how to make a kydex press how to make a kydex press

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. Time to mold! The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. Something I have noticed gun guys is that we all have a box of old holsters. Next,Find a piece of wood that is at least as thick as your steel rod. I voted for you I think. In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. Once you open your Kydex press, youll find that the Kydex has shapeshifted into a sheath. 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. Now that youve got that line laid out, cut to it. And great sense of humor. Here they are: I do not. While the back side with the belt loop is fairly flat. The color and texture. As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee . Contrast this to a 'taco" style sheath, which is made like a taco. To form this stuff, use a paint remover heat gun, around $20. 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. Did you make this project? Whelp, its a short list: 1. 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. 8 Steps. Make sure you add some space for the eyelets as well. After some web searching I came across www.knifekits.com. 6. Its so cheap and easy, anyone can make their own Kydex sheath. Consult the pictures for more detail on how it should look. There are many different ones, so let your creativity take you! Finally, Find some pressure-relief material such as leather or Kydex coverings and stack them up! Whats kydex you ask? I want the special protective taped index finger and thumb vent kind . And it isnt easy to buy a sheath that fits either since every blade is different. Then, mark where one side of the press meets one edge of the hollow space to create a guide for removing the press later. Also the size of the piece your molding will impact on your heat source. So cut two pieces a little bigger than the blade itself. 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. You can find this stuff on amazon, ebay, knifemaking supply places, even tandy leather has it. Medical Bag Updates: Repacking & Maintaining Over the Counter Medications Go-To Preparedness Bags and Food Selections JavaScript is disabled. Heat Source. You have almost everything you need to make this in your house! Enough food, back to business. The best part? This only takes 30 seconds. I bet that works great! I'd stopped doing them because of my press sucking, and my wife hating the smell in her oven. The kydex press is a pretty basic tool that most people make use of. 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. Again, making a Kydex sheath is a lot easier than you may think. Having a sheath to hold your knife and keep it safe is a wonderful thing. Dont skip this part, its a lot easier to find out a piece is undersize now, rather than when its hot and floppy. Rough-cut the leather 6. It's a vice with jaws that are padded in order to hold lumber without denting it. Voodoo Resins - Handle Scale Set - Absinthe - Luminescent - (6.0 x 2.0 x .250), Elite Survival Systems - Belt Slide Holster - Size 8 - Left Hand. I used my bandsaw to make short work of it, here again a coping saw would do. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! Make your own Adjustable Kydex Magazine / Handcuff Combo Carrier. With bare hands, it could be too hot to handle. Once youve got that all attached, meet me at the saw! Okay.I'm making a new rig for my CCW piece. It's what you use under your sleeping bag. It works, just not that great. Just simply slide your foam in between the top and bottom and your done! Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives. The way I see it, life's no fun if you take it too seriously. Oh My Hell!!!!!! very cool press i will have to make me one. It's difficult to explain how hard you need to press the Kydex. If they are open, put something over them to prevent air and water from coming in and out. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press . i can hear a few of you screaming at your monitor. They are quite pricey. Start with the half you did the layout on, and make the holes using a 1/4" brad point drill bit. Seal the Kydex. I've taken all of the guesswork out of making these magazine / handcuff combo carriers yourself. Duh. 2) Can I sit/push down, or set books on top of the foam setup, instead of clamping it while it cools? Instead, Im going to teach you how to make your very own Kydex sheath. This to say, the outside of the sheath will have all the curves. If you want you can substitute the Aluminum for another sheet of plywood 3/4". Made right, your knife press will feel like a butter knife in your hand. Besides a heat source, gloves, and trimming tools, one of the most basic tools to mold Kydex is a press. Knowledge and tips to give you the mental edge and prevail in any situation. For longer knives, add a few more. 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. Best practices involving up to date medical information and life saving equipment. General Knife Safety Leave it in the press for 3 or 4 minutes. I love the griddle idea. All of my measurements are precise and designed to fit your Peerless Chain, Peerless 801 Hinge, ASP Hinged, or Smith & Wesson chain cuffs perfectly. Shop the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment and hard to find tactical gear. At this point, yours should still be considerably oversized, like mine is. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! Im using a bandsaw, but for those of us who are power-tool challenged, a coping saw would work just as well. Move quick, if you let the kydex cool too much it wont form like it should. 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. Assuming both halfs of your sheath look good, lets get them stuck together! You'll see our clamps will now be used to apply pressure when using the press. 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 If you have to use an edge, make sure it is a sharp one! Not too shabby, eh? As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee nuts and screwed the pieces together tightly. Personally, i wanted a smoother look, so i turned to my 2x72 belt grinder and refined the shape a little. But before you do this, make sure you tape your blade with masking tape first. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A sheath will give you so much convenience, and also prolong the life of your knife. 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. Photo Gallery #2 These are what hold the 2 parts of the sheath together. 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. Theres a lot of reasons why making your own Kydex sheath is a great idea. 3. Im using a drill press because, hey, burn em if youve got em. So, why kydex? 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. I ran 2 Screws in each end. When Kydex is heated, it becomes soft and moldable. 2.0 1" neoprene foam 11.5 x 11.5 usaknifemaker.com. Do you sell Tek-Lok belt clips? To start, you can preheat your oven to between 200-250 degrees. For those of you that do not know, Kydex is the trade name for a propriety thermoplastic sheet. To begin, start by measuring and cutting your sheet. Book could work, if you have a lot of them. Our Master Series press also comes with (2) Allen wrenches for making press adjustments and securing set screw in tool holder. And there you have it! See more ideas about kydex, holster, kydex holster. I have bought most of my supplies from Tracy and he got them to me quick and everything was right. 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. Scribe a line around the outline of the knife, with about a 1/4" offset, like the picture. KYDEX is a forgiving material, should you have any screw ups during the molding process you can always reheat and try again. 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 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. To begin, start by measuring and cutting your sheet. Seriously though, kydex is a great choice if youve never made a sheath before because of how easy it is to work with. Step 1: Heat the Kydex Until It Has the Consistency of Wet Leather, the Griddle Does a Great Job of Heating the Kydex Evenly. 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. The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. With the KYDEX still hot, sandwich the knife between the two foam molds and clamp the entire unit down tight. 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. You will want to make sure that you keep pressure on the mold long enough for it to form correctly. 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. I leave it there until it softens enough for me to bend it around. Now you have the location for 2 holes in the right general place. I put rubber screw on chair feet to prevent sliding. All you need is some Kydex and youre good to go! The Kydex can be placed either directly on the rack or on a cookie sheet if you prefer. (no stitching required, I suck at that.) Im Ahmed, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. Most are quite expensive, coming around $80-$120. Kydex Press. I like doing this one half at a time, just to make sure everything lines up properly. 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. So take scissors or a cutter and remove all the excess Kydex. Make sure there is plenty of pressure since you are molding the Kydex. You can now use a saw to remove the excess KYDEX and shape the sheath to your liking. 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Kydex layer numero dos. For example, red and black does not go well, nor does green and black. Using one piece wrapped around the blade is the easiest way to go and it creates a more narrow, lower profile sheath. I got mine from Tandy Leather. The finished product!!! That is a gorgeous blade with a really cool handle! Top press board. Cut the belt slots 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. You need a way to heat the kydex to make it floppy. Eyelet Setter. 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. Either way, you need some way to squish the kydex to shape, 6. Official Simple Little Life video of a simple DIY Kydex Press. Does it make my butt look big? This molding foam is for use in press molding sheet materials, such as KYDEXTM, HOLSTEXTM and BoltaronTM. If you have an oven toaster, you can also use this. Now, drill 1 hole, but just one. I hope this article is of some help to those who might be interested in making their own KYDEX sheaths. If so, wed love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! 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. Now, you should have one bun for the proverbial hamburger. More foam. To use this tool, simply heat your thermoplastic material to 300-375 degrees (depending on heating time and oven used). Now, with the exception of the first 2 by the throat, the eyelet position really doesnt matter, just make it look good. The lid is clamped shut and the vacuum turned on. Thanks Tracy for the tutorial. You will use this wood to brace your kydex sheet against when pressing the release button on your wallet or card. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. Total investment? Be careful if you do, too much force on the buff will melt the kydex. Youll also need a 1/4 drill bit, preferably a brad point bit. I had lost some heat taking pictures but it will work just fine. 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 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 top is assembled in the same fashion but with only one 2x4 centered for a clamping point. 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 hot glue kept it in place well! Most people use either an oven or a heat gun. Make sure you add some space for the eyelets as well. I went a little more complicated, as I put a set of hinges to connect the top and bottom pieces. The tape will give a little breathing room for your knife in the finished product. First off, stop screaming, youre freaking out the neighbors. Using a knife is the best method for making a kydex press. Remember, the shiny side of the kydex should be touching the knife, the rough side should be facing outward. Too much sharpening can lead to stuck knives and off cuts. Before we get into the how, let me first answer the why. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. You want the .080 thick stuff, 2. Gallery 481530.jpg 98.2 KB Views: 119 481531.jpg 116.3 KB Views: 64 481532.jpg Here are the parts needed. Takes some time for the kydex to cool, the foam is a good insulator. A hacksaw could do in a pinch. They range from $75 to $150 or so, depending on the model. However, it leaves less material available for mounting hardware. If you pick up the KYDEX and its floppy, then its ready to mold. But the original idea behind what we wanted it to be is this description below:Videos on our journey to homesteading. Equipment you need for wherever your adventures in life take you. Im not going to tell you where to buy a hammer, you know where to find one, 5. Tips on staying active, fueled and ready to overcome all obstacles. 