You do not need special presses or machines to press your material. Now that you have 1 side drilled, use some squeezy clamps to clamp the 2 halves together with the knife inserted, to keep everything lined up. Yours doesnt look that way, did the kydex not properly take the shape of the knife? Rough-cut the leather 6. Cutting tool (not pictured). Knife. or do you have a kydex stater kit.. After about ten minutes you can remove the sheath from the mold. Shop the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment and hard to find tactical gear. I wouldnt say that Kydex is better than leather. Now, you should have one bun for the proverbial hamburger. Kydex does not have a memory, so that once it has cooled; it retains the shape it was molded to fit. To make a holster the Kydex will be heated to 350 degrees and then the gun mold will be placed on the vacuum table and the Kydex placed over it. Simple DIY Kydex Press - YouTube Making a $21 Kydex Press (And my first kydex sheath) - YouTube So, what do we need for this, youre probably asking. There are some sites that list these colors so that you can find ones that work for you. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. Did you make this project? KYDEX Molding Presses & Kydex Press Foam | Holster Making Press They are quite pricey. So, why kydex? Make sure it is the same size and thickness as the first one! The disk must be struck with enough force to break, or fold over. This is a short how to article for anyone interested in working with KYDEX. How to Make a Kydex Sheath - Knife Life - Blade HQ The order is - 1. Can a 7-Year-Old Vehicle Bag Stand Up to Texas Heat? (Top 10) Best Foam For Kydex Press in 2023 Based On Customer Feedback Yes, this is necessary. Chosen for its high performance in the fabrication process; not only does it produce more detail in formed parts, it can be used on both sides but of its skin. That is so you can get a screw driver in to tighten the chicago screw that mounts the clip to the sheath. This may seem overly generous, but the materials cheap and while you can always cut some off later, you cant add it. Not only will this look better, but it will also make your Kydex sheath stronger. This will morph the flat sheets into the shape of the knife. Click the Learn More button below for details. There are many different ones, so let your creativity take you! Most are quite expensive, coming around $80-$120. Editor-in-Chiefs Note:Please join us in welcoming Justin Spindler as a contributing author on ITS Tactical! Im using a bandsaw, but for those of us who are power-tool challenged, a coping saw would work just as well. Heat it on high setting moving the heat gun constantly. A kydex press is a great way to make some extra money as a skilled make-yourselfkydex sheaths. Instead, find another way to make custom kydex sheaths! Whelp, its a short list: 1. The Aluminum is acting as a skeleton and giving structural support. Dont let any of that fool you though, just because its cheap doesnt mean its crap. For those interested in just making a sheath or two, theres no need to purchase an expensive arbor press and other specialty tools, a lot of the work can be done with some tools that you probably already own. For example, red and black does not go well, nor does green and black. Once your first layer is completely dry, it is time to add your second one. Make the mold using the knife and leather, Use your press to make custom kydex sheaths. Over the last 20 years, we have developed the number one selling steel design KYDEX molding press systems in the 12"- and 24"-inch KYDEX press. 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. Chemically formulated for low memory artifacts with durability to last longer. 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. Yeah, I know! You'll see our clamps will now be used to apply pressure when using the press. Show more Show more Shop the Simple Little Life store The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation. 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 Make sure the neck and mouth of your first press are closed so that nothing gets leaked out. 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. Whats kydex you ask? To start, you can preheat your oven to between 200-250 degrees. Cut off a piece of Kydex 3. DIY - How To Make Kydex Holsters - Triangle Tactical Theres a lot of reasons why making your own Kydex sheath is a great idea. i can hear a few of you screaming at your monitor. I have bought most of my supplies from Tracy and he got them to me quick and everything was right. To make a kydex sheath you really only need 7 ingredients: A section of Kydex sheeting Some rivets and rivet punch A Belt fastener (for carrying your knife on a belt) An oven or toaster oven A drill with some bits Hobby saw or Band Saw A foam press for pressure molding the heated/soft kydex around your knife (homemade) It's difficult to explain how hard you need to press the Kydex. 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. Okay.I'm making a new rig for my CCW piece. Be careful if you do, too much force on the buff will melt the kydex. You made it so simple and that jsut cleared up all my questions. But for those who are unsure about which knife will be Swiss Army Vs Leatherman: 6 Astonishing Differences. Make sure you space these holes evenly. It also comes with a 3-piece hardened ram set that will assist with pin flaring and other shop chores (see image). You need something to cut the kydex. The Black and Decker Workmate is my workaroundnot a wood vise, per se; but it has the length, at least; and you can augment that with 2x4s for surface area. Eyelet Setter. CKK Sheath/Holster Molding Press - Bench Model - (8 x 12) | KnifeKits.com Pushing it down or squeezing it likely wouldnt work, it takes some force. These can be paper, yarn, fabric, and/or materials such as wood or ceramic. You must take care of your new investment to keep it working, so do not purchase one if you do not intend to use it regularly! I really recommend this one in particular, it works better than the others ive tried, 4. If you stop here, youll have quite an ugly sheath. If your knife is short, 5-6 should be enough. I've considered doing videos, but unfortunately my recording equipment (read that as phone) isn't up to par, maybe in the future though! Made right, your knife press will feel like a butter knife in your hand. 15 Kydex press & Holster Making ideas | kydex, holster, kydex holster Doing the first 2 holes like this helps to keep everything lined up like it should be. