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. Ive owned several types of knives and sharpeners over the last few years and have become obsessed with everything to do with knives. This may seem overly generous, but the materials cheap and while you can always cut some off later, you cant add it. Thanks BD. 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. 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. KYDEX is a forgiving material, should you have any screw ups during the molding process you can always reheat and try again. Kydex. 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.) In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. 15 Kydex press & Holster Making ideas | kydex, holster, kydex holster If you want you can substitute the Aluminum for another sheet of plywood 3/4". I bet that works great! First things first, do a dry run at the press, just to make sure everything fits properly. 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. You want the .080 thick stuff, 2. Kydex is especially pliable while heated. For example, red and black does not go well, nor does green and black. First off, stop screaming, youre freaking out the neighbors. 6. Once the Kydex is formed, you can add your patterns or decorations! However, it is a lot cheaper and easier to make a sheath with. Now that you have the locations marked, time to make some holes. DIY Primer on How to Get Started Working with KYDEX Today, we arent going to buy a sheath. The order is - 1. Most Kydex sheets are quite big, bigger than youll need. Seriously though, kydex is a great choice if youve never made a sheath before because of how easy it is to work with. You will use this wood to brace your kydex sheet against when pressing the release button on your wallet or card. First, make sure the back of your first press is flush with the back of your new one. Hole-making device. To start, you can preheat your oven to between 200-250 degrees. Again, making a Kydex sheath is a lot easier than you may think. A rubber mallet may also prove useful! The 2x4's will act as feet for the bottom. Kydex is not the only plastic compound that has this property. Heat it on high setting moving the heat gun constantly. Make sure there is plenty of pressure since you are molding the Kydex. At this point, yours should still be considerably oversized, like mine is. Kydex Press. Many offer free tutorials or just show you how to get started. I'd stopped doing them because of my press sucking, and my wife hating the smell in her oven. A hacksaw could do in a pinch. Theres a lot of reasons why making your own Kydex sheath is a great idea. 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. Tip As you can see I drilled 3 holes and placed the tee nuts and screwed the pieces together tightly. There are many different ones, so let your creativity take you! Dont let any of that fool you though, just because its cheap doesnt mean its crap. Medical Bag Updates: Repacking & Maintaining Over the Counter Medications Go-To Preparedness Bags and Food Selections Luckily, we have a few tips to make your second press perfect! The two Kydex sheets are now stuck together, but they need to be sealed. Molding the belt clip is simple. I will sometimes lay down a 3/16" thick piece of felt to slightly conforum the back. Most are quite expensive, coming around $80-$120. Knowledge Base. It consists of a hard, disk-like material that you place inside your hand and where the pressure is applied against. Anyway, move over to your toaster oven and set it to 250 degrees, then pop both kydex pieces in for about 10 minutes. 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 layer numero dos. Once your Kydex is sealed, all theres left to do is trim it. I connected them this way because I plan on making knife sheaths. Information on news, history and events both inside ITS and throughout the world. But the original idea behind what we wanted it to be is this description below:Videos on our journey to homesteading. 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. Make sure you space these holes evenly. I want the special protective taped index finger and thumb vent kind . 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. Be careful if you do, too much force on the buff will melt the kydex. After some web searching I came across www.knifekits.com. In addition to this you will need a drill and a few drill bits. Form the kydex 4. This will morph the flat sheets into the shape of the knife. I had lost some heat taking pictures but it will work just fine. That is so you can get a screw driver in to tighten the chicago screw that mounts the clip to the sheath. Either way, they must be the same length! 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. Share it with us! very cool press i will have to make me one. 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 Great tutorial Tracy!!! 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. 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. Hows it going lads and lasses, in a previous instructable i walked you through how to make a simple cord-wrapped tactical knife. Chemically formulated for low memory artifacts with durability to last longer. Here is the bottom. Also, before you press, make sure the shiny sides of your Kydex sheets are on the inside of the sandwich. Nor do you have to leave your knife out in the open, exposed to all the elements. Anyway, now that the kydex is nice and malleable, move it to the press the exact same way as before. They are quite pricey. Sharpie, preferably red. Standing head and shoulders above all Im James, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. Techniques to help you prepare your transportation and enhance your travels. 