Hollow rivet flaring tool

[Mikel_24]

i dont see those rivet flaring hand tools could someone post a link?

Sure!
Check them out HERE. We are talking about the 7th and 8th items here ($11,95).

Mikel

 

[Tinbasher]

i dont see those rivet flaring hand tools could someone post a link?

http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w203/tinbasher/

think this is the one you are looking for.
Richard

 

[Chris Meyer]

Mikel,

I'm too cheap to buy one of those kydex presses, although I did buy the foam from Knifekits.com. My current press is kind of crappy, but it does work. It's not really worth taking a picture of. You'd be better off just looking at the presses knifekits sells to give you an idea on how to make your own. A friend of mine made his from some pieces of metal and a couple of door hinges. His looks much better than mine, but then he's a machinist. As for the foam, I've heard that the kind of foam they sell to use under your sleeping bag while camping will substitute for the knifekits foam. It just needs to be pretty dense so that it pushes the heated kydex around your mold (or knife).

 

[Mikel_24]

... I've heard that the kind of foam they sell to use under your sleeping bag while camping will substitute for the knifekits foam. It just needs to be pretty dense so that it pushes the heated kydex around your mold (or knife).

Hi Chris!
Thanks for pointing out the kind of foam. I figured out it needed to be very dense. I am thinking about high density EVA. There is a number of insulating pads out there. I use RidgeRest myself but my climbing partner uses one from Artiatch that is way denser. I am sure that is the one I need. I will try to figure out where to get some of it cheap. I don't see myself wasting brand new insulating pads just for that (they are not that cheap).

Just a few questions, does the foam you bought at knifekits have a shiny surface? How does it bear the hot kydex? Do you need to replace it often? Do you lube it in any way to prevent the hot kydex melting the foam and sticking to it?

Thanks in advance,
Mikel

 

[Chris Meyer]

Mikel, the foam from Knifekits is about 1 inch thick and it does have a smooth surface. They foam gets warm from the kydex, but it doesn't melt or anything. The kydex doesn't stick to the foam, so you don't need to lube it. I've only made a few kydex sheaths so I can't say how long it will last. I don't think it would wear out, but if you tear it it might not work the same.