This shoe board, actually from hearing that I need to start with the bar shoe holds me back from testing for CF. I've been to pre certification clinics, scribed for testers at certifications, have AFA certification videos from convention, read P2 more than once, have Let's Get Practical. I'm ready to get more serious about CF and get my board done. I don't make bar shoes on a regular basis, I've never tried. For the CF shoe board... Should I weld my bar in a keg shoe, get those shoes that have long heels and forge them over and forge weld, or make a bar shoe from scratch? Opinions??

Do it the way that is the easiest for you. I think most people will tell you that they make the barshoe for a front foot first. Then they use that as a pattern for all the other front shoes. Personally, I welded my bar into a keg shoe when I took my test. Be prepared to make another barshoe on site in the same manner as the one made in your shoe display.

All are acceptable methods, but as was mentioned above you need to be prepared to duplicate it if you were to be asked to demo the barshoe on the test site. The great thing about the shoe display is that you have all the time in the world to complete each shoe and make it look good. So start this afternoon and make one and if you're not happy with it, make another. Before long, you will not be so uncomfortable about barshoes. But the worst thing I see, with guys I've helped with the certification, is that they don't start on their shoe display until a few weeks from the test. START NOW! Even if you are planning on taking the test in the summer or fall. Start Now, cut off your computer, go outside, light a fire, build a barshoe, then come back inside, post pictures and get feedback..................... Why are you still sitting here, analyzing what I said, go now, we will be looking for your picture after while.

one advantage we had in the uk apprenticeship system is that we start forging before the official term begins.when we take our diploma exam we have a minimum of 4 years practical experience of shoemaking as well as hands on shoeing and theory work.remember one thing,do not practice until you can do it right,practice until you do not do it wrong. 30 years plus ,im still practicing
chris

Tennessee wrote:AND you will be doing it on the clock.

I used an oxyacetylene torch to weld a bar into a keg shoe for my CF.

OTOH, building hand made shoes is good practice for your journeyman exam and it won't hurt your keg shaping abilities at all.

Start Now, cut off your computer, go outside, light a fire, build a barshoe, then come back inside, post pictures and get feedback..................... Why are you still sitting here, analyzing what I said, go now, we will be looking for your picture after while.
__________________
Phillip Box, Jr., CJF


That's great. I almost cut the computer off and went outside to build a bar shoe.

Gilreath Horseshoeing wrote:
Cody, go out and handmake your barshoe. Once you make a few they get pretty fun to make. Watch Craig's video there is a lot of good tips in there for making a bar shoe.

i have CHRIS GREGORYS AFA Certification DVD Set and i think he makes it very easy to follow and understand..if you are having a hard time making a bar shoe or you just want some pointers on the shoe bored or for that mater the Certification i would invest in this dvd set..

Cody, the examiners that I have tested under will look closer at the fit than anything. I turned in a fullered bar shoe from 5/16by3/4. It dang sure wasn't perfect, but I was able to pass 3 mods off that one shoe. I have seen arc welded bars in keggers pass, but if you turn in a decent forged bar shoe, they will give you a little slack for the effort.

Heres the one I turned in, and there is plenty wrong with it.
http://horseshoes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=329&pictureid=3417

Chad, You have a long way in your work. Very impressive bar shoe.


Cody, The Chris Greggory DVD are very good. He breaks everthing down to easy step by step instructions.

Cody, a perspective from someone who has recently gone through the process:

You've gotten good advice here. Start now. You have unlimited attempts when making your shoes. Then process is more valuable than the result, you'll see. I made a bunch of each shoe in preparing. I ended up with 22 nailable size 1 bar shoes before choosing the best to turn in for the shoe board, about $450 - $500 worth if purchased. Threw dozens away though. It got to be fairly easy. I was worried about the time limit though. I could do it in 1/2 hour, but maybe not perfect every time. So I bought some long heels and practiced making bar shoes out of them just in case they asked me to make a bar shoe at the test, easily done in 1/2 hour. ( They asked me to do a trailer). For the other specimin shoes, I worked hardest ( most attempts ) on a square toe with trailer. Even if you never test, strive for a perfect shoe board and you'll be amazed at how much progress you'll make in your shoemaking and everyday shaping.

Regards,

i have a question..i have been modifying all size one kegs for my shoe bored...is a one the best size to go with?..and as far as a shape should i make my bar shoe and shape all others to it?i know thats how chris does it but i was wanting yalls take on it

I have the Chris Gregory DVD's but I thought that using a Kerckhaert bar shoe blank and turning the heels in and forge welding the bar would be more efficient at my level of bar shoe making.

Gilreath Horseshoeing wrote:
Maybe that is not the name of those shoes... what is the shoe that have long heels that can be turned in as barshoes?

Gilreath Horseshoeing wrote:
The ones I bought were Equines.

Regards,