The materials are pretty simple for this kydex press. We carry a full line of KYDEX presses and vacuum forming systems. And it isnt easy to buy a sheath that fits either since every blade is different. Especially on a behind-the-back sheath, it's a good idea to have wider lips because you can't see to sheath. The important thing to note here is that where you put the 2 fasteners closest to the throat, where you insert the knife, changes how well the sheath will retain said knife. Move quick, if you let the kydex cool too much it wont form like it should. Cutting tool (not pictured). Our KYDEX press foams are used in every level of holster making, from professional kydex presses all the the way to DIY kydex presses, and even homemade kydex press designs. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. (no stitching required, I suck at that.) Editor-in-Chiefs Note:Please join us in welcoming Justin Spindler as a contributing author on ITS Tactical! Because i said so. The Aluminum is acting as a skeleton and giving structural support. So, what do we need for this, youre probably asking. Kydex needs to be heated up before it becomes pliable enough to shape and mold. Either way, they must be the same length! Kydex layer numero dos. JavaScript is disabled. Just simply slide your foam in between the top and bottom and your done! Anyway, move over to your toaster oven and set it to 250 degrees, then pop both kydex pieces in for about 10 minutes. Book could work, if you have a lot of them. I got mine from Tandy Leather. Aug 20, 2018 - Explore Arcturus Enterprises's board "Kydex press & Holster Making" on Pinterest. Then, using the knife, spread the leather slightly apart and down until you have created a hollow space where your mold will go. You need to be quick and precise when placing the pistol, Kydex, and spacer into the mold, it might take some experimenting, and don't be afraid to re-heat the Kydex in the oven if you didn't get it right the first time. Hybrid Holster Making Kit w/Cowhide Leather Backer - (KYDEX) - (Black) - (Medium) - (RH), QLH - Holster Molding Prop - for Glock 19/23/32 (Butterfly). 4. When it comes to creating custom holsters and sheaths, finding the best foam for your kydex press is essential. The heated Kydex is wrapped around whatever it will sheathe, and then sandwiched between the two pieces and then clamped or weighted heavily until the plastic cools. 2) Can I sit/push down, or set books on top of the foam setup, instead of clamping it while it cools? Step 1: Cut the Kydex Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than you'll need. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! Sharpie, preferably red. or do you have a kydex stater kit.. Step 1: Tools and Materials. Standing head and shoulders above all Im James, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. 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. Insert an eyelet in that hole, secure it (the eyelet setting tool should com with instructions, if not Tandy has an excellent video) then drill a second hole. It's what you use under your sleeping bag. Here are the parts needed. That is no surprise when you look at the benefits of Kydex. Now, use your cutting implement of choice and cut along that line you traced. I used my bandsaw to make short work of it, here again a coping saw would do. Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. Official Simple Little Life video of a simple DIY Kydex Press. Im Ahmed, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. I wouldnt say that Kydex is better than leather. You could substitute rivets if you like, i like eyelets because they allow easy attachment of belt clips, lanyards, etc. I used a hack saw for this but a band saw would be ideal. You can put weights on top to do this, or use clamps to hold it shut. Hole-making device. Its a lot easier than most people think. A rubber mallet may also prove useful! Place your Kydex sheets in at 250 degrees for ten minutes. When it comes to multi-tools there are only two brands to seriously consider the Swiss Army knife (the original multi-tool) and the tools from Leatherman. Rounded over the corners, beveled the edges, got rid of anything that could snag, made sure the knife slid securely. You can get a short length of steel rod, or you can buy extra long ones to make more presses. Dont skip this part, its a lot easier to find out a piece is undersize now, rather than when its hot and floppy. I leave it there until it softens enough for me to bend it around. I should mention here, if you dont have my patented Heat-Proof Hands, wear some thin cotton gloves to protect yourself. Molding the belt clip is simple. What im planning on doing is the following: the problem you may have with putting weight on the mould, or that I've had using clamps is that you only have several seconds before the kydex cools to the point which it will not form well. One hole is quite a bit larger. Oh My Hell!!!!!! A hand drill would work just as well. What I do is cut two pieces of Kydex sheet, then attach them together to form the sheath. During the molding process, you'll use your hands and fingers to manipulate the hot Kydex. Im working off a smaller scrap of kydex here, but odds are, youll be starting with a full sheet, so the first step is to cut what you need. The right foam will be durable enough to withstand the pressure of the press, as well as flexible enough to mold to the shape of your project. Luckily, we have a few tips to make your second press perfect! 7. All Rights Reserved. When the KYDEX is sufficiently pliable, lay your knife on the surface with the spine of the blade in the center then fold the KYDEX over the blade. In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. I really recommend this one in particular, it works better than the others ive tried, 4. Once you open your Kydex press, youll find that the Kydex has shapeshifted into a sheath. Please do not put any dangerous materials in your Kydex due to the risk of fire or burn formation. A Kydex press normally costs from $80 to $180 depending on size, but it is a simple tool that I decided to make one myself. Not too shabby, eh? At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. Does it make my butt look big? Again, making a Kydex sheath is a lot easier than you may think. You must log in or register to reply here. Yeah, I know! They offer KYDEX in various colors and thicknesses. If not, leave it in there longer. A little heat on the sheath lips after the sheath is assembled will allow you to open them slightly to make inserting the knife a little easier. *razor knife *oven/heat gun *foam padding (medium stiff) *large, flat, stiff object (book, board, etc.) Thanks Tracy for the tutorial. Color wise, there are some colors that do not work with each other. You must log in or register to reply here. Here are the parts needed. Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. I voted for you I think. JavaScript is disabled. