Eyelet Press Question

[Forgedfixedblade]

Decided I need to start making my own Kydex sheath's, just takes far to long to have a custom one made. Any recommendations on a quality budget eyelet press? Would like to keep it under the 100 $ mark.

 

[reskite]

I bought an arbor press from Enco eventually, but prior to that I just used my drill press. Worked great and cost nothing, since I already had the drill press...

 

[Forgedfixedblade]

That is pretty savvy, although I have yet to get a drill press so hoping to find something between the 35 to 65 mark, thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[LG&M]

You can use a hammer and die. Might not look as nice but will work well.

 

[Olive Tree]

I use hammer and die too, they get the job done unless you work kydex fr a living. A tip I learnt with practice: lubricate the rivets with some oil (like WD-40) to avoid annoying splitting.

 

[grelcar]

I had good sized block of aluminum, about 4" X 4" X 6", laying around. I drilled a hole in it for one side of the die and put the other side in my drill press. A block of hardwood would probably work just as well. You can probably pick up a cheap benchtop drill press for about the same price as an arbor press. The drill press or an arbor press gives you precise control. control

 

[Mike Sastre]

I started out using the hammer and die method .. it works, but doesn't look as professional as using a dedicated press. If you have the proper dies, a drill press works ok as well. A dedicated bench press also allows using other dies for things like snap fasteners, etc., as long as you have the proper dies. I you do a lot of volume and want the ultimate in ease and convenience, get a foot press. I went from the hammer and anvil type setter to the foot press long ago and haven't regretted it. They were a little less expensive then.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Weaver leather also sells some seriously nice equipment but they are pretty spendy as well.

 

[ColdDeadHand]

Hammer method is killing me on snaps. I used to be pretty darned good with a hammer, as I was a construction guy for years. I quit that just over 6 years ago, but I am still pretty fair with a hammer. That said, it seems like I can get about 8/10 of my snaps right and 2/10 the stupid thing gets off center and just infuriates me. See pic. There are 2 on there that I was pretty disappointed with and it throws things off center in a bad way.
Pretty sure a harbor frieght 1/2 ton arbor press is in my near future.

I'm sure if you look a moment you will see the pouch flap is off-kilter due to a bad set, as is the righthand strap, bad set on the top snap.

Boooooo!