Kydex rivet tooling.

JBS TOOLMAKER

JBS TOOLMAKER

Joined
May 4, 2009
Messages
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Hey guys, I have been getting lots of request for kydex sheaths lately. My question is What's the best punch and anvil to use for setting the rivets? My plan is to get the hand set and modify them to go in a small arbor press that I have. I really don't want to spend the money for the die sets sold @ knifekits.com or TKS. I like the 1/4" rivets or #8.
Thank's
Jason B Stout
 
If you're using KnifeKits eyelets, you can get a handsetter from them, though the dies are well worth the price.

American Tag dies are cheap, but I haven't used them, so can't speak on quality.

One note, make sure the setter you get matches the eyelets. Even if they look like they will work together, they may not. Avoid Tandy settters on anything but Tandy eyelets.
 
Maybe I should go ahead and get the dies. My main concern is having a good clean look. No split rivets! I'm sure I can modify the press to make the dies fit.
 
You'll get splits occasionally regardless. My 3/16 dies split one out of ten or so, but I haven'polished them yet. When I get a split, I file it out and drop in a new one.

I just chuck my dies in the drill press. Works fine.
 
Also to minimize splits, pump the setter on the eyelet, light pressure, then medium, then full set. I've found that I split a lot less when I do a light roll first, not just ramming them in first press.
 
A small drop of oil on the die or the eyelet also helps to prevent the splitting.
 
TekSec said:
Also to minimize splits, pump the setter on the eyelet, light pressure, then medium, then full set. I've found that I split a lot less when I do a light roll first, not just ramming them in first press.
Click to expand...

same here, but without the "pump", i do it all in one motion just REALLY gradual (s?). i've never split a rivet. i'm not saying it's because of my technique. maybe it's magic dies, good rivets, or just the great kydex god smiling on me, but i've yet to split one. i'm sure i will tomorrow, now lol

the knifekits dies are great, i doubt you'd regret buying them. their "rivet press" is just a 15 chinese arbor, though, so i'd suggest buying the dies and supplying your own arbor.
 
I got the knifekits dies and have been very happy with them. Much better than my old handset dies. I happened to have an old 1 ton arbor press so I just got the dies. The only thing I had to do to make the press work was drill a hole (3/8" ? I think) in the anvil. It's cast ductile iron, so very easy to do.

I also put a couple of drops of oil on a Qtip and touch the mouth of the eyelet before I press it. Not much oil is needed, the Qtip is enough to do all the eyelets on a sheath without reloading. I also do the "pump" method described above. I've split one eyelet in a dozen sheaths.
 
Good advise all,thanks.I just ordered some eyelets & hand set + a sheet of kydex from knifekits.Gona make one for my S5LE.Can't wait to get it.
 
Hey Guys...

A Cheap set of Dies are Absolutely Worthless...

Drop coin on a good set of Dies..

Been using Knifekits dies now for several years.. Just starting to have problems with them now... They've set 10s of Thousands of eyes...

Eric
O/ST
 
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