- Joined
- Jan 3, 2011
- Messages
- 477
Im starting to do kydex I have played around with it. Now I want to build a press. I was wondering what your options on the best materials to build one would be.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Kydex press build questions
- Thread starter Mrwhitetailfanatic
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2006
- Messages
- 2,415
I use 2" foam, its pretty dense so I get a good impression around the blade, I went to the fabric store and they sell foam for pillows need to get the best quality they have. I glued to a backboard with no hinge, just put on weight.
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2009
- Messages
- 942
I like the foam tracy sells; I've also used the blue sleeping pads they sell in the camping section at wal-mart and they worked fine but Tracy's work MUCH better...
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2009
- Messages
- 21,855
I believe you can find that foam locally too.
I have some sold as a gardening kneeling pad, or ballgame bleacher seat cushion.
It is much denser than the blue sleeping pad foam.
If you can find it at an industrial supplier, the cost per square foot is a fraction
http://www.foamforyou.com/neoprene.htm
(assuming it is the same)
The press itself.
Whatever you have available to give a very firm pressing.
I like steel.
The hinge press seems popular, but I don't know why.
The sheath subforum may help you more than this one.
Last edited:
If you are looking for ideas on the design I made one up a while back, A few people here and on the spydie forums very generous in helping me gather info before I built mine and I don't mind sharing my design, I also use the USA knife maker foam and it seems very durable. I was not very happy with the plywood vise method, pretty time consuming the few times I tried it, easier for me to flip it and lock it down and retain as much heat as possible I thought. The back plate on mine comes off and I made a couple others to adjust the height, I found when doing handguns its nice to have a little adjustment, also for varying foam thickness, again could just be my preference. One thing I really like about it is its very rigid and I can really cinch it down tight with the lock. I did paint it black before I put the foam on more permanently with velcro. If anyone has any questions you think I may be able to help with feel free to PM or email me.....
