Rim Pad Rivet Question

[SlowShoe]

I've been shoing for a year and a half now, but I have not done any winter shoing. I picked up some rim pads the other day, and was talking to another farrier at the shop about how to rivit the heels of the pad. I didnt really catch what he was saying completly. He was talking about useing roofing nails to rivet the pad to the shoe, he left out a few details. Which size nail/drill bit should be used? I didnt exactly understand which way the nail should enter the shoe. From the ground side, or the top side? How should it be cut? Should it enter a bit of the hoof also? Leave the flat head of the nail on or cut it off? Before or after you put it in? I really dont know the process for this.

Any insite would be great?

Thanks
-Josh

[Phil Armitage]

Hi Josh, I do not rivet all my pads. It depends on how it fits the shoe. I start by cutting the center of the pad in the toe to the rim, so that it is more flexable if it needs to open. Have you noticed how the pads wants to pop away from the shoe in the toe as you try to fit it? Sometimes you need to cut a little wedge shape space if the shoe is small and narrow so that it can close up if needed. To rivet the heels, use either copper rivets or roofing nails, use a drill bit the same size as the rivet. I think roofing nails are 1/8". The head of the rivet goes against the pad, this is what holds the pad on, the tip of the rivet goes through the hole you drilled in the shoe cut off the tip with your shoe pullers, leave about an 1/8" so you can hammer it down to secure the rivet to the shoe. Tips on trimming the rim pads to the shoe. use tin snips or heavy duty type scissors that cut plastic or rubber real good. You want to cut the heel of the pads at an angle that flows with the bars, so that there is room to use a hoof pick to clean the foot takes practice but you will get the idea. Then trim the excess around the shoe. If you are using clips, place your pad into the shoe where you want it, then make a snip about 1/8' deep on either side of the clips and then cut the little piece out in the area of the clips so your pad fits between the clips properly. Hope this helps, maybe I can make up a pair and post a picture for you of what mine look like. The reason I do not rivet all my pads, is becuase it tears the pads up in the heel between resets, it is better to leave them alone if the fit the shoe nicely, so they will last all winter save cost.

[SlowShoe]

Phil,
Thanks so much for the detailed description. If I dont rivet them in at the heels, wont they have the tendancy to suck in at the heels/bar area?

Also I read that you should use rubber cement to attach it to the shoe before nailing so it does not move... have you done this?

Thanks,
Josh

[Double C Forge]

Great explanation Phil. Almost makes me want to go out and put some on right now........lol..

Phil,
If I dont rivet them in at the heels, wont they have the tendancy to suck in at the heels/bar area?

Not if the pad fits properly, it will stay in place w/out anything on it under most normal conditions.


Also I read that you should use rubber cement to attach it to the shoe before nailing so it does not move... have you done this?

You don't want to glue it on, if you do it will make it very tough to reshape the shoe for a reset and probaly get damaged.

Chris