Make sure you add some space for the eyelets as well. It only takes 5 easy steps to do this. I went a little more complicated, as I put a set of hinges to connect the top and bottom pieces. DIY Primer on How to Get Started Working with KYDEX Cut the belt slots 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. These materials will protect your hard work from accidental presses and releases. Gallery 481530.jpg 98.2 KB Views: 119 481531.jpg 116.3 KB Views: 64 481532.jpg Drilling the belt clip. You will want to make sure that you keep pressure on the mold long enough for it to form correctly. You dont need to invest in special machines to build one of these. Make your own Adjustable Kydex Magazine / Handcuff Combo Carrier. I chose to go with about a 1" spacing along that guideline. Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. They offer KYDEX in various colors and thicknesses. Don't worry these are 3" screws I later went back and put in 2 1/2" screws and the no longer stick out. I also countersunk the screw heads so they are flush with the plywood. Leather/Kydex Holster : 10 Steps - Instructables *razor knife *oven/heat gun *foam padding (medium stiff) *large, flat, stiff object (book, board, etc.) Make the mold using the knife and leather, Use your press to make custom kydex sheaths. Today, we arent going to buy a sheath. 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. Step 1: Tools and Materials. The tape will give a little breathing room for your knife in the finished product. Not only will this look better, but it will also make your Kydex sheath stronger. Built your press, and bought a griddle. what kind of foam and where can i get it. KYDEX Molding Presses & Kydex Press Foam | Holster Making Press Once this is done, place the wrapped item in the molding press and apply pressure (chain locking optional). In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. The suction will force the material to mold itself around the gun mold. 15 Kydex press & Holster Making ideas | kydex, holster, kydex holster Even if you dont have the tools, the other benefit of kydex is just how cheap it is to work with. 2) Can I sit/push down, or set books on top of the foam setup, instead of clamping it while it cools? 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. Knowledge and tips to give you the mental edge and prevail in any situation. For longer knives, add a few more. Work on one eyelet at a time. Amazon.com : 2 Sheets of Sheath/Holster Making Foam - Thermoform The Kydex can be placed either directly on the rack or on a cookie sheet if you prefer. The Kepler Cardigan from PDW: Versatile Adventurer Insulation. Seriously, youre done. Get your oven plugged in and all your gear laid out and ready. Why not something like leather? When youre ready to make your first kydex press, the first thing to do is find a steel rod. Also, by being connected, it gives me more leverage for clamping. Start with the half you did the layout on, and make the holes using a 1/4" brad point drill bit. 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. 7. Its a lot easier than most people think. Leave it in the press for 3 or 4 minutes. Kydex needs to be heated up before it becomes pliable enough to shape and mold. Anyway, move over to your toaster oven and set it to 250 degrees, then pop both kydex pieces in for about 10 minutes. This only takes 30 seconds. Bend the wings 9. Use your heat gun to heat the KYDEX until it becomes pliable. So cut two pieces a little bigger than the blade itself. 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 You dont have to spend a lot of money to find a sheath that fits your knife anymore. The way to do this is to make the mold half-way through the process of shaping your leather. Its rigid and strong, but when heated it becomes pliable. Takes some time for the kydex to cool, the foam is a good insulator. Whelp, its a short list: 1. Hammer. 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. Click here to view the full KYDEX photo set on Flickr. Kydex is a thermoforming plastic made for use in gun holsters and knife sheaths. Now to use them. Many popular makers use this simple machine to start making products. More foam. This impression wasn't all that crisp. All of my measurements are precise and designed to fit your Peerless Chain, Peerless 801 Hinge, ASP Hinged, or Smith & Wesson chain cuffs perfectly. Consult the pictures for more detail on how it should look. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. This is one side repeat for the other side. Many people make their presses by buying one at a gun store or hunting supply store, but you can also find them online. What I do is cut two pieces of Kydex sheet, then attach them together to form the sheath. For this I used a belt sander, it removes the burs and can be used for final shaping of the KYDEX. Standing head and shoulders above all Im James, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. You made it so simple and that jsut cleared up all my questions. To use this tool, simply heat your thermoplastic material to 300-375 degrees (depending on heating time and oven used). 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. Pressing is a great way to make money as a beginner maker. Its cheap, rugged, non-marring of your guns finish, moldable for good retention, smooth for a consistent draw, and does not react to normal temperatures or gun solvents or oils. Now that youve got that line laid out, cut to it. Alright, youve got 2 halves now, time to stick em together to make a whole! Thanks for posting. Once you open your Kydex press, youll find that the Kydex has shapeshifted into a sheath. 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. You should also have your Vice/C-Clamps and Foam Press within arms reach. When you first get ahold of Kydex, you might wonder how you are supposed to shape this. 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. The KYDEX Taco Holster press is similar in design to a book press. Then, using the knife, spread the leather slightly apart and down until you have created a hollow space where your mold will go. 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. 