how to make a kydex press

I want the special protective taped index finger and thumb vent kind . Yeah, I know! Scribe a line around the outline of the knife, with about a 1/4" offset, like the picture. Share it with us! Keep the rougher sides on the outside. Im always trying to improve my cleaning and sharpening process, and always on the hunt for the next best knife. When it comes to creating custom holsters and sheaths, finding the best foam for your kydex press is essential. Something I have noticed gun guys is that we all have a box of old holsters. It will continue to soften up to about 390 degrees, but it will burn at 400 degrees. Step 1: Tools and Materials. Show more Show more Shop the Simple Little Life store Best damn advice I've gotten for kydex. If not, leave it in there longer. Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than youll need. Ditto with the eyelets. As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee nuts and screwed the pieces together tightly. Just make sure you dont burn your Kydex in the process! I apologize for the poor video quality, this was done with m. I use a $20 Walmart griddle to heat the kydex, its easy and cheap. Heat Source. You have almost everything you need to make this in your house! Knowledge and tips to give you the mental edge and prevail in any situation. 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 Just simply slide your foam in between the top and bottom and your done! The way I see it, life's no fun if you take it too seriously. These are what hold the 2 parts of the sheath together. It also comes with a 3-piece hardened ram set that will assist with pin flaring and other shop chores (see image). First, cut a small piece of leather about one inch long and about half an inch wide. Awesome Instructable! But for those who are unsure about which knife will be Swiss Army Vs Leatherman: 6 Astonishing Differences. If you would like to make your own, there are many places to find help online and in DIY shops. You can now use a saw to remove the excess KYDEX and shape the sheath to your liking. It could affect the molding of the kydex. Dont skip this part, its a lot easier to find out a piece is undersize now, rather than when its hot and floppy. More foam. Anyway, move over to your toaster oven and set it to 250 degrees, then pop both kydex pieces in for about 10 minutes. I was not real sure about the hinge part but that is a simple awesome way. Place your leather in the hollow space and wrap it securely in place with more leather. Its a lot easier than most people think. I voted for you I think. While the back side with the belt loop is fairly flat. Now, with the exception of the first 2 by the throat, the eyelet position really doesnt matter, just make it look good. You can go up to about 300 degrees, but best to start low. I had a few knives that I really liked but loathed the sheaths they were supplied with, so I decided to make my own from KYDEX. what kind of foam and where can i get it. All you need is some Kydex and youre good to go! With a utility knife and straight edge (two tools that I forgot to mention above), score the KYDEX and snap it off. Seriously though, kydex is a great choice if youve never made a sheath before because of how easy it is to work with. Instead, find another way to make custom kydex sheaths! I am using 2ea 1" thick pieces of neoprene for the mold foam. 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 And great sense of humor. 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. Bottom press board. 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. Tip It's a vice with jaws that are padded in order to hold lumber without denting it. A hand drill would work just as well. Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. If I was making a press for larger items like gun holsters I would make modifications. Shop the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment and hard to find tactical gear. To start, you can preheat your oven to between 200-250 degrees. Drill the holes far enough away from the edge of the blade so that when you add the rivets they will not pinch the cutting edge of your knife. Equipment you need for wherever your adventures in life take you. Color wise, there are some colors that do not work with each other. These two suggestions may not apply to all wallets, but we will discuss them here! Now, use your cutting implement of choice and cut along that line you traced. When you press the tip of the knife into the kydex, it should be grinded to a point. Often I use a goodwill toaster oven. Now walk away and let it cool. During the molding process, you'll use your hands and fingers to manipulate the hot Kydex. Now that the sheath is roughed out you can sand down the burs. Finally, Find some pressure-relief material such as leather or Kydex coverings and stack them up! Then use the hydraulic press to press down on the Kydex and blade. The tape will give a little breathing room for your knife in the finished product. If you have to use an edge, make sure it is a sharp one! Here is the back of the sheath with the clip mounted. Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives. This only takes 30 seconds. As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee . Youll also need a 1/4 drill bit, preferably a brad point bit. 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. 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. 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. I've taken all of the guesswork out of making these magazine / handcuff combo carriers yourself. With those 5 easy steps, you can make your very own Kydex sheath. Ive seen that. 