Kydex does not have a memory, so that once it has cooled; it retains the shape it was molded to fit. 3. If you would like to make your own, there are many places to find help online and in DIY shops. Also the size of the piece your molding will impact on your heat source. Many popular makers use this simple machine to start making products. 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 (no stitching required, I suck at that.) Nakiri Vs Santoku Knife: The Battle of the Japanese Knives. Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. The tape will give a little breathing room for your knife in the finished product. I voted for you I think. I wouldnt say that Kydex is better than leather. It really depends on the thickness of the Kydex your working with. Subscribe to Simple Little Life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUSz. Contrast this to a 'taco" style sheath, which is made like a taco. Too much sharpening can lead to stuck knives and off cuts. I have bought most of my supplies from Tracy and he got them to me quick and everything was right. It works, just not that great. "Thermowhatsit? boy you made that look easy. Personally, i wanted a smoother look, so i turned to my 2x72 belt grinder and refined the shape a little. A rubber mallet may also prove useful! This is to show proper assembly. When it comes to multi-tools there are only two brands to seriously consider the Swiss Army knife (the original multi-tool) and the tools from Leatherman. A quick how-to on building your own press for making Kydex holsters, sheaths, and mag carriers. Do you have access to a Black and Decker Workmate? The materials are pretty simple for this kydex press. We recommend starting with a KYDEX Molding Press. I put rubber screw on chair feet to prevent sliding. If you are using a smooth, soft leather such as peau dorange, then it is recommended that you choose a texture that has some line-work or lining. I made mine to follow the profile of the knife, pretty easy to do. This will morph the flat sheets into the shape of the knife. Great tutorial Tracy!!! Make sure it is the same size and thickness as the first one! 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! Color wise, there are some colors that do not work with each other. A hand drill would work just as well. i need to buy all the tools from you to do the rivots you need to make a kit. That is so you can get a screw driver in to tighten the chicago screw that mounts the clip to the sheath. You'll see our clamps will now be used to apply pressure when using the press. Again, making a Kydex sheath is a lot easier than you may think. This may seem overly generous, but the materials cheap and while you can always cut some off later, you cant add it. Total investment? When youre ready to make your first kydex press, the first thing to do is find a steel rod. (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.) Just simply slide your foam in between the top and bottom and your done! Youve now got a very functional knife sheath, ready for whatever you can throw at it. Step 1 Heat the Kydex. Its rigid and strong, but when heated it becomes pliable. JavaScript is disabled. A rubber mallet may also prove useful! Im using a bandsaw, but for those of us who are power-tool challenged, a coping saw would work just as well. 8. Shop the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment and hard to find tactical gear. Either way, they must be the same length! However, it leaves less material available for mounting hardware. Disclaimer As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. I went with it because it seemed to be a material I could work with easily. Put an eyelet in the second hole, then proceed to drill the rest. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. An avid outdoorsman, shooter, fly fisherman and fellow connoisseur of BOSS Coffee! The Aluminum is acting as a skeleton and giving structural support. Now, drill 1 hole, but just one. 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. Get the stack assembled and get some pressure on it. Specifications Master Series Flaring Press 22 LBS Pre-Tapped Set Screw = Yes (for holding top die) It's what you use under your sleeping bag. For this I used a belt sander, it removes the burs and can be used for final shaping of the KYDEX. Did you make this project? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'knifepulse_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');To make a Kydex sheath, you will need: With these, you are ready to start making your Kydex sheath. Im using a toaster oven, but a regular over or a heat gun would work as well, 7. 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. As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee nuts and screwed the pieces together tightly. Nor do you have to leave your knife out in the open, exposed to all the elements. You can now use a saw to remove the excess KYDEX and shape the sheath to your liking. It will continue to soften up to about 390 degrees, but it will burn at 400 degrees. Notice the Aluminum is sandwiched between for rigidity. Do you sell Tek-Lok belt clips? Chemically formulated for low memory artifacts with durability to last longer. Official Simple Little Life video of a simple DIY Kydex Press. Thanks for posting. Knife. That is no surprise when you look at the benefits of Kydex. Yours doesnt look that way, did the kydex not properly take the shape of the knife? You can go up to about 300 degrees, but best to start low. This only takes 30 seconds. Place your Kydex sheets in at 250 degrees for ten minutes. To use this tool, simply heat your thermoplastic material to 300-375 degrees (depending on heating time and oven used). 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. At least until I got enough skill to try more complicated gun holsters. 