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. 2009-2023 ITS Tactical // Imminent Threat Solutions. I see the idea of wood vise. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. 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. The Kydex can be placed either directly on the rack or on a cookie sheet if you prefer. At the very least i recommend using some sandpaper to smooth the rough edges, they can be a little rough from the saw cut. If you want you can substitute the Aluminum for another sheet of plywood 3/4". Participated in the Knives and Blades Challenge. This rod will be the base of your press. DIY Kydex Press - YouTube Finally, Find some pressure-relief material such as leather or Kydex coverings and stack them up! 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. Disclaimer As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. At 320-degrees Fahrenheit, the Kydex will soften and you will be able to work with it effectively. Once the Kydex is formed, you can add your patterns or decorations! Now walk away and let it cool. Standing head and shoulders above all Im James, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. I had lost some heat taking pictures but it will work just fine. Thanks now I can finish mine! (in order to get one formed side and one flat side) Is there a common type of foam or rubber heat resistant that I can pick up at a store? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'knifepulse_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-banner-1-0');But why Kydex? And great sense of humor. Before we get into the how, let me first answer the why. Kydex layer numero dos. Make sure you add some space for the eyelets as well. 8. Nakiri Vs Santoku Knife: The Battle of the Japanese Knives. Subscribe to Simple Little Life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSz. Now, use your cutting implement of choice and cut along that line you traced. Making a Simple Kydex Knife Sheath - Instructables Homemade Kydex Press? | BladeForums.com This was very helpful to do separately, as some people may not have used glue before this process. You can go up to about 300 degrees, but best to start low. If you have an oven toaster, you can also use this. Make sure there is plenty of pressure since you are molding the Kydex. Anyway, move over to your toaster oven and set it to 250 degrees, then pop both kydex pieces in for about 10 minutes. Either I would not add a hinge, or I would make the hinge adjustable. Building a Kydex press and making a Kydex Sheath Tutorial As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee nuts and screwed the pieces together tightly. Go cut another just like it, and meet me at the next step, Now for the fun part, making the flat sheet of kydex fit your knife. Please do not put any dangerous materials in your Kydex due to the risk of fire or burn formation. At its simplest a Kydex press is a rigid board with a thick piece of foam glued to it as a base, with top made the same way. *saw/sander/grinder *drill *Kydex sheet *sharpie marker Ask Question Step 2: Preparation. At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. 2) Can I sit/push down, or set books on top of the foam setup, instead of clamping it while it cools? Trim the leather 8. Here is the bottom. *razor knife *oven/heat gun *foam padding (medium stiff) *large, flat, stiff object (book, board, etc.) Medical Bag Updates: Repacking & Maintaining Over the Counter Medications, Go-To Preparedness Bags and Food Selections, Consider the Three Ps Before Packing for Your Next Trip, Hack Saw or Coping Saw, a band saw would be ideal, Vice or other type of clamps that you can tighten down, Two pieces of plywood, 12 x 12 square should be sufficient for most knife sheath projects, KYDEX sheeting, different sizes and thicknesses are available, Rivets get the proper size for the KYDEX you intend to use. If you do, theres a chance your cut will end up too small. Voodoo Resins - Handle Scale Set - Absinthe - Luminescent - (6.0 x 2.0 x .250), Elite Survival Systems - Belt Slide Holster - Size 8 - Left Hand. Step 1: Heat the Kydex Until It Has the Consistency of Wet Leather, the Griddle Does a Great Job of Heating the Kydex Evenly. Now, im making what im going to call a 'hamburger' style sheath, theres a layer of kydex (bun), the knife (patty), then another layer of kydex (other bun). 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. I bet that works great! That is no surprise when you look at the benefits of Kydex. During the molding process, you'll use your hands and fingers to manipulate the hot Kydex. The way to do this is to make the mold half-way through the process of shaping your leather. Thanks BD. Contrast this to a 'taco" style sheath, which is made like a taco. A hand drill would work just as well. Remember that the knife should be in the sheath as you do this. 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. Just simply slide your foam in between the top and bottom and your done! You need a way to heat the kydex to make it floppy. Amazon.com : 2 Sheets of Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform After some web searching I came across www.knifekits.com. What the devil is that?!" No issues, heat it back up and try again, kydex is awesome like that! Im always trying to improve my cleaning and sharpening process, and always on the hunt for the next best knife. Now is the time to add your decorations! The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. Kydex. Kydex is especially pliable while heated. Hold the heat gun about four to six inches away from the KYDEX and fan it over the surface. For one, every knife needs a sheath. Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives.
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