Eyelet issues on first kydex sheeth

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
2,154
I have the 1/4 eyelet setting dies and the S-61 eyelets for putting 2 sheets of .060" kydex together. I'm putting the holding end die in my bench vice and then holding the roll die as I use a 5lb hammer to tap the eyelet down. First I'm not getting a consistant look in the eyelets. Second I have some that have part of the eyelet protruding to the other side like it's too long for putting 2 pieces of .060" together. I don't want to switch to the 3/8 eyelets. So am I just smashing them too much or do I need to get other eyelets or trim them on the grinder a bit?

S-61 specs:
Use to join 2 pieces of .090" 0r 2-3 pieces of .060" kydex
fit a 0.25" hole
OD tube: 0.245"
OD top rim: 0.385"
length:.316"

Thanks,
John
 
Where did you get the eyelets from? I've noticed a difference in length between sources, yours sounds like a bit long for 2 pieces of .060.

For more consistency you'll want to ditch the bench vice method you're doing and just put the die on your workbench or the ground (I put a 2x4 down on the ground so I don't mess up my floor). When you strike do it with out hesitation, your goal is to peen the eyelet over in one shot. I use a 16oz framing hammer to do this and have only split 2 rivets and unless I position my hole badly I normally get it in the first try. If they look ugly I think someone said you could use black brass to touch it up... I'm not doing sheaths for others yet so an ugly eyelet is OK for now.

Also if you find that the length of the eyelet is causing issues (some have stated that in the past) a quick stop at the belt sander they say works well.
 
So as I understand it, you are using a eyelet that is made to attach .18 thich material but you are only trying to attach .12 thick material. Sounds like it should be fitting 2 .09 pieces rather than two .06 pieces, so you will naturally get poor results.

Get smaller eyelets, use larger material.
 
I got the eyelets from USAKnifemaker and they are the shortest they make in 1/4" . I'll see if any of the other online shops make shorter ones in 1/4".

I'll also give the one shot hit a try, I was hammering instead of doing a single dead blow.
 
Those are good eyelets and dies.

I'd make up some plates that fit into your bench vise so you can use it to slowly and gently squeeze the eyelets.

You can pull it out, look at it and go again, not as easy with a hammer.
ONce you figure that out, you can put a block in the vise to stop you from going any farther.

Try some lube on the dies too.

The dies and eyelets are good so the most important point is stopping in time and a BFH won't help.

It wont' hurt to try trimming some back.
Once you have a good crimp, any more and you're just mushing it.
Use some scrap and try several times until you know when to stop.
 
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The 1/4 is diameter not the length. Try knifekits.com theirs tend to be shorter

If you're going to use a 5lb please don't miss ;)

Edit: the count brings up a good point. and my bad for assuming that you were using the el cheapy hammer me home anvil and peen system, if you have the die set from USAKnifeMaker.com, those are, I've been told, the best... I've just got mine in, and with those, a hammer isn't the best method of use, as the count said slow even pressure from your vice will work wonderfully.
 
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I use the ones from knifekits in my press and get a great fit every time. I only paid 30 for the press from HF and was well worth the money for my eyelet dies as well as flaring dies.
 
Hawk45 said:
I got the eyelets from USAKnifemaker and they are the shortest they make in 1/4" . I'll see if any of the other online shops make shorter ones in 1/4".

I'll also give the one shot hit a try, I was hammering instead of doing a single dead blow.
Click to expand...

I use those with no issues, though I suspect their awesome dies and a press help too.
 
jawilder said:
I use the ones from knifekits in my press and get a great fit every time. I only paid 30 for the press from HF and was well worth the money for my eyelet dies as well as flaring dies.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was just there yesterday picking up some stuff and they were out of the little arbor presses. Said more should be in tomorrow so I'll probably run over and pick one up. Might as well do it right.
 
jawilder said:
I use the ones from knifekits in my press and get a great fit every time. I only paid 30 for the press from HF and was well worth the money for my eyelet dies as well as flaring dies.
Click to expand...

That kills me... I would have had to pay over double for that exact press... the + shipping crap kills me every time... however I did find a $60 from Amazon with free shipping! Doing it this way I only saved about $10 or so...
 
I just bought the dies that Tracy sells at usaknifemaker. I haven't bought the arbor pres yet, so I just stood one die on the floor and the other die I hit with leather working mallet. Just taped them down. 50 eyelets and they all looked as perfect as I could imagine. I think I will get a press, but this worked fine for now. That was two layers of .060 with the same eyelets as mentioned above. I heard lots of good reviews of Tracy's dies, I would have to say I couldn't agree more.
 
Use Tracy's eyelets and dies. Everything else was unsuccessful for me.

I chuck everything up in my cheap harbor freight drill press and use that as my press. Works like a charm. I drilled a hole in my drill press table to fit the male end, and chuck up the female end. I use a cutoff piece of a 2x4 under the table to keep everything solid and level. Cheap, easy, and you get good clean results.
 
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