Finally got some kydex made! (still need some help)

[beachmaster]

I got myself and my dad a Bk24 awhile back, and we weren't too happy with the sheaths, so I decided to make us and my brother some sheaths for Christmas!
Due to some tools coming in late... Christmas is late... very late, but finally!
Retention is perfect! The click in and click out VERY nicely.
My kydex press needs a little tweaking, but the concept is good.


Where I need help... this Lord Hodge grommet die is not working for me! It dents my 1/4" grommets, and it doesnt fully fold the opposite side. Not only that, but while it is not fully rolling the other side, it is also taking all of the finish off of the grommet and beating it up...

I dont need a high speed grommet set up, this is just a hobby for myself and friends, but does anyone have a suggestion for something better?

 

[daizee]

I bought the arbor press with dies from usaknifemaker. They contract their own dies and modify the press a bit. It's a good deal if you plan to do a bunch, but a bit much for a hobbiest. Before I invested in that I was using a pair of bearings as dies... crude and sometimes effective. Sometimes messy.

With your kydex, you generally want to plan to use a bit more than you will eventually need, trimming the final result. sandpaper on the edges is your friend.

 

[beachmaster]

I trimmed these with my dremel. I will do a finer sand job in the future when I get a little better, but this went to my dad and brother, so it was ok that they were a little rough.
I have another 14/24 in the press right now, and I will finish it tonight. I have a feeling that it will be nice.

My current grommet setup may just have to work for now. Maybe as I use it more, I will figure out a way to do a better job with it. Who knows.

Once I get a nice product down, I might try to sell just a couple that are nicer REALLY cheap so that i can afford more kydex, so that i can start practicing more, and doing some more knives