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. (no stitching required, I suck at that.) These substances could damage the Kydex and cause it to collapse upon itself. After about ten minutes you can remove the sheath from the mold. Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. Place your Kydex sheets in at 250 degrees for ten minutes. You want the .080 thick stuff, 2. 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 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. It could affect the molding of the kydex. We recommend starting with a KYDEX Molding Press. Share it with us! Make sure to get the 8-8 eyelets, as those are just the right length for a double layer of .080 kydex, 3. I apologize for the poor video quality, this was done with m. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Ive seen that. Then, mark where one side of the press meets one edge of the hollow space to create a guide for removing the press later. Did you make this project? Most people use either an oven or a heat gun. That is no surprise when you look at the benefits of Kydex. Instead, Im going to teach you how to make your very own Kydex sheath. The disk must also be folded over in order for the pressure to apply. Nakiri Vs Santoku Knife: The Battle of the Japanese Knives. With the KYDEX still hot, sandwich the knife between the two foam molds and clamp the entire unit down tight. Once you open your Kydex press, youll find that the Kydex has shapeshifted into a sheath. Being a DIY enthusiast, it did not take me long to want to try my hand at molding Kydex. Thanks a bunch for the tutorial, Tracy. going to build that tomorrow. Be sure to check out his great photos on Flickr! 8. glad you enjoyed it mate! Notice the Aluminum is sandwiched between for rigidity. Shape the kydex 5. Voodoo Resins - Handle Scale Set - Absinthe - Luminescent - (6.0 x 2.0 x .250), Elite Survival Systems - Belt Slide Holster - Size 8 - Left Hand. Reply 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? What kind of foam for kydex press? | Candle Power Flashlight Forum Homemade Vacuum Press Table | LumberJocks Woodworking Forum Nor do you have to leave your knife out in the open, exposed to all the elements. Rounded over the corners, beveled the edges, got rid of anything that could snag, made sure the knife slid securely. However, it leaves less material available for mounting hardware. 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. I will in a few weeks. Editor-in-Chiefs Note:Please join us in welcoming Justin Spindler as a contributing author on ITS Tactical! Take your piece of KYDEX and lay it flat on a work bench. 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. Kydex Rotating Knife Sheath : 17 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables I use a $20 Walmart griddle to heat the kydex, its easy and cheap. This molding foam is for use in press molding sheet materials, such as KYDEXTM, HOLSTEXTM and BoltaronTM. First, make sure the back of your first press is flush with the back of your new one. The majority of holsters I use on a daily basis are either Kydex or combinations of both leather and Kydex. Ask Question Download Step 2: I Try to Place Everything Correctly and Close the Press Within 15 Seconds. Rough-cut the leather 6. Eyelet Setter. Again, making a Kydex sheath is a lot easier than you may think. Then cover or wrap your item with the heated material (see our video tutorials for examples). Step 1: Heat the Kydex Until It Has the Consistency of Wet Leather, the Griddle Does a Great Job of Heating the Kydex Evenly. Experiment. Make sure there is plenty of pressure since you are molding the Kydex. DIY Kydex Press - YouTube See more ideas about kydex, holster, kydex holster. All Rights Reserved. The hot glue kept it in place well! You must log in or register to reply here. I've considered doing videos, but unfortunately my recording equipment (read that as phone) isn't up to par, maybe in the future though! Information on news, history and events both inside ITS and throughout the world. Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives. If you stop here, youll have quite an ugly sheath. Now you have the location for 2 holes in the right general place. Building a Kydex press and making a Kydex Sheath Tutorial What I do is cut two pieces of Kydex sheet, then attach them together to form the sheath. Voting on the iOS app is a little weird. Okay.I'm making a new rig for my CCW piece. Im Ahmed, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. I love the griddle idea. There are many different ones, so let your creativity take you! Doing the first 2 holes like this helps to keep everything lined up like it should be. If you pick up the KYDEX and its floppy, then its ready to mold. The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. Often I use a goodwill toaster oven. Do the gloves come free with purchase?,.. 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. It works, just not that great. This will morph the flat sheets into the shape of the knife. 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. 2.0 1" neoprene foam 11.5 x 11.5 usaknifemaker.com. So cut two pieces a little bigger than the blade itself. Here is the back of the sheath with the clip mounted. Now, use your cutting implement of choice and cut along that line you traced. 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. Kydex layer numero dos. Just make sure you dont burn your Kydex in the process! 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. That is so you can get a screw driver in to tighten the chicago screw that mounts the clip to the sheath. Get the stack assembled and get some pressure on it. As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee nuts and screwed the pieces together tightly. You should make a YouTube video. You can go up to about 300 degrees, but best to start low. 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. 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. 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. They are quite pricey. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press . You can put weights on top to do this, or use clamps to hold it shut. Now, mark out the spots for the rest of the eyelets. At the very least i recommend using some sandpaper to smooth the rough edges, they can be a little rough from the saw cut. 