Knife Terminology The kydex really fits this knife's style quite well! *razor knife *oven/heat gun *foam padding (medium stiff) *large, flat, stiff object (book, board, etc.) Here they are: I do not. First, make sure the back of your first press is flush with the back of your new one. But the original idea behind what we wanted it to be is this description below:Videos on our journey to homesteading. I don't have any foam to sell you today. Fun With KYDEX!!! : 7 Steps - Instructables You are using an out of date browser. I will in a few weeks. You can put weights on top to do this, or use clamps to hold it shut. It's a vice with jaws that are padded in order to hold lumber without denting it. 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. KYDEX is a forgiving material, should you have any screw ups during the molding process you can always reheat and try again. CKK KYDEX Eyelet Flaring Press - Master Series - For KYDEX Sheath Experiment. I'm building one this week. This is one side repeat for the other side. If so, wed love to have you as a Crew Leader by joining our annual membership! Here again, amazon, ebay, etc. So, why kydex? Step 1: Tools and Materials. Take your leather puncher and put holes where you need it. I leave it there until it softens enough for me to bend it around. 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. Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. Kydex Press. First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. The plywood will do that to a certain extent; however, if you have all of the pressure on one spot at the point where a narrow vice's jaws meet, you could have quite a bit less pressure the farther away from the meeting point. Oh My Hell!!!!!! Doing the first 2 holes like this helps to keep everything lined up like it should be. What is a cheap wood vise? Once youve got that all attached, meet me at the saw! It could affect the molding of the kydex. There are some sites that list these colors so that you can find ones that work for you. For longer knives, add a few more. I like doing this one half at a time, just to make sure everything lines up properly. Equipment you need for wherever your adventures in life take you. 4. In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press . The order is -. Sharpie, preferably red. Did you make this project? 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. Awesome Instructable! You can get a short length of steel rod, or you can buy extra long ones to make more presses. Show more Show more Shop the Simple Little Life store Homemade Kydex Press? | BladeForums.com I should mention here, if you dont have my patented Heat-Proof Hands, wear some thin cotton gloves to protect yourself. There are many different ones, so let your creativity take you! However, it is a lot cheaper and easier to make a sheath with. What kind of foam for kydex press? | Candle Power Flashlight Forum 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. Chosen for its high performance in the fabrication process; not only does it produce more detail in formed parts, it can be used on both sides but of its skin. Our Master Series press also comes with (2) Allen wrenches for making press adjustments and securing set screw in tool holder. These materials will protect your hard work from accidental presses and releases. Great info by the way i like your gloveslol. Hows it going lads and lasses, in a previous instructable i walked you through how to make a simple cord-wrapped tactical knife. Heat it on high setting moving the heat gun constantly. 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. The next step is to drill the holes for the rivets and mounting hardware. If they are open, put something over them to prevent air and water from coming in and out. Drilling the belt clip. What I do is cut two pieces of Kydex sheet, then attach them together to form the sheath. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Work on one eyelet at a time. You do not need special presses or machines to press your material. JavaScript is disabled. Now that youve got that line laid out, cut to it. Book could work, if you have a lot of them. 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. Simply glue the two pieces of sheath making foam to the two pieces of plywood, allow to dry and there you have it. i can hear a few of you screaming at your monitor. 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. (DIY) How to Make a Kydex Sheath - 5 Easy Steps | Knife Pulse 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. Dont skip this part, its a lot easier to find out a piece is undersize now, rather than when its hot and floppy. 8 Steps. Holster Making Presses & Forming Supplies | KYDEX Molding Press It is low cost and easy to learn. Using one piece wrapped around the blade is the easiest way to go and it creates a more narrow, lower profile sheath. If you want you can substitute the Aluminum for another sheet of plywood 3/4". The hot glue kept it in place well! While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press (or makeshift press). The KYDEX Taco Press | 1-Piece Holster Presses and Thermoform M For this I used a belt sander, it removes the burs and can be used for final shaping of the KYDEX. 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. Shop the ITS Store for exclusive merchandise, equipment and hard to find tactical gear. Start with the half you did the layout on, and make the holes using a 1/4" brad point drill bit. Basic Knife History 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. Chemically formulated for low memory artifacts with durability to last longer. Step 1: Cut the Kydex Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than you'll need. Make sure you add some space for the eyelets as well. At the very least i recommend using some sandpaper to smooth the rough edges, they can be a little rough from the saw cut. You have almost everything you need to make this in your house! 15 Kydex press & Holster Making ideas | kydex, holster, kydex holster Do the gloves come free with purchase?,.. You should also have your Vice/C-Clamps and Foam Press within arms reach. 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. 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). Just simply slide your foam in between the top and bottom and your done! Since the padding touching the hot kydex has "give", you want as large a surface area of pressure that you can get so that you have as much force against the entire area of the sheath without crushing anything. Maybe $30 in startup costs, $4 a sheath after that if even, and less than an hour of time . Im using a drill press because, hey, burn em if youve got em. Now that the sheath is roughed out you can sand down the burs. Reply Before we get into the how, let me first answer the why. Holster Making - Tools | KnifeKits.com Click the Learn More button below for details. Takes some time for the kydex to cool, the foam is a good insulator. Kydex is not the only plastic compound that has this property. Get the stack assembled and get some pressure on it. Also the size of the piece your molding will impact on your heat source. At ITS, our goal is to foster a community dedicated to learning methods, ideas and knowledge that could save your life. 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. The majority of holsters I use on a daily basis are either Kydex or combinations of both leather and Kydex. Use your clamps to hold the frame together while drilling the holes. Please do not put any dangerous materials in your Kydex due to the risk of fire or burn formation. 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 Using a knife is the best method for making a kydex press. Built your press, and bought a griddle. You will use this wood to brace your kydex sheet against when pressing the release button on your wallet or card. You need a way to heat the kydex to make it floppy. I put rubber screw on chair feet to prevent sliding. Here are the parts needed. 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. How to Build a Homemade Kydex Press | Tennessee Gun It's what you use under your sleeping bag. Leather/Kydex Holster : 10 Steps - Instructables All of my measurements are precise and designed to fit your Peerless Chain, Peerless 801 Hinge, ASP Hinged, or Smith & Wesson chain cuffs perfectly. I've taken all of the guesswork out of making these magazine / handcuff combo carriers yourself. But for those who are unsure about which knife will be Swiss Army Vs Leatherman: 6 Astonishing Differences. Standing head and shoulders above all Im James, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013, Proudly managed inthe great state of Texas. Knife. Place your leather in the hollow space and wrap it securely in place with more leather. Even if you dont have the tools, the other benefit of kydex is just how cheap it is to work with. Without it, your Kydex may get deformed. The Aluminum is acting as a skeleton and giving structural support. An avid outdoorsman, shooter, fly fisherman and fellow connoisseur of BOSS Coffee! You will love it! Foam Layer. Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives. Here are the parts needed. You'll see our clamps will now be used to apply pressure when using the press. 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. 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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. 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.