Is anyone here into Kydex?

[Higgins617]

You probably drive a GM product too!

[ducttapetech]

You two should be driving a Ford......I'm just saying.........LOL!
Can't wait to see the outcome of this. What all else are you gonna  be making?

That's us mobile
Nate

[NKlamerus]

Don't worry yall, I only frequent this one

But the others have more kydex information because yall spend ALL the money on tools alone!!! You have to "accessorize"!!!

@ducttapetech I'm not quite sure, I'm sure it will take a few trials to make the perfect sleeve, then maybe a locket clip or 2

Someone at work is getting a "Das boot" for their birthday and they want me to make them a cup holder/belt carry clip for it....................... .. . .. ... .. . ...

[NKlamerus]

This is a das boot, Unfortunely that's not my friend from work

[lowtech]

I need a vaccum press lol

Because THATS so easy....

I have read that you can use those storage bags you vacuumize with your vacuum cleaner to form Kydex.
Heat the stuff, wrap the tool, put a rag around, put in bag, suc, let cool - Bingo.
I have not tested taht - I do have Kydex, a Toaster oven, a heat gun and some vacuum bags, but no free time to play...
Would like a MP 600 sheath and a clip for my MP3 Player and some other stuff.

[Kiah]

I'm thinking I'll need to buy some press foam and cut the shape of the OHT into it. (So it's tight)

Heat the kydex

And press the oht directly onto the kydex which will then be pressed into the shape/hole cut into the foam. Causing the kydex to push around the corners of the oht and cool.

Most likely the edges of the hole will collapse and give a poor press.  If you can get thick enough foam you'd be better off just pressing it with the foam intact  (you'll need to fill in any areas outside of where you want retention).  If not then I'd skip the foam entirely and cut the shape (with space for material) into plywood and soften the edges of the cut.  Place the tool on a flat surface, lay the heated material over it, and then push down and hold with the cutout until cool.  You'll still want a heat gun to set retention.

If you want a more tabbed setup though, you'd be better off just cutting and finishing the material first and then using a heat gun (on low and constantly moving) to heat small sections at a time.

Hopefully that's helpful.

[NKlamerus]

I'm thinking I'll need to buy some press foam and cut the shape of the OHT into it. (So it's tight)

Heat the kydex

And press the oht directly onto the kydex which will then be pressed into the shape/hole cut into the foam. Causing the kydex to push around the corners of the oht and cool.

Most likely the edges of the hole will collapse and give a poor press.  If you can get thick enough foam you'd be better off just pressing it with the foam intact  (you'll need to fill in any areas outside of where you want retention).  If not then I'd skip the foam entirely and cut the shape (with space for material) into plywood and soften the edges of the cut.  Place the tool on a flat surface, lay the heated material over it, and then push down and hold with the cutout until cool.  You'll still want a heat gun to set retention.

If you want a more tabbed setup though, you'd be better off just cutting and finishing the material first and then using a heat gun (on low and constantly moving) to heat small sections at a time.

Hopefully that's helpful.

Very!!

I tried heating up a small peice last night, and the toaster oven is broken.......

[Kiah]

Very!!

I tried heating up a small peice last night, and the toaster oven is broken.......

You can use a regular oven.  Just use a cookie sheet with some foil on it or such.  If you have an electric griddle with a non-stick surface, those work very well with Kydex (not so much with Boltaron IME), but test a small piece first if so as not all surfaces are equal.  Just start the temp low and play with it in any case.  Dials on kitchen appliances don't tend to be trustworthy.

I don't have any pics handy of the plywood form on an MT, but it's pretty much the same way I form around axe heads, so you can kinda see what I mean.

[Aloha]

Those are some outstanding axe sheaths 

[lowtech]

Would it help in even heat distribution if you put a stone (Pizza baking stone or slab of granite maybe) into the oven and preheat it? That should even out the uneven temps inside, no?

I need to try some small kydex projects. I have a nechkholder for 111mm Vics I wanted tomreproduce for ages. Should be good for starters.

[Kiah]

Aloha007, thanks.

Would it help in even heat distribution if you put a stone (Pizza baking stone or slab of granite maybe) into the oven and preheat it? That should even out the uneven temps inside, no?

I need to try some small kydex projects. I have a nechkholder for 111mm Vics I wanted tomreproduce for ages. Should be good for starters.

Interesting question.  No idea myself though.  May be some experimenting in my future.

[NKlamerus]

I can't remember the profile but there are 2 really good basics of kydex videos on YouTube. You'll know immediately if they are the right ones, they are both fairly long but have great details and tips.