Mik 2026 Todd Haskins

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

This whimsy AWNUTS theme is keeping me up at night.
I had an idea but then that fell flat due to the cost of used boots so then I was thinking, maybe I could build a Smurf playground on a flat car but how to make the mushrooms? I then saw these LL Bean boots on Ebay for a decent price, I put them on my watchlist and in a short time I was offered a deal at $17.97 cool but the best part was they were located a few towns over from me so I could pick them up and save on shipping. Now to try and figure out a plan on just what I will do.

The napkin sketch will soon take shape.

In this photo some of the crew is checking out the boots.

[David_Marconi_FOGCH (David Marconi CHHNNG)]

A railcar Shoedominium.
Haines had an idea
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gps-cs-s/AG0ilSzv86tYUGWCn-2Y6Y3XnhuSZvs8q0Xo2X1FPzOkXzPD4aifqA8Yn488SVmAz3lvdc1qXmvk_agToRd2eAPd1kD4WUdoREOdLmM_N1Cwt6dHHRclxween9vfIwsvHOI3w-Ml7W9i6URxtt2m=s1360-w1360-h1020-rw

[Todd_Brody]

Obviously “Boot Hill”

[Cliff_Jennings]

Very cool, Todd. But I have to ask, do you have a Goodwill or other thrift store nearby? Or did you try those already?

[Rooster]

Shouldn’t this be moved to the Mik challenge thread not general discussion?

[Turbo4whl (Wayne Powell)]

Back in the 1950’s early 60’s, 69th street in Upper Darby, there was a giant boot slide.

A couple blocks away from the 69th Street terminal.

1920’s

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

I agree Rooster. Maybe Bob could move it for me?

Update: I think I was able to move it on my own by editing and changing the forum??

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

Giant shoes used to be a thing. They were slides or made to advertise a business or maybe made into a house.? There was once an old Smurfette that lived in a shoe, she had so many baby Smurfs she didn’t know what to do…

My idea is a bit different.

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

About a month ago I bought a RC Peanut Mobile with the idea of turning it into a powered whimsical thing to run down the tracks similar to the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile that has been seen on many a layout.
I have been trying to figure out how to power this peanut for the track and haven’t come up with a good plan.

When the theme for the 2026 Mik Build Challenge was posted my thoughts turned to another type of goofy whimsical “mobile” that a well known company built and still uses to promote. I have seen it twice on New England roads and it sure is goofy.
As I wrote above my search for a LL Bean boot turned up many that would have burst the budget and I didn’t want to spend that much money for something that was going to be cut up. I then thought to make a boot from stacked foam and carve it down and paint but then thought starting with a real one would be easier so it was back to the online search. I lucked out and found a pair for under $18 and they were local so Free to pickup. If I use just the one and not the other to make a “caboose” or a “caboot” it will be just $9 towards the total.

My plan for the 2026 Mik is to build a rail ready LL Bean Bootmobile!

Here is the inspiration.

I don’t think I will do road tires and then have to work round them but maybe. I plan to cut out a section to place a motor block underneath. I’m not sure what I will use to create the cab over the real boot. I have a block of sculpy clay and I could use that but it has to be cooked. Any ideas?

I’m also thinking working headlights and taillights maybe a cow catcher? Time will tell.

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

Todd;

Perhaps for the “Peanut-mobile” you could use a sturdy motor driving an O ring wrapped around an axle (same fashion as the early Athearn HO locomotive drives - & even the more recent RDC drives). You could decide whether to use track power or battery (but batteries could help add tractive weight to the wheels).

Have fun, David Meashey

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

It’s funny you should mention that Dave. I tried doing just that with an O ring to a pulley on the axle and down to another pulley on a train wheel axle but I used the motor that came with the peanut mobile and it lacked the torque to get it moving.

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

The How To, get this to work has left me thinking and planning far too much but finally I had to dive right in and get cutting.
I used my multitool to carve out a space for the motor block to go. I want this Bootmobile to sit nice and low on the track. Now I’m working out how to firmly attach it to the boot but not so firmly if it has to come out again.

It is sitting on the track pretty good.

I didn’t know they made this until I went searching for different types of clay. It is air hardening clay from NARA. I found a small block of it at Hobby Lobby for $3.49 . I tried it out and a thin piece will dry in about 24 hours. I made a small 1/2 " cube and that is still not hardened after 2 days so whatever I use on the boot will have to be thin. The plan is to heat and bend a piece of plexi to make a windshield and then use the clay to mold it into the boot to form the cab.

It sure is slow going when you enter the realm of, it hasn’t been done.

[Todd_Brody]

" Now I’m working out how to firmly attach it to the boot but not so firmly if it has to come out again."

I was wondering this with the deck/chassis for the Dog Park and decided that I will probably just put a “hook” on each side, on each end, underneath, and just use a rubber band from side to side going under the chassis.

You could do something like this.

[Hines (Bill)]

It’s nice to watch this soleful Mik Build evolve step by step. You certainly are a shoe-in for the finals.

Will you be using the other shoe for a caboose and will you be putting your best foot forward?

[Cliff_Jennings]

Ouch!

---

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

You are too much Bill
I am thinking about turning the other boot into a caboose or should it be called a caboot?

I’m actually kind of struggling with this build. There seems to be a hitch in my step.

[Dave_Meashey (David Meashey)]

Todd;

I suppose the nursery rhyme should now read:
There was a hogger’s widow who highballed in a shoe,
She had so many children on board,
She hardly knew what to do!

Keep on trackin’, David Meashey

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

Progress continues on the Boot.

I was struggling in deciding how to attach the motor block to the boot and I came up with making a metal bracket. the rear will be bolted through the heel and the front will be screwed into the sole making nice and solid but still removable.

I’m still thinking about the cab and used a piece of thin plexi to make a windshield. I used a piece of postcard paper to make a pattern, cut it out on the plexi, found a can that was close to the curve of the boot, clamped one side to the can and used a heat gun to bend.

The plan is to attach the windshield and the side glass to the boot and then build up around the pieces with the air dry clay.

I drilled holes in the back of the boot and put LED lights in. For the front I wanted headlight housings but how to make them? I thought of using a pipe, hose or even a straw but didn’t have anything that would accept the big 5mm LED bulbs. I then thought of using electric wing nuts. I carefully drilled one out starting small and working up to the size required. Drilling a big hole in the rubber boot is not easy so then a lightbulb went off and instead of drilling I would melt a hole using an old solder gun with a round tip. Note to self, don’t do that again indoors, melting rubber STINKS!

I will paint the inside of the nut silver, hot glue the LED in with a dab and then press the assembly into the melted hole. Paint for the exposed edges will come later.

[capecodtodd (Todd Haskins)]

Progress is being made but slowly. The air dry clay is kinda neat but it takes time for it to dry so the next layer can be put on.
I’m thinking about some type of cow catcher for the front and back and a platform inside the boot for riders to sit in.
Now comes a tough part, matching the paint to the upper and lower part of the boot.

[Jalicunning (Jim Cunningham)]

Perhaps a shoehorn would be appropriate for a starting point as a cowcatcher? Looking great! An arch support section for the riders would really give this build some sole