kydex-belt clip tips

M

madborderman07

Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
670
Do any of you kydex benders have any good tips on making belt clips. I would like to make a few of these, looking for pics of jigs etc, thanks in advance
 
We make a lot of belt loops in the shop.... they're a major PITA to do. If you're looking to do less than ten at a time, I would just buy them and end up money ahead.

Since a common order is for 200+ sheaths and I buy hardware 10,000 at a time it starts to pay off for me. Buying loops with the Chicago Screws for a couple of bucks is too good a deal for a hobby maker to bother with bending his own.
 
I prefer to make the belt clips myself. That way I get them exactly the way I want them, rather than having to deal with someone else's vision of how they should be. Also allows me to get the hole spacing matched to the eyelet spacing of the sheath, so I don't put more holes than needed in a sheath. One of the neat things about working with kydex is getting sheaths, holsters, carriers, etc., just exactly like YOU want them. I've got a 3 DVD set ("Kitchen Kydex") dedicated to that concept. Here's a picture showing a sheath with interchangeable ambidextrous belt clip and IWB loop - "less is more" concept.
 
I just leave the kydex long on the backside of the sheath, then after I have the rest of the sheath done, I heat it with a heat gun and shape it using a couple of pieces of wood. Here's one example of a sheath with an integral clip:



I've thought about making a jig, but I don't do very many sheaths and would probably lose the jig between projects, so I haven't done it.
 
I make my own belt clips also, for the same reason already given.....I get exactly what I want.

Making a jig is easy and pretty quick. Masonite is great for making jigs. You can get it in 1/8" or 1/4" thicknesses. It's easy to cut, has a good hard, flat surface, glues up well with wood glue or elmers, and is CHEAP. The big home improvement stores have smaller pieces (24"x48" if I remember right, it's been awhile since I've bought any) for under $3.

It's definitely worth trying. And cheap enough to experiment with.
 
Hey Guys..

I will vouch for Mike's kydex videos !!
Worth the money no doubt..

I still owe you a review Mike...


Popedaddy..

The problem with integral loops is that if you bust a loop, the sheath is usually garbage too..
If you make them modular,, if the loops breaks,, you simple replace it..
Having modular loops also allows you to change the type of carry you want..
With my two clips, there is well over a dozen different carry possibilities, if not more..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Mike's videos explain everything on making integral in a simple, precise manner. Which is great 'cause I need simple. I own Mike's videos and they pretty much explain everything you need to know. Definately worth the money.
 
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