Youve now got a very functional knife sheath, ready for whatever you can throw at it. I connected them this way because I plan on making knife sheaths. You need a way to heat the kydex to make it floppy.
How to Build a Homemade Kydex Press | Tennessee Gun going to build that tomorrow. Show more Show more Shop the Simple Little Life store But when Im not spending time with my hobby, Im here, writing about Knives and Sharpeners on KnifePulse to share with you what I learn along the way. Ive seen that. It is low cost and easy to learn. boy you made that look easy. To form this stuff, use a paint remover heat gun, around $20. If you do, theres a chance your cut will end up too small.
DIY Primer on How to Get Started Working with KYDEX I'm starting to make my own kydex sheaths but standing on the kydex to form it onto the blade isn't producing the results I want. It's difficult to explain how hard you need to press the Kydex. For making a sheath by using two pieces of KYDEX the process is pretty much the same as above, you just need to be careful during the molding process because the two pieces will want to shift while you are clamping them together. These can be paper, yarn, fabric, and/or materials such as wood or ceramic. Too much sharpening can lead to stuck knives and off cuts. Pinch Forming Press Forming Vacuum Forming Molding Foams New Products For April Thermoform Molding Foam For KYDEX Holster Making - (Xtreme Form) - (8x12x1) $19.95 View Buy Here are the materials youll need: First you will need to make the molding blocks that you will use to form the KYDEX around your knife. The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. Anyway, now that the kydex is nice and malleable, move it to the press the exact same way as before. I will in a few weeks. 1 year ago. Amateur Bladesmith, hobbiest woodworker, and a bloody good cook, Mobile Workshop Sink With Easy DIY Parts Washer. How do you know where to put the eyelets? Voodoo Resins - Handle Scale Set - Absinthe - Luminescent - (6.0 x 2.0 x .250), Elite Survival Systems - Belt Slide Holster - Size 8 - Left Hand. At least until I got enough skill to try more complicated gun holsters. 8-8 Eyelets. Instead, Im going to teach you how to make your very own Kydex sheath. What is a cheap wood vise? But when Im not spending time with my hobby, Im here, writing about Knives and Sharpeners on KnifePulse to share with you what I learn along the way.
Building a Kydex press and making a Kydex Sheath Tutorial DIY Primer on How to Get Started Working with KYDEX - ITS Tactical The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation What to Keep in Your Aid Bag Can a 7-Year-Old Vehicle Bag Stand Up to Texas Heat?
Kydex Rotating Knife Sheath : 17 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables Once this is done, place the wrapped item in the molding press and apply pressure (chain locking optional). I put rubber screw on chair feet to prevent sliding. This to say, the outside of the sheath will have all the curves. This is to show proper assembly. Does it make my butt look big? Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. The finished product!!! Time to mold! Pressing is a great way to make money as a beginner maker. Enough food, back to business. Thanks now I can finish mine! It works, just not that great. Work on one eyelet at a time. This is reasonably low compared to average cooking and is intended to make the Kydex easier to handle sooner post-heating. This rod will be the base of your press.
Easy DIY Vacuum Former : 7 Steps - Instructables Kinda like spagetti, but, you know, not. At this point, yours should still be considerably oversized, like mine is. To begin, start by measuring and cutting your sheet. Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. Then, mark where one side of the press meets one edge of the hollow space to create a guide for removing the press later. Seriously though, kydex is a great choice if youve never made a sheath before because of how easy it is to work with. You'll see our clamps will now be used to apply pressure when using the press. Finally, Find some pressure-relief material such as leather or Kydex coverings and stack them up! Here again, amazon, ebay, etc. For longer knives, add a few more. Thanks for posting. To do this, bore holes around the blade. Not only will this look better, but it will also make your Kydex sheath stronger. Even if you dont have the tools, the other benefit of kydex is just how cheap it is to work with. Our Master Series press also comes with (2) Allen wrenches for making press adjustments and securing set screw in tool holder. The first step is to draw out a line to cut to. Keep the rougher sides on the outside. Its a lot easier than most people think. The order is -. If you have an oven toaster, you can also use this. I voted for you I think. Kydex is especially pliable while heated. Make the mold using the knife and leather, Use your press to make custom kydex sheaths. Dont skip this part, its a lot easier to find out a piece is undersize now, rather than when its hot and floppy. KYDEX is a forgiving material, should you have any screw ups during the molding process you can always reheat and try again. You can buy the presses pre-assembled for a little under $100, or you can do what i did, get some heat-resistant foam and some plywood and make your own. I used a hack saw for this but a band saw would be ideal. Double up a couple layers and glue them to some boards. 9. A good kydex sheath will be every bit as functional as a hand-tooled leather sheath, if not as good looking. General Knife Safety
glad you enjoyed it mate! You can put weights on top to do this, or use clamps to hold it shut. Heat it on high setting moving the heat gun constantly. After that, it should be floppy. Did you make this project? No issues, heat it back up and try again, kydex is awesome like that! Put an eyelet in the second hole, then proceed to drill the rest. This may seem overly generous, but the materials cheap and while you can always cut some off later, you cant add it. I leave it there until it softens enough for me to bend it around.
Holster Making Presses & Forming Supplies | KYDEX Molding Press Chemically formulated for low memory artifacts with durability to last longer. Also the size of the piece your molding will impact on your heat source. You see? However, it is a lot cheaper and easier to make a sheath with. Now to use them. Check that the blade is secure but not overly difficult to remove from the sheath, remember that the sheath will tighten up when you add the rivets. I hope this article is of some help to those who might be interested in making their own KYDEX sheaths. At 320-degrees Fahrenheit, the Kydex will soften and you will be able to work with it effectively. First things first, you need to decide where to put the holes (teehee, puns). 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. It's not about the money, it's about getting the most value from the work I do to improving the life of my family.Some preparedness, DIY, building quality things with your hands, guns, gear, and outdoor exploration. Seal the Kydex. You should make a YouTube video. If you're not careful, you might end up scorching more than just the plastic. *saw/sander/grinder *drill *Kydex sheet *sharpie marker Ask Question Step 2: Preparation. You want the .080 thick stuff, 2. JavaScript is disabled. This time around, im going to show you how to make a basic sheath from a material called kydex, so you actually have a place to store your stabby new toy. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. Takes some time for the kydex to cool, the foam is a good insulator. If you are more advanced, you can switch to using the more advanced presses from above. I have had the wood cut the foam bought and have been going to make one of these for months now but have been kinda stuck on how to put it all togethor. It also comes with a 3-piece hardened ram set that will assist with pin flaring and other shop chores (see image). This is one side repeat for the other side. Aug 30, 2004 #2 chrisse242 Enlightened Joined Dec 12, 2003 Messages 899 Location Germany Having a sheath to hold your knife and keep it safe is a wonderful thing. 3. When it comes to creating custom holsters and sheaths, finding the best foam for your kydex press is essential.
Why DIY Kydex Holsters Don't Work - Rounded by Concealment Express A rubber mallet may also prove useful! If you were to drill all the holes at once, you run the risk of mis-drilling a hole and messing everything up. I see the idea of wood vise. This is a short how to article for anyone interested in working with KYDEX.
Kydex Holster Making Molds | DIY Tactical Gear | Oxcreek Tactical If you are using a smooth, soft leather such as peau dorange, then it is recommended that you choose a texture that has some line-work or lining. You can use any heat source to soften your Kydex sheet. I love the griddle idea. Take your piece of KYDEX and lay it flat on a work bench. So cut two pieces a little bigger than the blade itself. Kydex layer numero dos. At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. The next step is to drill the holes for the rivets and mounting hardware. One hole is quite a bit larger. Once your first layer is completely dry, it is time to add your second one. Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than youll need. The hot glue kept it in place well! Heat Source. Besides a heat source, gloves, and trimming tools, one of the most basic tools to mold Kydex is a press. An avid outdoorsman, shooter, fly fisherman and fellow connoisseur of BOSS Coffee! Make sure you add some space for the eyelets as well. 8. The Aluminum is acting as a skeleton and giving structural support. Make sure to get the 8-8 eyelets, as those are just the right length for a double layer of .080 kydex, 3. There are many ways to use the press, and only a little woodworking experience is needed to make one yourself. First, cut a small piece of leather about one inch long and about half an inch wide. The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. What I do is cut two pieces of Kydex sheet, then attach them together to form the sheath. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'knifepulse_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_15',172,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');The concept is the same for whatever you have. 8 Steps. Now you have the location for 2 holes in the right general place. 2.0 1" neoprene foam 11.5 x 11.5 usaknifemaker.com. Step 1: Cut the Kydex Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than you'll need. Simply glue the two pieces of sheath making foam to the two pieces of plywood, allow to dry and there you have it. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press . This will morph the flat sheets into the shape of the knife. With bare hands, it could be too hot to handle. Using one piece wrapped around the blade is the easiest way to go and it creates a more narrow, lower profile sheath. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. Moving up to a 10 inch blade doesn't really require extra materials, just a little extra work, 2) Sitting on it would work, if you had 10 or 15 minutes to kill. Put the eyelets too far down the blade and the knife falls right out, put them too far up the handle and youll never get the knife out. Information on news, history and events both inside ITS and throughout the world. Using a knife is the best method for making a kydex press. Now, technically, if you work the saw right, this is your last step. You dont need a lot in the way of specialized tools, odds are you already have most of what you need laying around the house. I've considered doing videos, but unfortunately my recording equipment (read that as phone) isn't up to par, maybe in the future though! The Kydex can be placed either directly on the rack or on a cookie sheet if you prefer. The color and texture. Now, with the exception of the first 2 by the throat, the eyelet position really doesnt matter, just make it look good. 6. Now, mark out the spots for the rest of the eyelets. For one, every knife needs a sheath. (no stitching required, I suck at that.) Now that you have the locations marked, time to make some holes.
Personally, i wanted a smoother look, so i turned to my 2x72 belt grinder and refined the shape a little. Im sure most of the people here know of KYDEX and many of you probably own a KYDEX sheath or holster that was either sold with a blade or purchased for a hand gun. The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation. I bet that works great! This only takes 30 seconds. You can find this stuff on amazon, ebay, knifemaking supply places, even tandy leather has it. I was not real sure about the hinge part but that is a simple awesome way. Its cheap, rugged, non-marring of your guns finish, moldable for good retention, smooth for a consistent draw, and does not react to normal temperatures or gun solvents or oils. Press the Kydex. 2009-2023 ITS Tactical // Imminent Threat Solutions. To start, you can preheat your oven to between 200-250 degrees. So, what do we need for this, youre probably asking. Since the padding touching the hot kydex has "give", you want as large a surface area of pressure that you can get so that you have as much force against the entire area of the sheath without crushing anything. When you press the tip of the knife into the kydex, it should be grinded to a point. Aspiring chefs who are getting around to learning more about Japanese knives will appreciate how they can improve your overall culinary skills. Use your heat gun to heat the KYDEX until it becomes pliable. If I was making a press for larger items like gun holsters I would make modifications. Ditto with the eyelets. Its possible the reason your moulds were not coming out well is that you waited a little too long and it wasn't flexible enough. Disclaimer As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The order is - 1. To use this tool, simply heat your thermoplastic material to 300-375 degrees (depending on heating time and oven used). See more ideas about kydex, holster, kydex holster. It consists of a hard, disk-like material that you place inside your hand and where the pressure is applied against. Learn more about joining our Community as a Crew Leader. Then, using the knife, spread the leather slightly apart and down until you have created a hollow space where your mold will go. The secret is to heat it up first. Don't worry these are 3" screws I later went back and put in 2 1/2" screws and the no longer stick out. Attach the leather 7. Knife. Many people make their presses by buying one at a gun store or hunting supply store, but you can also find them online. If you want you can substitute the Aluminum for another sheet of plywood 3/4". As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee nuts and screwed the pieces together tightly. Step 1 Heat the Kydex. The lid is clamped shut and the vacuum turned on. Now that youve got that line laid out, cut to it. I made my own press out of a few hunks of 3/4" plywood ,I purchased a couple of big hinges I attached the hinges to one end and I use a fast close clamp for woodworking. It is a hard material, one that you cant bend easily. You need something to cut the kydex. 6 years ago, 1) Probably. Share it with us! Cut the belt slots My personal experience working with KYDEX is somewhat limited and there may be others here with more experience and knowledge on the subject, so feel free to add your thoughts. Pinch Forming Press Forming Vacuum Forming Molding Foams New Products For April Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Xtreme Form) - (8x12x1.5) $29.95 View Buy Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. If you want to experiment with kydex you need a kydex press like all my projects, I wanted something cheap and simple to test out before I invested in quality tools this posts kydex press is just such a tool.