Kydex Rivet Remover?

Leu Custom

Leu Custom

Joined
Jun 2, 2007
Messages
1,354
For all of you that make sheaths out of kydex and use rivets and flaring dies to keep the sheaths together, what do you guys use when a stinking rivet simply splits and doesn't crimp correctly? Doesn't happen much to me, but are rather a pain in the arse to get out with a pair of needle nose pliers to squeeze the rivet smaller than the hole to pull it out from the other side.

What else methods do you guys use? Do they make a rivet remover?

Thanks!

Po
 
I usually use a small round file and go around the inside rim of one side until the head pops off. Then you can just push the eyelet out with a rod or drill bit. Not any quicker than pliers but it doesn't have the possibility of gouging the sheath like pliers do.

Sometimes you can just drill them out, but they usually just spin once you get into 'em a bit.
 
A cone-shaped grinding point is the easiest and least risky way I have found. Using a drill bit that is larger than the hole works too and is my default method but is not always as smooth an operation as I would like.
 
Al Polkowski said:
Cut the split side off with a pair of diagonal pliers, pop the eyelet out.

FYI, there is a difference between an eyelet and a rivet.

AL P


www.polkowskiknives.com
Click to expand...

Yep,cutting with the pliers that's the way to do it. Drilling is risky, sometimes it just spins the eyelet and melts a bigger hole. By the way Mr. Polkowski you are one of my favorites. Right there with Loveless, Nealy, Heron and Dozier:thumbup:
 
Rivet / Eyelet...whatever those thingies are that you the flaring dies to make look nice ! :)

I think I have also realized that rivets split because the rivet itself already has some sort of small nick in it and when it's flared, it splits !

Thanks for all the ideas guys !

I have even used a heat gun in the past to soften the kydex and just yank it out that way. Not a real nice way, but it works.
 
JBS TOOLMAKER said:
Yep,cutting with the pliers that's the way to do it. Drilling is risky, sometimes it just spins the eyelet and melts a bigger hole. By the way Mr. Polkowski you are one of my favorites. Right there with Loveless, Nealy, Heron and Dozier:thumbup:
Click to expand...

You can put a piece of duct tape over the back side before you drill to eliminate that issue. This trick works well for holding the smooth side on stubborn chicago screws while you tighten or loosen,too.
 
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