BK16 Sheath (DIY)

[mac_heath]

:jaded::jaded::emot-yarr::uncomfortableness:
It's referred to as a "dado" when closed on both sides of the channel and a "rabbet" when on the edge - like yours.
Cool process pics - thanks! So...then you just heat the kydex and roll it around the jig...? Man, I made a jig way more complicated than that! It hardly even works' tho - next time I'm making one like yours! :thumbup:

I use a heat gun with an attachment that narrows the field and start with the hook end. I heat just that part until it's floppy, slide it into the channel (open side down) and curve it over the edge, then press with my gloved hands. I use a firm surface like the concrete floor or the table saw. When it's cool enough, I then heat up the curve for the top, flip the entire apparatus over and press it with my hands. Once that's done, I trim it, even up the edges, and round them with a belt sander.

 

[granitestateofmind]

I use a heat gun with an attachment that narrows the field and start with the hook end. I heat just that part until it's floppy, slide it into the channel (open side down) and curve it over the edge, then press with my gloved hands. I use a firm surface like the concrete floor or the table saw. When it's cool enough, I then heat up the curve for the top, flip the entire apparatus over and press it with my hands. Once that's done, I trim it, even up the edges, and round them with a belt sander.

Thanks for the follow up. I was thinking maybe you did the whole thing in one go... seriously makes my jig look like a Rube Goldberg contraption.... but then I secretly enjoy making things more complicated than need be.... some of the time. Thanks again for posting the pics and the process.

 

[mac_heath]

Thanks for the follow up. I was thinking maybe you did the whole thing in one go...

I've tried to do it all at once, that way leads to cursing and many reheatings.

 

[granitestateofmind]

I've tried to do it all at once, that way leads to cursing and many reheatings.

Especially using a heat gun - I'm trying to make some small sheaths and just getting that stuff up to an even temperature long enough to get it in my press is driving me nuts - I gotta get to the Savers and get a used toaster oven.
On a completely random yet related track, I did some work at a place that manufactured acrylic (ie-heat molded plastic) "water pipes" and they were using a gas range oven hooked up to a propane tank to heat the acrylic tubes, which were put into an aluminum mold and given a shot of compressed air to expand them in the molds. Pretty cool watching that process.