Need Advice From Those Knowledgeable In Heat-moldable Material And Boot-punching

[Iron Mike 1]

My questions concern 1) how the heat-moldable material reacts to different punching techniques (Graf's specifically) and 2) some specific questions about which boot punching techniques are best for my project. I ask a lot of questions so feel free to pick and choose.

Some background: I'm punching the ankles out on my boots using Edge Specialties Boot Puncher (http://www.pro-filer.com/bootpunch/) and a heat gun. They are Graf Ultra G35s, and the hollows for the ankle bones are rigid, pronounced, and 1/4" and 3/4" two high and forward -- the damage done to my ankle bones makes it so I can't stop or turn hard, so significant changes need to be made. I basically have to make new ankle hollows.

1. How should I clamp Each spot?

- some sources said 20 minutes, others suggested 12 hours (heat stays in the material a while)

- If it's an area that is stretching a lot, does it need extra clamp time?

2. Can using cold temperatures after punching help a punch set better/longer?

- if I punch the boot, then throw it in the freezer, might eliminating the heat from the boot keep it from

going back to the old shape?

3. Would using cold temperatures like this shock the material and damage it/ make it weaker?

- please only answer this one if you know what you're talking about

4. Since I might have to make a lot of punches, I might have to resort to punching without using heat because applying heat could undo previous changes right?

5. I've heard unheated punching can damage the boot (maybe b/c the material was only meant to change shape under heat), is this true? is the damage significant?

6. I get lot of pain on under the ankle bone so I want to punch that out significantly.
If I punch out a lot from under the ankle bone (possibly creating negative space below my ankle bone) could I lower the responsiveness of my boot? Or, does the responsiveness totally come from the heel pushing the back of the skate?

7. Since the original hollow is off significantly is creates negative space above my inside ankle bones, is this negative space affecting anything and should I change it?

[guitarfreek92 7]

First question if your having so many issues did they start from the beginning? which leads to why did you choose these skates? and if creating new spaces leave them for about 10-12 hours then re-bake your skates once you've completed your punching. then as far as the cold its better to let them sit naturally instead of trying to rush the process. and yes when doing this amount of punching do not heat up but do not punch huge holes all at once do it gradually. this will help it stay in place.

[Iron Mike 1]

For the most part they started from the beginning. They gradually bruised my ankle bones to the point where it was unbearable.

You said I should rebake them after I punch out the new area. I have heard that the boot will begin to return to its original form under heat. In this case, I would think I should not rebake them. Correct?

The remaining question: does punching without heat cause significant damage to the boot material? Maybe b/c the material is only meant to change shape under heat...

Thanks for the advice!

First question if your having so many issues did they start from the beginning? which leads to why did you choose these skates?

I researched the Graf fits intensively and the g35s were the perfect fit in terms of instep, heel width, forefoot width, etc (these are the fit factors they list; not ankle alignment with the ankle hollow which is my problem). I tried them on in the store for 30 minutes and they felt great. Once I started skating on them, the ankle misalignment came into play when I started skating and turning hard. Since I got them on clearance, I was not able to return them.

[guitarfreek92 7]

the rebaking after punching out will all for the boot to remold to your foot with the newly created space. didnt you notice the misplacement in the store?

[Iron Mike 1]

Obviously not lol. When researching, ankle alignment is not something people mentioned as a problem, so I wasn't think about it. Nor was it mentioned as an aspect of proper fit, Graf being no exception. It was a combo of 1) the G3s have the most rigid ankle hollows out there and 2) my ankles bones are abnormally forward and low.

I also think rebaking would undo the changes (to some extent) I make, and thusfar baking (even under higher temps) has not helped the ankle form to my ankle.