6104 W Pioneer Pkwy Ste 212Arlington, TX 76013[emailprotected]. Learn more about joining our Community as a Crew Leader. 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? The materials are pretty simple for this kydex press. Methods for Molding Kydex | eHow Cut the template 2. Start with the half you did the layout on, and make the holes using a 1/4" brad point drill bit. The handle is attached on the top so the you can maneuver it when needed. Step 1 Heat the Kydex. And it isnt easy to buy a sheath that fits either since every blade is different. You can now use a saw to remove the excess KYDEX and shape the sheath to your liking. Official Simple Little Life video of a simple DIY Kydex Press. Once you press, keep it that way for about 10 minutes. I voted for you I think. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. 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. It will continue to soften up to about 390 degrees, but it will burn at 400 degrees. Ask Question Download Step 2: I Try to Place Everything Correctly and Close the Press Within 15 Seconds. It's a vice with jaws that are padded in order to hold lumber without denting it. Yes, this is necessary. Seriously, youre done. Seal the Kydex. CKK KYDEX Eyelet Flaring Press - Master Series - For KYDEX Sheath Cut the belt slots If you pick up the KYDEX and its floppy, then its ready to mold. Really though, I recommend clamps. This is reasonably low compared to average cooking and is intended to make the Kydex easier to handle sooner post-heating. Without it, your Kydex may get deformed. You will want to make sure that you keep pressure on the mold long enough for it to form correctly. Rounded over the corners, beveled the edges, got rid of anything that could snag, made sure the knife slid securely. I got mine from Tandy Leather. 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. All of my measurements are precise and designed to fit your Peerless Chain, Peerless 801 Hinge, ASP Hinged, or Smith & Wesson chain cuffs perfectly. 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! 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. Also the size of the piece your molding will impact on your heat source. After 10 minutes, check and see if its nice and floppy. Assuming all went well in the dry run, now for the wet run, which involves no water. General Knife Safety glad you enjoyed it mate! Okay.I'm making a new rig for my CCW piece. Voting on the iOS app is a little weird. Kydex is a thermoforming plastic made for use in gun holsters and knife sheaths. CKK Sheath/Holster Molding Press - Bench Model - (8 x 12) | KnifeKits.com Instead, Im going to teach you how to make your very own Kydex sheath. Now is the time to add your decorations! 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. DIY - How To Make Kydex Holsters - Triangle Tactical I love the griddle idea. 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. The disk must also be folded over in order for the pressure to apply. Kydex does not have a memory, so that once it has cooled; it retains the shape it was molded to fit. 8 Steps. You need something to cut the kydex. These can be paper, yarn, fabric, and/or materials such as wood or ceramic. Pushing it down or squeezing it likely wouldnt work, it takes some force. 2009-2023 ITS Tactical // Imminent Threat Solutions. 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. (Top 10) Best Foam For Kydex Press in 2023 Based On Customer Feedback going to build that tomorrow. So take scissors or a cutter and remove all the excess Kydex. While the Kydex is still hot, place it in your Kydex press . Not only will this look better, but it will also make your Kydex sheath stronger. The color and texture. This is one side repeat for the other side. 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. Once your first layer is completely dry, it is time to add your second one. A rubber mallet may also prove useful! Many people use YouTube or Youtube videos to help guide them into the world of making them. How To Make A Kydex Press? - Homey Gears Press the Kydex. 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. The Aluminum is acting as a skeleton and giving structural support. A quick how-to on building your own press for making Kydex holsters, sheaths, and mag carriers. 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. Easy DIY Vacuum Former : 7 Steps - Instructables At least until I got enough skill to try more complicated gun holsters. Do you have access to a Black and Decker Workmate? You need to heat Kydex using a home oven or heat gun before you can begin to mold it to whatever shape you choose. Rough-cut the leather 6. This impression wasn't all that crisp. Now, you should have one bun for the proverbial hamburger. Attach the leather 7. 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. I will in a few weeks. Aspiring chefs who are getting around to learning more about Japanese knives will appreciate how they can improve your overall culinary skills. So, why kydex? Hybrid Holster Making Kit w/Cowhide Leather Backer - (KYDEX) - (Black) - (Medium) - (RH), QLH - Holster Molding Prop - for Glock 19/23/32 (Butterfly). Holster Making Presses & Forming Supplies | KYDEX Molding Press I used a hack saw for this but a band saw would be ideal. That way, you can stop walking around with it in your hands constantly, you creep. Now, technically, if you work the saw right, this is your last step. 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