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? While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press . This is one side repeat for the other side. Im always trying to improve my cleaning and sharpening process, and always on the hunt for the next best knife. -------------- The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. Use keywords to find the product you are looking for. 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. Skills we advocate to get you through anything life throws at you. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Double up a couple layers and glue them to some boards. Lay your knife onto your kydex, then trace a line around the profile, leaving about 1.25" between the line and the knife. Click here to view the full KYDEX photo set on Flickr. You should make a YouTube video. Yes, this is necessary. All you need is some Kydex and youre good to go! Also, before you press, make sure the shiny sides of your Kydex sheets are on the inside of the sandwich. 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. If not, leave it in there longer. 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? Wrap it and press in another piece of metal to form the bend. 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. I got mine from Tandy Leather. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! A sheath will give you so much convenience, and also prolong the life of your knife. One of the few specialized tools you need, but well worth the $10. You must log in or register to reply here. It should flex easy, under its own weight. At the very least i recommend using some sandpaper to smooth the rough edges, they can be a little rough from the saw cut. Hybrid Holster Making Kit w/Cowhide Leather Backer - (KYDEX) - (Black) - (Medium) - (RH), QLH - Holster Molding Prop - for Glock 19/23/32 (Butterfly). This way, its easy to slip your knife in and out of the sheath. I ran 2 Screws in each end. There are many different ones, so let your creativity take you! Participated in the Knives and Blades Challenge. The best part? 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. The hardest thing to come by was the foam ,I found some knealing pads at a farm co-op near my work they sell them for milking cows they were $2 each but you could get some at any store with a garden center at a higher cost. Not too shabby, eh? Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. Once you press, keep it that way for about 10 minutes. Kydex is a thermoforming plastic made for use in gun holsters and knife sheaths. So, why kydex? To begin, start by measuring and cutting your sheet. The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. Step 2: The Base I first started out by cutting my 1X3 boards and making a frame. Now that the sheath is roughed out you can sand down the burs. Reply Does it make my butt look big? Now that youve got that line laid out, cut to it. Whelp, its a short list: 1. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. 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. Anyway, now that the kydex is nice and malleable, move it to the press the exact same way as before. 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. So cut two pieces a little bigger than the blade itself. Hammer. 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. Now, technically, if you work the saw right, this is your last step. The kydex press is a pretty basic tool that most people make use of. If it doesnt, increase the heat to 275, wait 10 more minutes and try again. All you need is some curved, beveled kydex tubing and you are ready to go. Please do not put any dangerous materials in your Kydex due to the risk of fire or burn formation. I really recommend this one in particular, it works better than the others ive tried, 4. You will use this wood to brace your kydex sheet against when pressing the release button on your wallet or card. But before you do this, make sure you tape your blade with masking tape first. I had lost some heat taking pictures but it will work just fine. They offer KYDEX in various colors and thicknesses. See more ideas about kydex, holster, kydex holster. Usually grips over a larger surface area than a regular viseyou want that to put as even pressure as possible over the length of the sheath. Get your oven plugged in and all your gear laid out and ready. I pre-drilled the holes in the ends so the wood did not split. Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. Rounded over the corners, beveled the edges, got rid of anything that could snag, made sure the knife slid securely. Kit Instructions Learn more about joining our Community as a Crew Leader. Then take your eyelet, eyelet setter, and hammer, and get to work. I chose to go with about a 1" spacing along that guideline. With bare hands, it could be too hot to handle. Sharpie, preferably red. Once you open your Kydex press, youll find that the Kydex has shapeshifted into a sheath. I want the special protective taped index finger and thumb vent kind . glad you enjoyed it mate! And it isnt easy to buy a sheath that fits either since every blade is different. That is a gorgeous blade with a really cool handle! At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. Basic Knife History Im always trying to improve my cleaning and sharpening process, and always on the hunt for the next best knife. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. Okay.I'm making a new rig for my CCW piece. Many offer free tutorials or just show you how to get started. If so, wed love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! Kydex is usually sold in 8x12 sheets, so the price for the kydex would be the same on a longer blade. Either way, you need some way to squish the kydex to shape, 6. 