how to make a kydex press


Whaddup denizens of the internet, its ya boy guz- wait, wrong intro. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press . Nakiri Vs Santoku Knife: The Battle of the Japanese Knives. Im using a bandsaw, but for those of us who are power-tool challenged, a coping saw would work just as well. A rubber mallet may also prove useful! In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. Put an eyelet in the second hole, then proceed to drill the rest. Share it with us! You do not need special presses or machines to press your material. They offer KYDEX in various colors and thicknesses. It's difficult to explain how hard you need to press the Kydex. 6 years ago, 1) Probably. Instead, Im going to teach you how to make your very own Kydex sheath. Time to mold! This was very helpful to do separately, as some people may not have used glue before this process. 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. Now walk away and let it cool. Make sure you can center the knife in the piece of kydex, with a generous border around it as shown in the pictures. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013[emailprotected]. It is low cost and easy to learn. Yours doesnt look that way, did the kydex not properly take the shape of the knife? Hold the heat gun about four to six inches away from the KYDEX and fan it over the surface. 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. Here they are: I do not. There are many ways to use the press, and only a little woodworking experience is needed to make one yourself. 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. 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. If not, leave it in there longer. As a completely optional step, use a felt wheel or loose cotton wheel with some white compound to give a little polish to the edges. Great tutorial Tracy!!! I put rubber screw on chair feet to prevent sliding. 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. Anyway, move over to your toaster oven and set it to 250 degrees, then pop both kydex pieces in for about 10 minutes. Im not going to tell you where to buy a hammer, you know where to find one, 5. I've taken all of the guesswork out of making these magazine / handcuff combo carriers yourself. It only takes 5 easy steps to do this. Great info by the way i like your gloveslol. First things first, you need to decide where to put the holes (teehee, puns). Then use the hydraulic press to press down on the Kydex and blade. While the back side with the belt loop is fairly flat. Oh My Hell!!!!!! 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. I like doing this one half at a time, just to make sure everything lines up properly. When choosing leather for the mold, two main things must be considered. 15 Kydex press & Holster Making ideas | kydex, holster, kydex holster Many offer free tutorials or just show you how to get started. After some web searching I came across www.knifekits.com. Don't worry these are 3" screws I later went back and put in 2 1/2" screws and the no longer stick out. Does it make my butt look big? 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. I use a $20 Walmart griddle to heat the kydex, its easy and cheap. To do this, bore holes around the blade. i need to buy all the tools from you to do the rivots you need to make a kit. 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. Rough-cut the leather 6. Pushing it down or squeezing it likely wouldnt work, it takes some force. 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? 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. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'knifepulse_com-leader-1','ezslot_11',171,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-leader-1-0');Remember, this is a rough cut. 8 Steps. One of the few specialized tools you need, but well worth the $10. I also countersunk the screw heads so they are flush with the plywood. For Sale: Custom & Semi Production Knives (Dealer), KnifeMaker's Market: Knives & More for Sale, Wanted: Knifemaker / Craftsman / Related Services, Busse / Swamprat / Scrapyard Knives For Sale, For Sale: Traditionals, Slipjoints, "Old Timey", International (Non-US) For Sale & Trade Forums, http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/CategoryOverview.aspx?cPath=1496.1506, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42494. Once youve found a good spot, mark it. If I was making a press for larger items like gun holsters I would make modifications. Today, we arent going to buy a sheath. i can hear a few of you screaming at your monitor. Specifications Master Series Flaring Press 22 LBS Pre-Tapped Set Screw = Yes (for holding top die) Seal the Kydex. Kydex is usually sold in 8x12 sheets, so the price for the kydex would be the same on a longer blade. Contrast this to a 'taco" style sheath, which is made like a taco. I see the idea of wood vise. How to make a kydex holster/sheath press - B+C Guides To use this tool, simply heat your thermoplastic material to 300-375 degrees (depending on heating time and oven used). 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. Thanks to the generosity of our supporting members and occasionally earning money from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate, (when you click our Amazon links) weve eliminated annoying ads and content. You'll see our clamps will now be used to apply pressure when using the press. going to build that tomorrow. 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. With a utility knife and straight edge (two tools that I forgot to mention above), score the KYDEX and snap it off. You can get a short length of steel rod, or you can buy extra long ones to make more presses. Not only will this look better, but it will also make your Kydex sheath stronger. That is a gorgeous blade with a really cool handle! Even if you dont have the tools, the other benefit of kydex is just how cheap it is to work with. 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. Aug 20, 2018 - Explore Arcturus Enterprises's board "Kydex press & Holster Making" on Pinterest. 