Ok we have beat the death out of toe clips and I am not sure if anything has been proven (other than that smitty can make one look right) but one thing I see is that most of the toe clips are better forged and fit than most of the side/quarter clips, that I see. This thread is to discuss the difference in hand drawn v.s. machine made clips and also clip fit and finish.

Which is better, "well" drawn hand clip, or machine clip?

How should a clip fit?

How do you achieve a "proper" clip fit?

Pictures would be great, I will try to post some of the feet I clip also

The first key to good clip fit for me is proper hoof prep. No flares, the wall mirrors the inside border of the whiteline. Second the radius on a front or the 'V' on a hind of the toe match the foot to be fit. Thirdly the clip is evenly worked into the web of the shoe. Fouth the clip is angled at the angle of the wall BEFORE going to the foot. I'll go with a dark heat, slide it on, push down and pull back for a one count. I'll then cut out the burned area and only the burned area at the angle of the wall. Then slide it on, push down pull back and blow! The count varies depending on how much foot I left. On a toe clip I'll slide my finger over the clip while its burning... when I can't feel it its in the notch.
Cold fitting ALi or a shoe with a pad is exactly the same except I mark with a sharpie and use a four way file to notch out inside the lines of the sharpie. Again, file at the angle of the wall.
Heres a cold fit clip on a run away foot... but the clip fit is good!;)

Here is a 1/4 clip fit on a hind. I prefer drawn clips... I can fit them better except for the bobpunched clips on the crothers concave... they fit alot like my bob punched clips.

so in closing prepare everything well, work the clip in, angle it at the angle of the wall, scorch the notch, cut it at the angle of the wall, push down, pull back, and BLOW!

and a cold fit toe clip

Heres an exact fit rockered toed side clip on a shoe plucking pasture horse. Depending on the toe fit I want I may not notch as deep on side clipped shoes---with the rocker if I cut to much out in the notch it pulls back to far instead of burning in.
Jason

Prety work Jason. I appreciate you sharing youre knowledge. It is very educational.

Jason Maki wrote:
if i have to fit clips cold i rasp a small clip shaped triangle to the hoof, and set it there. that looks good. i like your work.

I appreciate the thought, maybe someday I'll have half of this figured out! The whole clip fitting sequence is quoted verbatum from my mentor... I had it ground against my thick skull untill it broke into small enough particles to leach in! I'm just passing on what was given to me. Though the bit about half notching on sideclips is a cheat I developed to overcome a problem I found. I'm sure someone else has a better solution.
Jason

Awsome, this is why I come back to these forums, very informative, Thanks Jason!
Do you use any of the machine made clip like kerckhaert?
If so how do you prep them or do you?

3-MILE FARRIER SERVICE wrote:
With kerckheart kegs. It depends on the thickness of the wall. I want the nailholes over the white line. Since nail depth is predetermined in keg shoes. The clip may or maynot be set at the angle of the wall.

Only every now and then... I bought a box of Df's once and still have some...I struggle getting a good fit with them. I think I instinctivly work them into the web when they are already worked in and only need angled to the wall. Heres a decent toe clip fit on a concave straightbar
Jason

and a lat view

Jason Maki wrote:
every day i see that i understand so little of mechanics. that´s depressing in a way. you and i just have to try to do the best we can everyday. all the best to you. you´re a good guy.

redburnshoe, what is a CEF?:confused: