- Joined
- Nov 18, 2010
- Messages
- 6,118
Mist if you are dead set against ordering the proper foam, the stuff I used fairly successfully was a foam hunters seat I got for like $8 at Dicks I think. It works, and since it is like 2 inches thick works out to be reasonably dense (although no where near as dense as the proper stuff). Get a good solid backing like the other guys have said, and that should get you well on your way.
There are only three basic variables you have to mess with, being material, temperature, and pressure, and varying those will determine how good of a press you are getting. For myself, I use 0.093" Boltaron heated to approximately 285° or so, slapped into some actual kydex pressing foam which is sandwiched between two aluminum plates and then I use a half ton arbor press to get the pressing done. You want to maintain pressure for at least ten minutes or so to keep the definition in your kydex.
My first sheath above was made using old neoprene mousepads, two pieces of wood, and me standing on it. I had pretty good definition on the inside as you could read the Kabar logo in the kydex. My last sheath was on the setup I just detailed, and you can see the machine marks in the kydex from inside the machined texturing on the G10 handles. Good definition leads to good retention, and better fit. Good luck!
Oh and like they said, get an eyelet setter, even a cheap one is better than none. They can be had for around $8 at various places online, and you can also get them at craft stores near the scrapbooking stuff.
There are only three basic variables you have to mess with, being material, temperature, and pressure, and varying those will determine how good of a press you are getting. For myself, I use 0.093" Boltaron heated to approximately 285° or so, slapped into some actual kydex pressing foam which is sandwiched between two aluminum plates and then I use a half ton arbor press to get the pressing done. You want to maintain pressure for at least ten minutes or so to keep the definition in your kydex.
My first sheath above was made using old neoprene mousepads, two pieces of wood, and me standing on it. I had pretty good definition on the inside as you could read the Kabar logo in the kydex. My last sheath was on the setup I just detailed, and you can see the machine marks in the kydex from inside the machined texturing on the G10 handles. Good definition leads to good retention, and better fit. Good luck!
Oh and like they said, get an eyelet setter, even a cheap one is better than none. They can be had for around $8 at various places online, and you can also get them at craft stores near the scrapbooking stuff.
) and an eyelet setter, and a tek-lok.