Making a sheath out of kydex

H

Hobbes

Joined
Jun 15, 2006
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4
I'm sure this has been discussed, but the search fuction doesn't seem to work for me- it just pulls up a blank page. For those that make sheaths, what do you use to heat it? How hot does it need to get?
Thanks for any help
 
i use a toaster oven to heat...i think i have it set at about 2-250 deg and just watch the kydex until the edges start to curl up then its ready.
 
I've only recently started working with Kydex. I too use a toaster oven. I bought mine at a yard sale for $3.00:)

One thing I've found is that the toaster oven heats unevenly and will not always get the whole piece of Kydex evenly soft and flexible. Some times the edges will start to curl while the center isn't completely heated yet. Last weekend I tried putting a piece of 3/8 aluminum plate scrap that almost covered teh rack in my toaster oven and letting it preheat for 20 minutes. It has made a huge difference in my ability to get the Kydex to form arount the work piece.

There a tuorials around, but a lot of it is trial and error.
 
Hobbes said:
I'm sure this has been discussed, but the search fuction doesn't seem to work for me- it just pulls up a blank page. For those that make sheaths, what do you use to heat it? How hot does it need to get?
Thanks for any help
Click to expand...

I do it in the kitchen oven, I did it on a gas BBQ grill once just to see if it would work, You can't control the heat well enough on a grill.

heat depends on thickness. The 3/32 (.090) material most people use needs to be heated at 300º to 325º for about 5 minutes. Thicker material needs slightly higher temps.

Many guys use an old toaster oven. Some even use a heat gun, I tried that to zero success.

You need to make a press to squeeze the kydex knife sandwich in. I used one of those closed cell foam garden kneeling pads I cut it in half and glued it to two equal sized pieces of micarta with contact cement. Plywood will work fine.

You will need some gloves to handle the hot material, I use some Terrycloth gloves I found at a hardware store.
and you will need some clamps. C clamps are good, large ones.

make a patern with 1 1/2" all the way around the area of the knife you want to cover. Don't worry about the finished shape just a large rectangle. cut two pieces of kydex using the patern, Or use one piece double width and fold it when hot. wash this well with soap and water. and dry.

I heat the kydex and lay everything out so I can grab it and use it quickly.

I take the kydex out of the oven, place it on one half of the forming press, position the knife on top of the kydex, fold over the kydex or place the second piece of kydex on top, place the other half of the forming press on top and clamp with the C clamps. let cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from forming press, Remove knife, drill for rivets , rivet and trim to finished shape with a saw.
Sand the edges smooth.
 
I too use a toaster oven. I have it set to a little over 200 degrees. I find that any hotter and the kydex will tend to bubble. I wait for the kydex to have the same feeling as wet leather and should be plyable. Make sure that you have everything ready for it to go into a press. If not the kydex will cool and wont form as easily.

Tip 1: I cover the knife with blue painters tape. This allows a little "wiggle" room for the knife. This will also minimize scratches on the knife surface.

Tip 2: I originally made a press out of an old camp foam pad. I then discovered the "kydex foam", I think it does work better. I also made a kydex press out of scrap 3/16" plate steel. I think it was a tire stop on a lift from a local ford dealership. But hey I cant complain it was free. :)

Tip 3: I use a heat gun to finish the sheath. Many times when the sheath comes out of the press it is not even from side to side of the knife or for whatever reason the sheath didn't take the shape that it should have. You can use a heat gun to specifically heat that area. Turn the heat gun up and keep it moving across the kydex. Do not over heat the kydex. It will look like there is a wet spot on the kydex if it gets too hot.


Hope this helps and is not too long. :)
 
I am making some right now in fact. I use a heat gun on high and blow over the kydex back and forth until it starts to curl on the corners and sides. I will also handle the kydex some to make sure it is soft enough to work with.
 
Thanks again guys for being so helpful.
I was checking out some sheaths and holsters the other day and thought "gee, if I could get some kydex I bet I could that myself." Well, I think I can, thanks again!
 
Hi guys,
I used to be PlaceKnives, but I don't make knives anymore, just sheaths hence the new name. Anyway looks like all of your questions have already been answered but as far as heating the kydex, a great piece of gear I couldn't live without is my 22" electric skillet. It heats up fast and even and you can watch it and access it quickly as it heats. The surface is also teflon coated and smooth so you don't get droops or sags. Good luck and most importantly, have fun!
Take care,
J. Place
Maximus Custom Sheaths
www.maximuscustomsheaths.com
 
MaximusCustomSheaths said:
Hi guys,
I used to be PlaceKnives, but I don't make knives anymore, just sheaths hence the new name. Anyway looks like all of your questions have already been answered but as far as heating the kydex, a great piece of gear I couldn't live without is my 22" electric skillet. It heats up fast and even and you can watch it and access it quickly as it heats. The surface is also teflon coated and smooth so you don't get droops or sags. Good luck and most importantly, have fun!
Take care,
J. Place
Maximus Custom Sheaths
www.maximuscustomsheaths.com
Click to expand...
That is an interesting idea, I bet I could pick one up at a garage sale...
 
If you have the small toaster oven get a small ¼ piece of steel and put that in the rack. That helped me with even heat. I also put a piece of felt (just set it on there no glue) this allows easy removal. Make sure you do not over hest.
 
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