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 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. You do not need special presses or machines to press your material. Standing head and shoulders above all Im James, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. You dont have to spend a lot of money to find a sheath that fits your knife anymore. Now is the time to add your decorations! Here again, amazon, ebay, etc. A rubber mallet may also prove useful! After some web searching I came across www.knifekits.com. Step 1 Heat the Kydex. The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. Being a DIY enthusiast, it did not take me long to want to try my hand at molding Kydex. Next,Find a piece of wood that is at least as thick as your steel rod. And it isnt easy to buy a sheath that fits either since every blade is different. Aug 30, 2004 #2 chrisse242 Enlightened Joined Dec 12, 2003 Messages 899 Location Germany Information on news, history and events both inside ITS and throughout the world. Having a sheath to hold your knife and keep it safe is a wonderful thing. You dont need to invest in special machines to build one of these. Because i said so. 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. Attach these boards to a cheap wood vise and you have your Kydex press for under $30. Lay your knife onto your kydex, then trace a line around the profile, leaving about 1.25" between the line and the knife. Building a Kydex press and making a Kydex Sheath Tutorial It may not display this or other websites correctly. I got mine from Tandy Leather. I see the idea of wood vise. 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. Because Kydex does not have a lot of directions, this process can be tricky. How to make a Kydex Concealed Holster at Home? - Legionary 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. 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). I bet that works great! Nakiri Vs Santoku Knife: The Battle of the Japanese Knives. Then, mark where one side of the press meets one edge of the hollow space to create a guide for removing the press later. For those of you that do not know, Kydex is the trade name for a propriety thermoplastic sheet. Fun With KYDEX!!! : 7 Steps - Instructables A quick how-to on building your own press for making Kydex holsters, sheaths, and mag carriers. How To Make A Kydex Press? - Homey Gears Either I would not add a hinge, or I would make the hinge adjustable. Many people use YouTube or Youtube videos to help guide them into the world of making them. For longer knives, add a few more. The material itself is available for $3-4 a sheet, the fasterners are about the same for a bag of 100, you get the point. To use this tool, simply heat your thermoplastic material to 300-375 degrees (depending on heating time and oven used). It's what you use under your sleeping bag. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press (or makeshift press). Without it, your Kydex may get deformed. Notice the Aluminum is sandwiched between for rigidity. DIY - How To Make Kydex Holsters - Triangle Tactical At least until I got enough skill to try more complicated gun holsters. (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? 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. The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. Make sure you can center the knife in the piece of kydex, with a generous border around it as shown in the pictures. There are some sites that list these colors so that you can find ones that work for you. Homemade Vacuum Press Table | LumberJocks Woodworking Forum Thanks now I can finish mine! 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. You can get a short length of steel rod, or you can buy extra long ones to make more presses. Im not going to tell you where to buy a hammer, you know where to find one, 5. Then take your eyelet, eyelet setter, and hammer, and get to work. Most are quite expensive, coming around $80-$120. Too much sharpening can lead to stuck knives and off cuts. 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". How to make a kydex holster/sheath press - B+C Guides Simple DIY Kydex Press - YouTube Once your first layer is completely dry, it is time to add your second one. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. Hold the heat gun about four to six inches away from the KYDEX and fan it over the surface. 2.0 1" neoprene foam 11.5 x 11.5 usaknifemaker.com. 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. Participated in the Knives and Blades Challenge. The order is - 1. The way to do this is to make the mold half-way through the process of shaping your leather. To form this stuff, use a paint remover heat gun, around $20. 1 year ago. I leave it there until it softens enough for me to bend it around. 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. The disk must be struck with enough force to break, or fold over. This is reasonably low compared to average cooking and is intended to make the Kydex easier to handle sooner post-heating. 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. 6. Knowledge Base. 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. 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. I chose to go with about a 1" spacing along that guideline. However, it leaves less material available for mounting hardware. Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. 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. 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. The materials are pretty simple for this kydex 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. Doing the first 2 holes like this helps to keep everything lined up like it should be. You must log in or register to reply here. 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! 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) If you pick up the KYDEX and its floppy, then its ready to mold. (Top 10) Best Foam For Kydex Press in 2023 Based On Customer Feedback Do the gloves come free with purchase?,.. Make sure you give the eyelets some room to the edge, 1/8 to 1/4 should do. To make the decoration sheets, I used leftover hot glue and cuttings from plants. They also supply tools, instructional books and all the hardware needed to complete just about any KYDEX related DIY project. Here they are: I do not. Rough-cut the leather 6. Book could work, if you have a lot of them. I used my bandsaw to make short work of it, here again a coping saw would do. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. If you're not careful, you might end up scorching more than just the plastic. In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. Im always trying to improve my cleaning and sharpening process, and always on the hunt for the next best knife. Using a knife is the best method for making a kydex press. 