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) Once this is done, place the wrapped item in the molding press and apply pressure (chain locking optional). I pre-drilled the holes in the ends so the wood did not split. The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation. 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. Foam Layer. But for those who are unsure about which knife will be Swiss Army Vs Leatherman: 6 Astonishing Differences. Now, use your cutting implement of choice and cut along that line you traced. A quick how-to on building your own press for making Kydex holsters, sheaths, and mag carriers. We carry a full line of KYDEX presses and vacuum forming systems. Make sure to get the 8-8 eyelets, as those are just the right length for a double layer of .080 kydex, 3. 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. 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. Then cover or wrap your item with the heated material (see our video tutorials for examples). Cut the template 2. Nakiri Vs Santoku Knife: The Battle of the Japanese Knives. 6 years ago, 1) Probably. 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? Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than youll need. 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. Step 1: Tools and Materials. After that, it should be floppy. These two suggestions may not apply to all wallets, but we will discuss them here! A hand drill would work just as well. Make sure you space these holes evenly. Once the Kydex is formed, you can add your patterns or decorations! 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. The majority of holsters I use on a daily basis are either Kydex or combinations of both leather and Kydex. Great info by the way i like your gloveslol. JavaScript is disabled. Get your oven plugged in and all your gear laid out and ready. There are several options for MOLLE or belt mounting hardware including making your own out of another piece of KYDEX, this is where the Chicago screws can come in handy. Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. I chose to go with about a 1" spacing along that guideline. 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. Hows it going lads and lasses, in a previous instructable i walked you through how to make a simple cord-wrapped tactical knife. Make sure you give the eyelets some room to the edge, 1/8 to 1/4 should do. Keep the rougher sides on the outside. 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. You can use either a patterned paste or liquid adhesive to place your decorations on the Kydex. This rod will be the base of your press. With a utility knife and straight edge (two tools that I forgot to mention above), score the KYDEX and snap it off. Tools to give you the advantage over any Imminent Threats that come your way. Whaddup denizens of the internet, its ya boy guz- wait, wrong intro. Step 2: The Base I first started out by cutting my 1X3 boards and making a frame. Yours doesnt look that way, did the kydex not properly take the shape of the knife? You dont have to spend a lot of money to find a sheath that fits your knife anymore. If you are more advanced, you can switch to using the more advanced presses from above. You must log in or register to reply here. DIY Primer on How to Get Started Working with KYDEX - ITS Tactical The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation What to Keep in Your Aid Bag Can a 7-Year-Old Vehicle Bag Stand Up to Texas Heat? It is a hard material, one that you cant bend easily. What the devil is that?!" Not only will this look better, but it will also make your Kydex sheath stronger. I connected them this way because I plan on making knife sheaths. However, what makes Kydex so useful is that unlike plastics, Kydex doesnt off gas toxic fumes at forming temperatures. Aspiring chefs who are getting around to learning more about Japanese knives will appreciate how they can improve your overall culinary skills. First, cut a small piece of leather about one inch long and about half an inch wide. Hole-making device. Doing the first 2 holes like this helps to keep everything lined up like it should be. Then use the hydraulic press to press down on the Kydex and blade. Do the gloves come free with purchase?,.. The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. What is a cheap wood vise? Disclaimer As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Do you have access to a Black and Decker Workmate? This process can take a few moments or days, depending on how much you update your creation. 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. Place your Kydex sheets in at 250 degrees for ten minutes. I've considered doing videos, but unfortunately my recording equipment (read that as phone) isn't up to par, maybe in the future though! This is one side repeat for the other side. glad you enjoyed it mate! Its a lot easier than most people think. Sharpie, preferably red. I was not real sure about the hinge part but that is a simple awesome way. Attach these boards to a cheap wood vise and you have your Kydex press for under $30. Many people use YouTube or Youtube videos to help guide them into the world of making them. So, what do we need for this, youre probably asking. 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. 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. Don't worry these are 3" screws I later went back and put in 2 1/2" screws and the no longer stick out. It also comes with a 3-piece hardened ram set that will assist with pin flaring and other shop chores (see image). Now walk away and let it cool. Cutting tool (not pictured). Knife Terminology Anyway, now that the kydex is nice and malleable, move it to the press the exact same way as before. There are many ways to use the press, and only a little woodworking experience is needed to make one yourself. This impression wasn't all that crisp. Thanks for posting. Layer of Kydex. All you need is some curved, beveled kydex tubing and you are ready to go. 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The KYDEX Taco Holster press is similar in design to a book press. Either I would not add a hinge, or I would make the hinge adjustable. The handle is attached on the top so the you can maneuver it when needed. 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. Double up a couple layers and glue them to some boards. Notice the Aluminum is sandwiched between for rigidity. Once your Kydex is sealed, all theres left to do is trim it. 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. Thanks BD. Step 1: Cut the Kydex Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than you'll need. Ive seen that. Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend.