Beginner kydex materials

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
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Hey guys, I want to try my hand at making some kydex sheaths. I plan to make a rough press from some clamps, plywood, and a foam sleeping pad.

I'm looking for a source for chicago screws. Where is a good place to get small quantities of them?

Rivets would be helpful as well, but I don't own a press for them and dont want to buy them. Are there any other type of rivets that can be installed with basic hand tools?
 
I think it's either Jantz or KnifeKits that has the best price on quantities of Chicago screws. Rivets are easy. If you have a drill press, just buy the die set and chuck one end in the drill, the other in a vise on the table and press away. Or you can go really low tech and drill a hole the same size as the die in a piece of 2x4. Set your rivet in the Kydex, place the pre-rounded end in the die on your 2x4 (make sure you have the right half of the die set in there) and then set your other die on top. Give a firm whack with a 3 or 4lb dead blow and it should be set properly. I have done it this way and it's a little inconsistent until you get the process down. But hey, $35 for the die set and you're in business.
 
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