15 Kydex press & Holster Making ideas | kydex, holster, kydex holster Oh My Hell!!!!!! If you do, theres a chance your cut will end up too small. Once youve found a good spot, mark it. Cut off a piece of Kydex 3. The handle is attached on the top so the you can maneuver it when needed. Now, mark out the spots for the rest of the eyelets. What kind of foam for kydex press? | Candle Power Flashlight Forum These can be paper, yarn, fabric, and/or materials such as wood or ceramic. Basic Knife History Thanks BD. I will sometimes lay down a 3/16" thick piece of felt to slightly conforum the back. 2) Can I sit/push down, or set books on top of the foam setup, instead of clamping it while it cools? Sometimes referred to as a "fold-over" or "1-piece" holster, the taco-style holster and/or taco knife sheath is one of the simplest and most versatile holster designs in the business. Bend the wings 9. Instead, Im going to teach you how to make your very own Kydex sheath. 9. To do this, bore holes around the blade. Click the Learn More button below for details. You see? Yes, this is necessary. If they are open, put something over them to prevent air and water from coming in and out. *razor knife *oven/heat gun *foam padding (medium stiff) *large, flat, stiff object (book, board, etc.) The disk must also be folded over in order for the pressure to apply. Your sense of humor would be awesome to see. First, make sure the back of your first press is flush with the back of your new one. See more ideas about kydex, holster, kydex holster. 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. (For a taco sheath: do the same thing, but put the Kydex on the press, place the blade on the Kydex, and fold the Kydex over the knife so that the crease very closely follows the spine of the blade.) Homemade Kydex Press? | BladeForums.com You must log in or register to reply here. For this I used a belt sander, it removes the burs and can be used for final shaping of the KYDEX. All Rights Reserved. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! I'm building one this week. JavaScript is disabled. I have bought most of my supplies from Tracy and he got them to me quick and everything was right. With the KYDEX still hot, sandwich the knife between the two foam molds and clamp the entire unit down tight. Im using a drill press because, hey, burn em if youve got em. Here are the parts needed. Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. Experiment. Cutting tool (not pictured). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Especially on a behind-the-back sheath, it's a good idea to have wider lips because you can't see to sheath. To begin, start by measuring and cutting your sheet. A sheath will give you so much convenience, and also prolong the life of your knife. At 320-degrees Fahrenheit, the Kydex will soften and you will be able to work with it effectively. Alrighty, now that everything's stuck together, time to bring the sheath down to size. Make sure you space these holes evenly. 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. I like doing this one half at a time, just to make sure everything lines up properly. I had lost some heat taking pictures but it will work just fine. 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. If so, wed love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! 2. Now that you have the locations marked, time to make some holes. Kydex is usually sold in 8x12 sheets, so the price for the kydex would be the same on a longer blade. That is no surprise when you look at the benefits of Kydex. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. You should also have your Vice/C-Clamps and Foam Press within arms reach. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. Drilling the belt clip. 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. Knife. When youre ready to make your first kydex press, the first thing to do is find a steel rod. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. (DIY) How to Make a Kydex Sheath - 5 Easy Steps | Knife Pulse Enough food, back to business. Do you have access to a Black and Decker Workmate? 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. Gallery 481530.jpg 98.2 KB Views: 119 481531.jpg 116.3 KB Views: 64 481532.jpg I really recommend this one in particular, it works better than the others ive tried, 4. Then cover or wrap your item with the heated material (see our video tutorials for examples). 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. Great tutorial Tracy!!! The next step is to drill the holes for the rivets and mounting hardware. I put rubber screw on chair feet to prevent sliding. What is a cheap wood vise? 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. The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. Assuming both halfs of your sheath look good, lets get them stuck together! If you are more advanced, you can switch to using the more advanced presses from above. It consists of a hard, disk-like material that you place inside your hand and where the pressure is applied against. Please do not put any dangerous materials in your Kydex due to the risk of fire or burn formation. The pressing force is created by the two press wings and fixed in position by an optional 12 . Kit Instructions boy you made that look easy. 7. Take your leather puncher and put holes where you need it. To begin, start by measuring and cutting your sheet. Kydex is a thermoforming plastic made for use in gun holsters and knife sheaths. [flickrset id=72157625796975779 thumbnail=square overlay=true size=large]. Yours doesnt look that way, did the kydex not properly take the shape of the knife? When choosing leather for the mold, two main things must be considered. This may seem overly generous, but the materials cheap and while you can always cut some off later, you cant add it. Maybe $30 in startup costs, $4 a sheath after that if even, and less than an hour of time . Why not something like leather? Press the Kydex. Here is the bottom. 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.

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