether the pin is flush or further in.

I pounded it in and ended up with just enough clear length for the new tip.

Job done successfully, and they sound great! Thank you everyone, emergency ended.

jmc · 8th December 2007, 02:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyourtoes

. . . undaunted the third time I went in, his daughter came out and tried to diplomatically tell me her old country father wouldn't fix my shoes anymore!
. . .

He'd better not complain about his business slowing down if he's chasing customers away!

onyourtoes · 8th December 2007, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmc

He'd better not complain about his business slowing down if he's chasing customers away!

Unfortunately, he's one of 2 shoe repair shops in a 30 mile radius, and the other shop is run by buffoons. I'm sure neither shop is exactly making it in this world of plastics, unit bottoms, and a replace rather than repair society.

I suspect most of his business comes from selling and dyeing wedding shoes since he's located next to a bridal shop that appears to not have shoes.

Does anybody know any good Boston area shoe repair shops, or a place that works by mail?

Guy N. Heels · 12th December 2007, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyourtoes

...Does anybody know any good Boston area shoe repair shops, or a place that works by mail?

No, but I think yer on the right track with the mail-out notion.

Try surfing the web on-line and see what you can find. I'll bet there's somebody around that has a web site.

hoverfly · 12th December 2007, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyourtoes

Unfortunately, he's one of 2 shoe repair shops in a 30 mile radius, and the other shop is run by buffoons. I'm sure neither shop is exactly making it in this world of plastics, unit bottoms, and a replace rather than repair society.

I suspect most of his business comes from selling and dyeing wedding shoes since he's located next to a bridal shop that appears to not have shoes.

Does anybody know any good Boston area shoe repair shops, or a place that works by mail?

There are two shops I know of with in my area. One in Portland Maine hours drive and One in Hampton New Hampshire 15 minute drive.

CassieJ · 13th December 2007, 02:28

Check with Dry Cleaners in your area. Here, they will take shoes to have them retapped. Might even use the guy that refused you in person.

CJ