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.) The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. With bare hands, it could be too hot to handle. Kydex press (from knifekits.com) Rivet Press (I prefer the hand set tools) The steps to make this holster are: 1. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! I see the idea of wood vise. This is to show proper assembly. 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. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. Can a 7-Year-Old Vehicle Bag Stand Up to Texas Heat? The next step is to drill the holes for the rivets and mounting hardware. I like doing this one half at a time, just to make sure everything lines up properly. Kydex Press. But before you do this, make sure you tape your blade with masking tape first. 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. You do not need special presses or machines to press your material. The order is - 1. Dont trim it to the exact size yet. At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. 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. Awesome Instructable! 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. I have bought most of my supplies from Tracy and he got them to me quick and everything was right. Knife. Something I have noticed gun guys is that we all have a box of old holsters. Form the kydex 4. Amateur Bladesmith, hobbiest woodworker, and a bloody good cook, Mobile Workshop Sink With Easy DIY Parts Washer. The Aluminum is acting as a skeleton and giving structural support. Remember, the shiny side of the kydex should be touching the knife, the rough side should be facing outward. What do you think? Layer of Kydex. So take scissors or a cutter and remove all the excess Kydex. How to make a kydex holster/sheath press - B+C Guides Please do not put any dangerous materials in your Kydex due to the risk of fire or burn formation. 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. 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. Too much sharpening can lead to stuck knives and off cuts. 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. Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives. boy you made that look easy. Press the Kydex. The disk must be struck with enough force to break, or fold over. For example, red and black does not go well, nor does green and black. 9. If you do, theres a chance your cut will end up too small. 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. That is a gorgeous blade with a really cool handle! It's what you use under your sleeping bag. Holster Making - Tools | KnifeKits.com The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. You are using an out of date browser. Kinda like spagetti, but, you know, not. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. You will love it! You can find this stuff on amazon, ebay, knifemaking supply places, even tandy leather has it. This is one side repeat for the other side. 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. Really though, I recommend clamps. Yours doesnt look that way, did the kydex not properly take the shape of the knife? I want the special protective taped index finger and thumb vent kind . 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. But for those who are unsure about which knife will be Swiss Army Vs Leatherman: 6 Astonishing Differences. Place your leather in the hollow space and wrap it securely in place with more leather. 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 Remember that the knife should be in the sheath as you do this. This may seem overly generous, but the materials cheap and while you can always cut some off later, you cant add it. Cutting tool (not pictured). I went with it because it seemed to be a material I could work with easily. No issues, heat it back up and try again, kydex is awesome like that! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. However, it is a lot cheaper and easier to make a sheath with. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Now, you should have one bun for the proverbial hamburger. Official Simple Little Life video of a simple DIY Kydex Press. In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. Also the size of the piece your molding will impact on your heat source. When choosing leather for the mold, two main things must be considered. Total investment? Hole-making device. If you have to use an edge, make sure it is a sharp one! Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. This is a short how to article for anyone interested in working with KYDEX. It will continue to soften up to about 390 degrees, but it will burn at 400 degrees. Especially on a behind-the-back sheath, it's a good idea to have wider lips because you can't see to sheath. Thanks Tracy for the tutorial. Then use the hydraulic press to press down on the Kydex and blade. First, cut a small piece of leather about one inch long and about half an inch wide. Kydex is especially pliable while heated. 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? All you need is some Kydex and youre good to go! The lid is clamped shut and the vacuum turned on. Techniques to help you prepare your transportation and enhance your travels. Knife Terminology Most are quite expensive, coming around $80-$120. Book could work, if you have a lot of them. Theres a lot of reasons why making your own Kydex sheath is a great idea. Simply glue the two pieces of sheath making foam to the two pieces of plywood, allow to dry and there you have it. If you're not careful, you might end up scorching more than just the plastic. Ditto with the eyelets. Make sure the neck and mouth of your first press are closed so that nothing gets leaked out. How do you know where to put the eyelets? Maybe $30 in startup costs, $4 a sheath after that if even, and less than an hour of time . I should mention here, if you dont have my patented Heat-Proof Hands, wear some thin cotton gloves to protect yourself. I really recommend this one in particular, it works better than the others ive tried, 4. 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 had lost some heat taking pictures but it will work just fine. 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. Without it, your Kydex may get deformed.
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