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. This prevents large pieces of kydex from being pressed down and preventing a sharp knife hole through the material. First, cut a small piece of leather about one inch long and about half an inch wide. Here is the bottom. Built your press, and bought a griddle. All of my measurements are precise and designed to fit your Peerless Chain, Peerless 801 Hinge, ASP Hinged, or Smith & Wesson chain cuffs perfectly. With a recent purchase of a little piece of the Alberta prairie, we're looking to sell our nice suburban home in search of a more meaningful life beyond chasing the \"American dream\" working for some big company and making someone else rich. Whaddup denizens of the internet, its ya boy guz- wait, wrong intro. Kydex is especially pliable while heated. Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than youll need. Being a carry permit holder I have a thing for gun holsters, being a big guy, I spend a lot of time baking sure that my holsters are comfortable and work well with the clothing I wear. Kydex Press. To do this, bore holes around the blade. Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. Now to use them. Seriously, youre done. Our KYDEX press foams are used in every level of holster making, from professional kydex presses all the the way to DIY kydex presses, and even homemade kydex press designs. 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. This only takes 30 seconds. Specifications Master Series Flaring Press 22 LBS Pre-Tapped Set Screw = Yes (for holding top die) Step 1: Heat the Kydex Until It Has the Consistency of Wet Leather, the Griddle Does a Great Job of Heating the Kydex Evenly. Be careful if you do, too much force on the buff will melt the kydex. It's difficult to explain how hard you need to press the Kydex. Using one piece wrapped around the blade is the easiest way to go and it creates a more narrow, lower profile sheath. The flaring dies and sheath making foam can be found at knifekits.com, but all other tools (and hardware below) can be found at a hardware store. It's a vice with jaws that are padded in order to hold lumber without denting it. If I was making a press for larger items like gun holsters I would make modifications. With those 5 easy steps, you can make your very own Kydex sheath. 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. Now, with the exception of the first 2 by the throat, the eyelet position really doesnt matter, just make it look good. The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. I also countersunk the screw heads so they are flush with the plywood. A kydex press is a great way to make some extra money as a skilled make-yourselfkydex sheaths. You can use any heat source to soften your Kydex sheet. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. Seriously though, kydex is a great choice if youve never made a sheath before because of how easy it is to work with. If you have to use an edge, make sure it is a sharp one! Make sure you can center the knife in the piece of kydex, with a generous border around it as shown in the pictures. The heated Kydex is wrapped around whatever it will sheathe, and then sandwiched between the two pieces and then clamped or weighted heavily until the plastic cools. Scribe a line around the outline of the knife, with about a 1/4" offset, like the picture. 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. I apologize for the poor video quality, this was done with m. There are many ways to use the press, and only a little woodworking experience is needed to make one yourself. After some web searching I came across www.knifekits.com. So, why kydex? The suction will force the material to mold itself around the gun mold. With a utility knife and straight edge (two tools that I forgot to mention above), score the KYDEX and snap it off. If you don't have any, Harbor Freight is an excellent source, 3 inch C clamps are only a few bucks and are extremely useful, Sorry, that should read "doesn't require buying extra materials than what's listed". Now you need to decide if you want to make your sheath from two pieces of KYDEX (a front and back) or from one piece wrapped around the blade. 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. Voting on the iOS app is a little weird. Also, before you press, make sure the shiny sides of your Kydex sheets are on the inside of the sandwich. 3. I chose to go with about a 1" spacing along that guideline. Put an eyelet in the second hole, then proceed to drill the rest. Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. Im using a bandsaw, but for those of us who are power-tool challenged, a coping saw would work just as well. This is one side repeat for the other side. I use a $20 Walmart griddle to heat the kydex, its easy and cheap. Equipment you need for wherever your adventures in life take you. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'knifepulse_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-medrectangle-4-0');But theres no need to worry. It also comes with a 3-piece hardened ram set that will assist with pin flaring and other shop chores (see image). What the devil is that?!" Attach these boards to a cheap wood vise and you have your Kydex press for under $30. But for those who are unsure about which knife will be Swiss Army Vs Leatherman: 6 Astonishing Differences. 8-8 Eyelets. Place your leather in the hollow space and wrap it securely in place with more leather. 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. As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee . Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives. Experiment. I want the special protective taped index finger and thumb vent kind . This process can take a few moments or days, depending on how much you update your creation. You'll see our clamps will now be used to apply pressure when using the press. That way, you can stop walking around with it in your hands constantly, you creep. For this I used a belt sander, it removes the burs and can be used for final shaping of the KYDEX. The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. 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. If you stop here, youll have quite an ugly sheath. They also supply tools, instructional books and all the hardware needed to complete just about any KYDEX related DIY project. But before you do this, make sure you tape your blade with masking tape first. The pressing force is created by the two press wings and fixed in position by an optional 12 . 1 year ago. Make sure you can center the knife in the piece of kydex, with a generous border around it as shown in the pictures. I was not real sure about the hinge part but that is a simple awesome way. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! How do you know where to put the eyelets? Made right, your knife press will feel like a butter knife in your hand. I see the idea of wood vise. Use a couple squeezy clamps to hold the 2 halves together, then move them to different spots on the sheath until you find the ideal point for blade retention. Assuming both halfs of your sheath look good, lets get them stuck together! Now, mark out the spots for the rest of the eyelets. Contrast this to a 'taco" style sheath, which is made like a taco. Aug 30, 2004 #2 chrisse242 Enlightened Joined Dec 12, 2003 Messages 899 Location Germany It is a hard material, one that you cant bend easily. It could affect the molding of the kydex. Im using a drill press because, hey, burn em if youve got em. If you're not careful, you might end up scorching more than just the plastic.
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