I want to make a machete sheath out of PVC pipe. Any thoughts?

S

Squashfan

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Jun 6, 2012
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I needed a sheath for my new 24" Imacasa machete and I saw this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/743093-PVC-Machete-Sheath

I looked around locally and all I found was thin drainage pipe with a 3-4 inch diameter.
So here is my idea:

Get the pipe and cut it to length.

Calculate how wide the sheath needs to be.

Flatten the pipe and cut to width. Secure it with chicago screws.

That would produce a sheath with a flattened C shape. Then I would secure the open part of the C with chicago screws.

OR!

I can cut the pipe in two lengthwise while it is still round and flatten the pieces.

In this way it would be a replacement for kydex and I would have to secure both sides of the sheath with chicago screws.

Which idea do you guys like?
 
Bro just make sure you have good ventilation. The PVC stuff in semi-solid state can be hazardous to your breathing system.
 
You know kydex really isn't that expensive or hard to work with
-trust me your repertory system will thank you.
 
Recently i adjusted my kydex sheath a bit and instead of using lighter, powerful hair dryer can do wonders.
 
Interesting idea, using PVC. Couldn't hurt to give it a try. Be safe.
Kydex would be sexy though.

Quick unsolicited opinion... :) Cloth sheaths are the BOMB when you are hiking. When you are not using the sheath you can put it in your pocket. Rigid sheaths spend hours smacking your leg when you are walking.
 
I made a few out of the sides of a Rubbermade trash can. Cut the overall pattern and added a spacer along the spine, making sure there was room for the widest point of the blade to fit past the throat. For rivets I used aluminum nails, just pound it through, clip it off about a 1/16" above the surface and peen it over. Nice and light. I added a band of webbing, riveted in place, around the top for a multi-use attachment point.

They're terrible pics, but here's two I made just to give you an idea.
0426021016a.jpg


0426021016.jpg
 
Nice looking sheaths, HeavyHanded! This sheath is for my 24" machete that is going to clear brush. I doubt that it will go hiking anytime soon but you never know what could happen! I would use chicago screws for my sheath because I will have some left over from other projects. I am looking at instructions on how to peen a nail though.

Lots of things to think about. However, I am going to rule out kydex. I need a BIG piece and that is going to almost double the price with shipping. I will either buy a cloth sheath, Seymour MFG makes the one I am looking at, or make it out of PVC pipe. Cutting, flattening, and using the pipe like kydex is the least desirable option to me. I like to breath clearly. Though I will work out of doors because my cutting tool will be a Dremel.
The problem I hit last time was the only pipe I could find in the right diameter was pretty think. If I recall correctly, it was about a quarter inch thick or maybe it was less? Anyway, I was really looking for thinner pipe. But maybe I could still use some thicker pipe and still work it flat.

Lastly, I hate to cut up a nice, new trashcan for no reason. We will see what happens and which option I will chose!
 
A Dremel would be the worst thing to cut plastic with!
Coping saw, wallboard saw, hand saw. Any kind of saw.
 
Squashfan said:
Nice looking sheaths, HeavyHanded! This sheath is for my 24" machete that is going to clear brush. I doubt that it will go hiking anytime soon but you never know what could happen! I would use chicago screws for my sheath because I will have some left over from other projects. I am looking at instructions on how to peen a nail though.

Lots of things to think about. However, I am going to rule out kydex. I need a BIG piece and that is going to almost double the price with shipping. I will either buy a cloth sheath, Seymour MFG makes the one I am looking at, or make it out of PVC pipe. Cutting, flattening, and using the pipe like kydex is the least desirable option to me. I like to breath clearly. Though I will work out of doors because my cutting tool will be a Dremel.
The problem I hit last time was the only pipe I could find in the right diameter was pretty think. If I recall correctly, it was about a quarter inch thick or maybe it was less? Anyway, I was really looking for thinner pipe. But maybe I could still use some thicker pipe and still work it flat.

Lastly, I hate to cut up a nice, new trashcan for no reason. We will see what happens and which option I will chose!
Click to expand...

PVC is pretty much made to be heat formed, I've done lots of it on electrical runs using a hot box or a heat gun to bend PVC for irregular or small bends. It collapses pretty fast if you get it too hot, but if you take a bit of care and do it outdoors you shouldn't have any fume problems. Sawzalls with metal cutting blades work great on small pvc. Alternatively a hacksaw is the tool of choice, forget the dremel, messy and a bit undersized for the job.
 
You'll have a hard time making a cut much deeper than 4" with a hacksaw.
 
We always just used a metal cutting blade, 18 tpi I think. There wasn't much need to cut PVC larger than 4 inches, and if there was we just broke out a sawzall with a wood blade.
 
lowspeedone said:
PVC pipe will shatter. I don't think I'd use it for a sheath.
Click to expand...

How easily will PVC shatter? This sheath is almost exclusively for transport in a vehicle. It may not even have a belt loop. I haven't decided about it yet.

Yoda, thanks for your good advice. I think the pipe will be less than 3 inches.
 
Not very easily, at least in this application, I wouldn't go bashing it into trees or running over it with a car on a rough gravel surface or anything. The grey electrical PVC seems to be tougher than the white plumbing PVC, though that could just be my imagination.
 
PVC can be used to make a good, inexpensive sheath. I have also had good luck making machete and axe sheaths out of scrap carpeting. The carpeting can easily be cut to shape, then held together with duct tape. Several forums discuss making sheaths and other items with "hobo leather" (cardboard) but I think "yuppie leather" (carpeting) is more durable, very inexpensive (often free) and easy to work.

Axe and machete sheaths made of carpeting could be sewn, but duct tape works well and requires less skill. For retention straps, strips of Velcro sold in hardware stores work well. :cool:
 
yoda4561 said:
Not very easily, at least in this application, I wouldn't go bashing it into trees or running over it with a car on a rough gravel surface or anything. The grey electrical PVC seems to be tougher than the white plumbing PVC, though that could just be my imagination.
Click to expand...

I was looking at PVC drain pipe because it is thinner and lighter than the white PVC. Should I stick to the white PVC?
 
Squashfan said:
I was looking at PVC drain pipe because it is thinner and lighter than the white PVC. Should I stick to the white PVC?
Click to expand...

Go with whatever is thinner and lighter. I made one out of electrical grade PVC for my CS bolo, the sheath weighed way more than the machete. A no starter for backpacking, but it looked good.
 
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