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. Form the kydex 4. Don't worry these are 3" screws I later went back and put in 2 1/2" screws and the no longer stick out. 6. If you stop here, youll have quite an ugly sheath. The next step is to drill the holes for the rivets and mounting hardware. I will in a few weeks. Sandwich your knife in between the two hot pieces of Kydex and press! When you press the tip of the knife into the kydex, it should be grinded to a point. Take your piece of KYDEX and lay it flat on a work bench. At 320-degrees Fahrenheit, the Kydex will soften and you will be able to work with it effectively. Then use the hydraulic press to press down on the Kydex and blade. This molding foam is for use in press molding sheet materials, such as KYDEXTM, HOLSTEXTM and BoltaronTM. [flickrset id=72157625796975779 thumbnail=square overlay=true size=large]. JavaScript is disabled. 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. Most people use either an oven or a heat gun. If it is wider or thinner, add more material to make it match. Now to use them. The way I see it, life's no fun if you take it too seriously. No issues, heat it back up and try again, kydex is awesome like that! First things first, you need to decide where to put the holes (teehee, puns). Dont trim it to the exact size yet. 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. Amateur Bladesmith, hobbiest woodworker, and a bloody good cook, Mobile Workshop Sink With Easy DIY Parts Washer. I leave it there until it softens enough for me to bend it around. 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. Something I have noticed gun guys is that we all have a box of old holsters. It only takes 5 easy steps to do this. Its a lot easier than most people think. Now, with the exception of the first 2 by the throat, the eyelet position really doesnt matter, just make it look good. 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 This is one side repeat for the other side. All Rights Reserved. Here are the parts needed. Kydex is not the only plastic compound that has this property. Second off, thermoforming means you get it hot, it gets flexible and you can bend it to shape. We carry a full line of KYDEX presses and vacuum forming systems. The majority of holsters I use on a daily basis are either Kydex or combinations of both leather and Kydex. Editor-in-Chiefs Note:Please join us in welcoming Justin Spindler as a contributing author on ITS Tactical! So cut two pieces a little bigger than the blade itself. The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. If you want you can substitute the Aluminum for another sheet of plywood 3/4". Technology for understanding the digital world and mitigating electronic threats. Once this is done, place the wrapped item in the molding press and apply pressure (chain locking optional). 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. Once your first layer is completely dry, it is time to add your second one. The order is - 1. Make sure you space these holes evenly. 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. The disk must also be folded over in order for the pressure to apply. Cut the belt slots For those of you that do not know, Kydex is the trade name for a propriety thermoplastic sheet. For one, every knife needs a sheath. Awesome Instructable! However, it is a lot cheaper and easier to make a sheath with. 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. Gallery 481530.jpg 98.2 KB Views: 119 481531.jpg 116.3 KB Views: 64 481532.jpg Show more Show more Shop the Simple Little Life store The lid is clamped shut and the vacuum turned on. Once your Kydex is sealed, all theres left to do is trim it. Especially on a behind-the-back sheath, it's a good idea to have wider lips because you can't see to sheath. Often I use a goodwill toaster oven. Tip 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. Many people use YouTube or Youtube videos to help guide them into the world of making them. 2009-2023 ITS Tactical // Imminent Threat Solutions. 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. However, what makes Kydex so useful is that unlike plastics, Kydex doesnt off gas toxic fumes at forming temperatures. After that, it should be floppy. You can get a short length of steel rod, or you can buy extra long ones to make more presses. These can be paper, yarn, fabric, and/or materials such as wood or ceramic. You can put weights on top to do this, or use clamps to hold it shut. You do not need special presses or machines to press your material. During the molding process, you'll use your hands and fingers to manipulate the hot Kydex. 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. But the original idea behind what we wanted it to be is this description below:Videos on our journey to homesteading. 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. Also, by being connected, it gives me more leverage for clamping. You need a way to heat the kydex to make it floppy. Here is the bottom. Here are the parts needed. Maybe $30 in startup costs, $4 a sheath after that if even, and less than an hour of time . *razor knife *oven/heat gun *foam padding (medium stiff) *large, flat, stiff object (book, board, etc.) Bottom press board. I've taken all of the guesswork out of making these magazine / handcuff combo carriers yourself. The secret is to heat it up first. Bend the wings 9. 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. Kydex needs to be heated up before it becomes pliable enough to shape and mold. 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. After about ten minutes you can remove the sheath from the mold. Pressing is a great way to make money as a beginner maker. Here again, amazon, ebay, etc. The order is -. It also comes with a 3-piece hardened ram set that will assist with pin flaring and other shop chores (see image). Most are quite expensive, coming around $80-$120. The KYDEX Taco Holster press is similar in design to a book press. Now you have the location for 2 holes in the right general place.