1 1/4" Hole saw or drill bit Weather strip Big cardboard box Aluminum foil Caulk Garage Heater Shop Vac Plastic of your choice (ABS, Lexan, Polystyrene.) It should flex easy, under its own weight. Place your Kydex sheets in at 250 degrees for ten minutes. The top is assembled in the same fashion but with only one 2x4 centered for a clamping point. So cut two pieces a little bigger than the blade itself. This to say, the outside of the sheath will have all the curves. Our Master Series press also comes with (2) Allen wrenches for making press adjustments and securing set screw in tool holder. Now, use your cutting implement of choice and cut along that line you traced. It really depends on the thickness of the Kydex your working with. 2.0 1" neoprene foam 11.5 x 11.5 usaknifemaker.com. Sharpie, preferably red. Get your oven plugged in and all your gear laid out and ready. When you press the tip of the knife into the kydex, it should be grinded to a point. Make sure you add some space for the eyelets as well. Seriously though, kydex is a great choice if youve never made a sheath before because of how easy it is to work with. 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. Now that youve got that line laid out, cut to it. (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? Kydex is especially pliable while heated. So take scissors or a cutter and remove all the excess Kydex. 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. Enough food, back to business. Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives. 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. I'm building one this week. The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. You are using an out of date browser. Especially on a behind-the-back sheath, it's a good idea to have wider lips because you can't see to sheath. Im always trying to improve my cleaning and sharpening process, and always on the hunt for the next best knife. Thanks BD. It is a hard material, one that you cant bend easily. Once your first layer is completely dry, it is time to add your second one. This molding foam is for use in press molding sheet materials, such as KYDEXTM, HOLSTEXTM and BoltaronTM. They also supply tools, instructional books and all the hardware needed to complete just about any KYDEX related DIY project. 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. Now that the sheath is roughed out you can sand down the burs. 6. 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. 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. JavaScript is disabled. DIY - How To Make Kydex Holsters - Triangle Tactical The hot glue kept it in place well! 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. Heat Source. 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. 3. KYDEX Molding Presses & Kydex Press Foam | Holster Making Press Be sure to check out his great photos on Flickr! When you first get ahold of Kydex, you might wonder how you are supposed to shape this. Remember, the shiny side of the kydex should be touching the knife, the rough side should be facing outward. Just simply slide your foam in between the top and bottom and your done! For this I used a belt sander, it removes the burs and can be used for final shaping of the KYDEX. You may want to move to a higher grit paper to smooth off the edge, you can also buff the edge just by rubbing it on your jeans. Make sure there is plenty of pressure since you are molding the Kydex. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation. Okay.I'm making a new rig for my CCW piece. JavaScript is disabled. Move quick, if you let the kydex cool too much it wont form like it should. If you are more advanced, you can switch to using the more advanced presses from above. The next step is to drill the holes for the rivets and mounting hardware. 2009-2023 ITS Tactical // Imminent Threat Solutions. 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. Either I would not add a hinge, or I would make the hinge adjustable. For example, red and black does not go well, nor does green and black. Notice the Aluminum is sandwiched between for rigidity. The kydex press is a pretty basic tool that most people make use of. Ask Question Download Step 2: I Try to Place Everything Correctly and Close the Press Within 15 Seconds. 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 that you have the locations marked, time to make some holes. Best damn advice I've gotten for kydex. Layer of Kydex. A good kydex sheath will be every bit as functional as a hand-tooled leather sheath, if not as good looking. Kydex layer numero dos. Chemically formulated for low memory artifacts with durability to last longer. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. In my case, the piece of kydex i was working off was small enough all i really needed to do was cut it in half at the bandsaw. Be careful if you do, too much force on the buff will melt the kydex. Then, using the knife, spread the leather slightly apart and down until you have created a hollow space where your mold will go. With bare hands, it could be too hot to handle. 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. Kydex Press. The KYDEX Taco Press | 1-Piece Holster Presses and Thermoform M Made right, your knife press will feel like a butter knife in your hand. Red shows up best on black kydex. Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. 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. Did you make this project? First, cut a small piece of leather about one inch long and about half an inch wide. Youve now got a very functional knife sheath, ready for whatever you can throw at it. Bend the wings 9. Amazon.com : 2 Sheets of Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform I have bought most of my supplies from Tracy and he got them to me quick and everything was right. 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! You need something to cut the kydex. Step 2: The Base I first started out by cutting my 1X3 boards and making a frame. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. 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. Why not something like leather? Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. 