how to make a kydex press

If you stop here, youll have quite an ugly sheath. 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. After about ten minutes you can remove the sheath from the mold. If you are using an armored leather such as Kydex or a more rugged leather such as tup Olive Dras then it is recommended that the leather is thicker to provide more support. The only thing I could add to this great tutorial is, For some of my smaller knives, I only have foam on the top half of the press. If you want you can substitute the Aluminum for another sheet of plywood 3/4". Shop the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment and hard to find tactical gear. Built your press, and bought a griddle. Make sure there is plenty of pressure since you are molding the Kydex. The hot glue kept it in place well! You can find this stuff on amazon, ebay, knifemaking supply places, even tandy leather has it. Also, before you press, make sure the shiny sides of your Kydex sheets are on the inside of the sandwich. Now to use them. 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. Place your leather in the hollow space and wrap it securely in place with more leather. Can a 7-Year-Old Vehicle Bag Stand Up to Texas Heat? Share it with us! If you have to use an edge, make sure it is a sharp one! 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. Get the stack assembled and get some pressure on it. 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. Pushing it down or squeezing it likely wouldnt work, it takes some force. As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee . I need to make a simple kydex press out of 2 sheets of MDF hinge and a handle and need to apply foam to one side. That is a gorgeous blade with a really cool handle! I wouldnt say that Kydex is better than leather. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. Just make sure you dont burn your Kydex in the process! Layer of Kydex. Maybe $30 in startup costs, $4 a sheath after that if even, and less than an hour of time . 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". If you are more advanced, you can switch to using the more advanced presses from above. 8 Steps. Official Simple Little Life video of a simple DIY Kydex Press.Subscribe to Simple Little Life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSzWatch More Simple Little Life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSzFollow Simple Little Life:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplelittleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplelittlFollow Homestead Knives:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hsknives/Official Website: www.simplelittlelife.caKnife Store: www.homesteadknives.comWatch More Simple Little Life:Latest Uploads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPJJPopular Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPJJKnife Making: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aXywDIY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_2eyAbout Simple Little Life:This channel has sort of turned (inadvertently) into a knife making channel. 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. 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. One of the few specialized tools you need, but well worth the $10. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. And it isnt easy to buy a sheath that fits either since every blade is different. A rubber mallet may also prove useful! i can hear a few of you screaming at your monitor. 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. Step 1: Heat the Kydex Until It Has the Consistency of Wet Leather, the Griddle Does a Great Job of Heating the Kydex Evenly. Awesome Instructable! *razor knife *oven/heat gun *foam padding (medium stiff) *large, flat, stiff object (book, board, etc.) Work on one eyelet at a time. 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. You can use any heat source to soften your Kydex sheet. Learn more about joining our Community as a Crew Leader. With the KYDEX still hot, sandwich the knife between the two foam molds and clamp the entire unit down tight. Remember that the knife should be in the sheath as you do this. Specifications Master Series Flaring Press 22 LBS Pre-Tapped Set Screw = Yes (for holding top die) The finished product!!! Make sure it is the same size and thickness as the first one! While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press (or makeshift press). 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. 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. "Thermowhatsit? When youre ready to make your first kydex press, the first thing to do is find a steel rod. These not only allow you to carry your knife wherever you go, but they also protect the steel from the elements.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'knifepulse_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Unfortunately, not all knives come with sheaths. Here are the parts needed. I see the idea of wood vise. Use your heat gun to heat the KYDEX until it becomes pliable. When you press the tip of the knife into the kydex, it should be grinded to a point. To begin, start by measuring and cutting your sheet. Make sure to get the 8-8 eyelets, as those are just the right length for a double layer of .080 kydex, 3. Kydex. You have almost everything you need to make this in your house! The materials are pretty simple for this kydex press. Why not something like leather? They offer KYDEX in various colors and thicknesses. I made mine to follow the profile of the knife, pretty easy to do. Either way, you need some way to squish the kydex to shape, 6. Instead, Im going to teach you how to make your very own Kydex sheath. Amateur Bladesmith, hobbiest woodworker, and a bloody good cook, Mobile Workshop Sink With Easy DIY Parts Washer. This impression wasn't all that crisp. Make sure you can center the knife in the piece of kydex, with a generous border around it as shown in the pictures. However, what makes Kydex so useful is that unlike plastics, Kydex doesnt off gas toxic fumes at forming temperatures. Eyelet Setter. Aspiring chefs who are getting around to learning more about Japanese knives will appreciate how they can improve your overall culinary skills. Kydex does not have a memory, so that once it has cooled; it retains the shape it was molded to fit. Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. All you need is some Kydex and youre good to go! Instead, find another way to make custom kydex sheaths! Today, we arent going to buy a sheath. Then use the hydraulic press to press down on the Kydex and blade. You dont have to spend a lot of money to find a sheath that fits your knife anymore. 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. For the wrap around style of sheath first lay your knife flat on the KYDEX about one inch from the edge and roll the knife over once then add another inch, this will give you the proper width of KYDEX to fully wrap around the blade and should leave you with some extra screw up material. To form this stuff, use a paint remover heat gun, around $20. They are quite pricey. I have bought most of my supplies from Tracy and he got them to me quick and everything was right. Kydex is usually sold in 8x12 sheets, so the price for the kydex would be the same on a longer blade. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Hold the heat gun about four to six inches away from the KYDEX and fan it over the surface. Take your leather puncher and put holes where you need it. All of my measurements are precise and designed to fit your Peerless Chain, Peerless 801 Hinge, ASP Hinged, or Smith & Wesson chain cuffs perfectly. This is one side repeat for the other side. The tape will give a little breathing room for your knife in the finished product. They also supply tools, instructional books and all the hardware needed to complete just about any KYDEX related DIY project. So cut two pieces a little bigger than the blade itself. Now you just need to get them in exactly the right place. Once this is done, place the wrapped item in the molding press and apply pressure (chain locking optional). 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. The hardest thing to come by was the foam ,I found some knealing pads at a farm co-op near my work they sell them for milking cows they were $2 each but you could get some at any store with a garden center at a higher cost. i need to buy all the tools from you to do the rivots you need to make a kit. Adding the rivets and using the flaring die is pretty self explanatory just remember when setting the rivets one good tap with the hammer on the flaring die is better than a lot of little taps. Thanks Tracy for the tutorial. Knowledge Base. If I was making a press for larger items like gun holsters I would make modifications. This process can take a few moments or days, depending on how much you update your creation. 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 you add some space for the eyelets as well. What I do is cut two pieces of Kydex sheet, then attach them together to form the sheath. Having a sheath to hold your knife and keep it safe is a wonderful thing. If so, wed love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! Takes some time for the kydex to cool, the foam is a good insulator. Consult the pictures for more detail on how it should look. Once the Kydex is formed, you can add your patterns or decorations! The way I see it, life's no fun if you take it too seriously. Anyway, move over to your toaster oven and set it to 250 degrees, then pop both kydex pieces in for about 10 minutes. 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. Seriously, youre done. I used a hack saw for this but a band saw would be ideal. The handle is attached on the top so the you can maneuver it when needed. Hammer. I use a $20 Walmart griddle to heat the kydex, its easy and cheap. Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. 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? Here is the bottom. I will in a few weeks. To begin, start by measuring and cutting your sheet. What You Need To Craft Your Own Kydex Sheath, link to Nakiri Vs Santoku Knife: The Battle of the Japanese Knives, link to Swiss Army Vs Leatherman: 6 Astonishing Differences. When Kydex is heated, it becomes soft and moldable. Step 1 Heat the Kydex. Now, you should have one bun for the proverbial hamburger. Red shows up best on black kydex. Seriously though, kydex is a great choice if youve never made a sheath before because of how easy it is to work with. Click the Learn More button below for details. They range from $75 to $150 or so, depending on the model. These can be paper, yarn, fabric, and/or materials such as wood or ceramic. Skills we advocate to get you through anything life throws at you. Alright, youve got 2 halves now, time to stick em together to make a whole! It's a vice with jaws that are padded in order to hold lumber without denting it. Tools to give you the advantage over any Imminent Threats that come your way. I've taken all of the guesswork out of making these magazine / handcuff combo carriers yourself. 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. Rough-cut the leather 6. Seal the Kydex. glad you enjoyed it mate! -------------- I used my bandsaw to make short work of it, here again a coping saw would do. Now, use your cutting implement of choice and cut along that line you traced. Okay.I'm making a new rig for my CCW piece. 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. I put rubber screw on chair feet to prevent sliding. I'm building one this week. Being a DIY enthusiast, it did not take me long to want to try my hand at molding Kydex. Nicely done 'ible, very detailed in the process.I have two questions for you:1) Can this be done effectively to a 10 inch blade on the same budget? Its so cheap and easy, anyone can make their own Kydex sheath. A quick how-to on building your own press for making Kydex holsters, sheaths, and mag carriers. Official Simple Little Life video of a simple DIY Kydex Press. Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. I connected them this way because I plan on making knife sheaths. At this point, yours should still be considerably oversized, like mine is. These are what hold the 2 parts of the sheath together. As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee nuts and screwed the pieces together tightly. I apologize for the poor video quality, this was done with m. If its a large knife I would recommend using two pieces of KYDEX riveted together on each side of the blade to allow for more stable mounting options, but for medium and small knives one piece of KYDEX wrapped around the blade is sufficient. The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. Best damn advice I've gotten for kydex. I like doing this one half at a time, just to make sure everything lines up properly. I went a little more complicated, as I put a set of hinges to connect the top and bottom pieces. Now, technically, if you work the saw right, this is your last step. Too much sharpening can lead to stuck knives and off cuts. Bend the wings 9. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Top press board. Then take your eyelet, eyelet setter, and hammer, and get to work. 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. KYDEX is a forgiving material, should you have any screw ups during the molding process you can always reheat and try again. After 10ish or so minutes, the kydex should be cool and holding its shape, which should be the shape of the knife with a fair degree of detail. These materials will protect your hard work from accidental presses and releases. Yeah, I know! JavaScript is disabled. 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. Making a $21 Kydex Press (And my first kydex sheath) - YouTube 0:00 / 6:22 Making a $21 Kydex Press (And my first kydex sheath) The Bolt and the Beautiful 7.72K subscribers Subscribe 13K. In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. You can put weights on top to do this, or use clamps to hold it shut. You do not need special presses or machines to press your material. Before we get into the how, let me first answer the why. 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. With a utility knife and straight edge (two tools that I forgot to mention above), score the KYDEX and snap it off. Also the size of the piece your molding will impact on your heat source. An avid outdoorsman, shooter, fly fisherman and fellow connoisseur of BOSS Coffee! 6 years ago, 1) Probably. While the back side with the belt loop is fairly flat. Most are quite expensive, coming around $80-$120. Here again, amazon, ebay, etc. 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. With bare hands, it could be too hot to handle. Step 1: Tools and Materials. If you pick up the KYDEX and its floppy, then its ready to mold. For those of you that do not know, Kydex is the trade name for a propriety thermoplastic sheet. 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. Be careful if you do, too much force on the buff will melt the kydex. This is reasonably low compared to average cooking and is intended to make the Kydex easier to handle sooner post-heating. If you have an oven toaster, you can also use this. And great sense of humor. With those 5 easy steps, you can make your very own Kydex sheath. Many people use YouTube or Youtube videos to help guide them into the world of making them. Voting on the iOS app is a little weird. Attach these boards to a cheap wood vise and you have your Kydex press for under $30. Remember, the shiny side of the kydex should be touching the knife, the rough side should be facing outward. The Kydex can be placed either directly on the rack or on a cookie sheet if you prefer. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! Contrast this to a 'taco" style sheath, which is made like a taco. Here are the parts needed. Sharpie, preferably red. What is a cheap wood vise? Its a lot easier than most people think. It works, just not that great. For longer knives, add a few more. Im using a toaster oven, but a regular over or a heat gun would work as well, 7. The majority of holsters I use on a daily basis are either Kydex or combinations of both leather and Kydex. 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. For this I used a belt sander, it removes the burs and can be used for final shaping of the KYDEX. Now, drill 1 hole, but just one. what kind of foam and where can i get it. Thanks a bunch for the tutorial, Tracy. Bit selection is important, the brad point bit will make a nice, clean hole in the kydex, a twist drill tends to tear it up. For example, red and black does not go well, nor does green and black. You can get a short length of steel rod, or you can buy extra long ones to make more presses. After that, it should be floppy. Knife Terminology I pre-drilled the holes in the ends so the wood did not split. I hope this article is of some help to those who might be interested in making their own KYDEX sheaths. Ask Question Download Step 2: I Try to Place Everything Correctly and Close the Press Within 15 Seconds. It only takes 5 easy steps to do this. or do you have a kydex stater kit.. (no stitching required, I suck at that.) 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. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! 2009-2023 ITS Tactical // Imminent Threat Solutions. Cut the template 2. Now, with the exception of the first 2 by the throat, the eyelet position really doesnt matter, just make it look good. During the molding process, you'll use your hands and fingers to manipulate the hot Kydex. The secret is to heat it up first. This will morph the flat sheets into the shape of the knife. Nor do you have to leave your knife out in the open, exposed to all the elements. 7. 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. That is so you can get a screw driver in to tighten the chicago screw that mounts the clip to the sheath. The plywood will do that to a certain extent; however, if you have all of the pressure on one spot at the point where a narrow vice's jaws meet, you could have quite a bit less pressure the farther away from the meeting point. Many people make their presses by buying one at a gun store or hunting supply store, but you can also find them online. Once youve got that all attached, meet me at the saw! To do this, I place my Kydex sheets on my electric grill. Besides a heat source, gloves, and trimming tools, one of the most basic tools to mold Kydex is a press. These two suggestions may not apply to all wallets, but we will discuss them here! To start, you can preheat your oven to between 200-250 degrees. You will want to make sure that you keep pressure on the mold long enough for it to form correctly. *saw/sander/grinder *drill *Kydex sheet *sharpie marker Ask Question Step 2: Preparation. Oh My Hell!!!!!! At least until I got enough skill to try more complicated gun holsters. This is one side repeat for the other side. How do you know where to put the eyelets? 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. At 320-degrees Fahrenheit, the Kydex will soften and you will be able to work with it effectively. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. The lid is clamped shut and the vacuum turned on. I want the special protective taped index finger and thumb vent kind . Im using a drill press because, hey, burn em if youve got em. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
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