Kydex Sheaths

[Woodlandwarrior]

I wanna try my hand at making some Kydex sheaths. Is there a basic kit and molding apparatus to start with? I have looked on the internet and noticed several options and I realize start up cost is going to be at least $300. Any recommendations for the novice?

 

[TekSec]

Exercise matting from WalMart (double layer), two pieces of plywood and a kitchen oven. Put a layer or two of matting on a piece of 3/4" plywood (18"x18") and a single layer on another 18"x18" piece. Single is the bottom, double is the top. Heat Kydex in oven to 300 degrees (maybe 325) for 10 minutes until really floppy. Fold / lay over the object (knife, etc.) and press the top onto the bottom. Kneel on it for extra pressure. Wait a minute or two and you're done. Rivets can be set with the associated dies in a drill press. That's the white trash Kydex. If you're really interested, get Mike Sastre's Kitchen Kydex. That would be my move. Well worth the investment.

 

[Fort Henry Custom Knives]

I would recommend using a Toaster oven (instead of violating your Wife's Kitchen oven and sending the smell of tolouene throughout the house), also use Gloves as the Kydex is HOT when you take it out of the oven to form.

Most of the best info is found on several of the forums, look for tutorials and ask specific questions. But nothing really beats trying it a couple of times. Bending the Kydex around something isn't hard, cleaning the edges, making the item look uniform and tweaking the fit are where it gets difficult.

Good Luck.

 

[Mike Sastre]

Both posters make some good points (I like Erik's for obvious reasons). You'd be surprised at how little equipment you need starting out. Hands-on is great, because if you are diligent, you can make and sell products that will help finance better/more equipment. You can see what can be done using only a heatgun, two kitchen pot holders, a block of wood, and some sandpaper on my DVD set.
"Bending the Kydex around something isn't hard, cleaning the edges, making the item look uniform and tweaking the fit are where it gets difficult." - This is oh so true, and where a lot of info on the internet is definitely incomplete. It's easy to work with, but also easy to do badly. One of the main reasons I made the DVD set.
While using a toaster oven is definitely easier on personal relationships at home, a regular oven will give more consistent results, plus allow using larger pieces. One of my "student/customers" reports that a convection oven works well for him. I use a regular full sized electric oven for most items.
My advice would be to get some kydex, use whatever is available without investing a lot of money, get some "hands-on", then decide if you want to continue enough to get more equipment. You just might surprise yourself. Above all, have fun learning!!