kydex press hinges

E

elasmonut

Joined
Feb 15, 2006
Messages
657
I know this is not the sheath forum, I tried there and lots of views no info. I am looking at building a better kydex press, I like the look of the flash ones at knifekits but reckon I can make one better and cheaper, particularly after I ship the heavy sucker to Oz. What I'm after is a look at the adjustable hinge thingy they have, trouble is nowhere can I find a pic of one from the back. So if anyone has one or could point me toward a pic of one from the back, it would be much appreciated.
 
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As I understand it, it's not really a hinge.

It's a slot and tab construction that allows it to come apart.

Long tabs and holes slots - you should be able to do that from the photo.

I don't like that design - it puts more pressure on the open side than the hinge side.
There has to be a better way.
 
Somewhere I saw one that was kind of like a vertical vice with a center auger type drive. I made this - people laugh at it because it looks like a complicated way to accomplish a simple thing, but I wasn't smart enough to make it simpler. Works good, though, and I do get even pressure. Let the giggling begin... ;)

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I commented on your contraption when you first showed it. I still think it is one of the coolest purpose built things I have seen. I like to make my own tools and fixtures when needed; haven't done any Kydex yet may need to build a press like yours when I do.

David

P.S. I will need to one up you though; TIG welded all the way!
 
LOL, contraption is the right word for sure! When you figure out a simpler, better way, I would love to see it!
 
Thanks guys I agree, I thought it was tab and slot, but that sounds like a crappy system to me juggling that heavy lid and little slots trying not to bump and misalign your job, whilst rushing 'cause your kydex is cooling. It's that kind of messing around I'm trying to avoid, I just use boards foam and quick clamps, just as bad.
I love the contraption, might be a bit beyond my feeble engineering skills though. I am putting together something similar using a modificated woodworkers vice, but was trying to stay simple. I'll post some pics when I get something that works. As always thanks for the help guys.
 
haha I just have a couple of plywood boards, two pieces of foam, some door hinges and just stand on top of the bastard for a few minutes. Uncomfortable and ghetto, but I've made about 5 or 6 successful sheaths with it. Just doing what I gotta do for now I guess :p
 
I had briefly thought of somehow using the mechanism that makes a caulking gun work. Something like that where you can pull the trigger multiple times to cinch it down, but then twist the end to release. Never went beyond idea though.
 
DerekH said:
I had briefly thought of somehow using the mechanism that makes a caulking gun work. Something like that where you can pull the trigger multiple times to cinch it down, but then twist the end to release. Never went beyond idea though.
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They're selling those commercially now, all you have to do is buy them.
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josh mason said:
haha i just have a couple of plywood boards, two pieces of foam, some door hinges and just stand on top of the bastard for a few minutes. Uncomfortable and ghetto, but i've made about 5 or 6 successful sheaths with it. Just doing what i gotta do for now i guess :p
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+1 Thats what I do, minus the hinges!
 
Here's one of mine. I do em with the plywood boards with bodyweight, and with a crappy HF drill press with Tracy's awesome kydex dies. Male end chucked in, and the female end in a scrap of the same crappy plywood on the drill press table. Kydex molded in the kitchen oven.

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Yep.. my press is 2 pieces of plywood with foam connected doorhinges and a piece of paracord to cinch it all down... bolts to my workbench and I carry it all into the kitchen when I need to make a sheath. Gets a funny look from my mom, but as long as I don't burn anything in the oven I have nothing to worry about :D
 
I have a 2 ton arbor press that someone gave to me. I have a couple of pieces of 3/4" plywood with foam glued on it. One gets put on press (or depending on the sheath I use a plain piece of plywood). The heated Kydex and knife are in place, I put the other piece of foam coated plywood on top and squash it. To maintain the pressure, I put a piece of coat hanger wire (because it is soft) in the rack to jam it in position. Then I impatiently wait for a few minutes.....

I have tried the wood worker's vice but mine is mounted horizontally, not vertically so it is awkward for me to use. I think it would work great if you have the quick adjusting type mounted in a vertical position.

ric
 
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