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. If it is wider or thinner, add more material to make it match. I bet that works great! (DIY) How to Make a Kydex Sheath - 5 Easy Steps | Knife Pulse The tape will give a little breathing room for your knife in the finished product. At 320-degrees Fahrenheit, the Kydex will soften and you will be able to work with it effectively. First, cut a small piece of leather about one inch long and about half an inch wide. 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. Equipment you need for wherever your adventures in life take you. But the original idea behind what we wanted it to be is this description below:Videos on our journey to homesteading. You can find this stuff on amazon, ebay, knifemaking supply places, even tandy leather has it. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. This impression wasn't all that crisp. Cut the template 2. Why DIY Kydex Holsters Don't Work - Rounded by Concealment Express 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. Knife Terminology Knife. Press the Kydex. Do you sell Tek-Lok belt clips? Make sure you add some space for the eyelets as well. The best part? However, it leaves less material available for mounting hardware. An avid outdoorsman, shooter, fly fisherman and fellow connoisseur of BOSS Coffee! 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. Double up a couple layers and glue them to some boards. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press (or makeshift press). What I do is cut two pieces of Kydex sheet, then attach them together to form the sheath. Pressing is a great way to make money as a beginner maker. Your sense of humor would be awesome to see. Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. However, what makes Kydex so useful is that unlike plastics, Kydex doesnt off gas toxic fumes at forming temperatures. So, why kydex? *razor knife *oven/heat gun *foam padding (medium stiff) *large, flat, stiff object (book, board, etc.) Normally I find the oven works best to begin the project, and I use a heat gun to spot heat for adjustments. Kit Instructions Take your piece of KYDEX and lay it flat on a work bench. How to Build a Homemade Kydex Press | Tennessee Gun 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. Bottom press board. Do the gloves come free with purchase?,.. Get the stack assembled and get some pressure on it. You should make a YouTube video. Something I have noticed gun guys is that we all have a box of old holsters. Kydex Holster Making Molds | DIY Tactical Gear | Oxcreek Tactical 2) Can I sit/push down, or set books on top of the foam setup, instead of clamping it while it cools? Top press board. You will want to make sure that you keep pressure on the mold long enough for it to form correctly. Subscribe to Simple Little Life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSz. This is to show proper assembly. KYDEX is a forgiving material, should you have any screw ups during the molding process you can always reheat and try again. Dont skip this part, its a lot easier to find out a piece is undersize now, rather than when its hot and floppy. Thanks a bunch for the tutorial, Tracy. Make sure you can center the knife in the piece of kydex, with a generous border around it as shown in the pictures. Disclaimer As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Simply glue the two pieces of sheath making foam to the two pieces of plywood, allow to dry and there you have it. You can use either a patterned paste or liquid adhesive to place your decorations on the Kydex. I wouldnt say that Kydex is better than leather. Im Ahmed, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. Make your own Adjustable Kydex Magazine / Handcuff Combo Carrier. This only takes 30 seconds. Alright, youve got 2 halves now, time to stick em together to make a whole! First off, stop screaming, youre freaking out the neighbors. CKK Sheath/Holster Molding Press - Bench Model - (8 x 12) | KnifeKits.com Seriously, youre done. Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Xtreme Form) - (8x12x1.5), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Xtreme Form) - (8x12x1), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Xtreme Form) - (8x12x.5), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Mega Form) - (8x12x1), *CKK Sheath/Holster Molding Press (w/Mega Foam) - Bench Model - (8 x 12), *CKK Sheath/Holster Molding Press (w/Mega Foam) - Bench Model - (8 x 24), *CKK Sheath/Holster Molding Press (w/Xtreme Foam) - Bench Model - (8 x 12), *CKK Sheath/Holster Molding Press (w/Xtreme Foam) - Bench Model - (8 x 24), HolsterMolds - Curved Jig - Large Radius - (w/Xtreme Foam), HolsterMolds - Curved Jig - Medium Radius - (w/Xtreme Foam), KYDEX Taco Press - (6 x 12) - Press Only, KYDEX Taco Press - (6 x 12) - w/Maxx Center Foam, KYDEX Taco Press - (6 x 12) - w/Xtreme Center Foam, Scissortail Custom - Bender Angled Jig (w/Xtreme Foam), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Maxx Form) - (12x11.5x1), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Maxx Form) - (8x12x1), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Mega Form) - (12x11.5x1), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Mega Form) - (24x3.75x1), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Xtreme Form) - (12x11.5x.5), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Xtreme Form) - (12x11.5x1.5), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Xtreme Form) - (12x11.5x1), Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform Molding - (Xtreme Form) - (24x3.75x 1), Vacuum Forming Membrane - Commercial Grade Silicone - (49" Width), Photo Gallery #1 Once youve got that all attached, meet me at the saw! 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. Whelp, its a short list: 1. If they are open, put something over them to prevent air and water from coming in and out. Make sure you give the eyelets some room to the edge, 1/8 to 1/4 should do. Show more Show more Shop the Simple Little Life store There are some sites that list these colors so that you can find ones that work for you. Can a 7-Year-Old Vehicle Bag Stand Up to Texas Heat? You made it so simple and that jsut cleared up all my questions. If so, wed love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! Yeah, I know! Make sure you space these holes evenly.

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how to make a kydex press