How to properly remove tongues from skates?

[mxihockey 0]

I bought the Supreme White felt tongues from East west because the tongues on my vapor xxx's were in bad shape. I have a couple of places around me that can install them but they charge a ton. However there is a shoe repair store in my town that will do it much cheaper. I brought in my skates and told the guy exactly what I wanted done. (remove the current tongues and install the ones I bought). Only problem was he didn't speak very good english and didn't quite understand me. He goes"I put tongue over current tongue and you have extra support eh ;)". After about 5 minutes of talking he still didn't understand..

So, I would like to take my tongues out on my own so that I can slip the new ones in and show him exactly what I want done and where I want him to stitch. I took a seam ripper and tore out the thread that is on top of the toe cap near where the tongue meets the toe cap. I thought that this is what was holding the tongue to the skate but I guess not? The tongue wont budge even with the thread ripped... How do I get these things out?!

Thanks in advance!

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

It's the one underneath the cap.

[mxihockey 0]

Like way underneath to the point where I can't see it? I hope that doesn't mean I ruined my toe caps by undoing the top one..

Thanks JR

[mxihockey 0]

Ok, I got the tongues off. Found the seem and they came out easily. Now there is some more trouble! How do I get these puppies in? It seems like they're to thick to get the end under the nylon material but over the toe cap in order to be sewed in. Any tips? Thanks

[ktang 34]

When I did this once, I sewed the tongue to a small piece of leather (as wide as the tongue), and then the leather tab was sewn into the toecap. I used a sewing machine needle so that:

(i) I could make loop stitches (they last longer for me);

(ii) It was easier to go through the existing holes in the toe cap; and

(iii) I didn't have to sew "up" from inside the skate.

Looking back, maybe what I should have done was sew the tab (doesn't have to be leather) into the skate's toecap first, and then sew the tongue to the tab.

The other times, the replacement tongues fit and I didn't have to sew in the tab.

[xdcx 0]

I have the same white felt tongues, I bought them from EWH but they have now been laying in my room for about 2 months because I visited and called about 6 shoe repair stores around here and they all said they cannot stitch into the toe cap. So I have no way of getting them on. I am to scared to do it myself incase I ruin my skates. :(

[mxihockey 0]

I'm pretty sure you don't actually sew into the toe cap. There is about a half inch of material where you sew the tongues too at the end of the toe cap. However when I pulled the old tongues out it seemed like a part of them was glued under the fabric but over the plastic. My problem is I can't get any felt to go under the slit and over the plastic..

[cbart 1]

I ran into a similiar problem with a pair of Eastons...the guy told me he couldn't sew into the toecap, so he just left a little bit of the old tongue still attached and simply sewed the new tongues on that little piece. Worked perfectly!

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

If you seamrip them out you can resew in the existing holes.

[mxihockey 0]

Ok, I made this awful diagram of what I'm trying to explain using paint. :lol:

What I'm wondering is if I need to get the tongue all the way up and sqeezed in between the actual toe cap and the material over it. Or should I just stitch from the very end of the tongue following the holes? Thanks!

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Set it up the same way the old ones were in.

[Fletch 219]

JR, can the tongues be replaced on the One95? The "flap" is plastic and I was wondering if it could be done.

[Fletch 219]

LOL....I just called him. Taking them in tomorrow. Thanks for the offer though ;)

[cbart 1]

Yes.

All you guys in this thread are making this FAR more difficult than it needs to be! LOL

Fletch, take your skates to Leon, he can do them, or, if you trust me (and if I have time), I will do them (I'll try not to f**k up your skates!). I have wax thread and curved needles here at the house. My dad used to be a TV repair man, so, I inherited his ultimate set of tools... ;)

"You can't fix that car Spicoli!"