My Kydex keeps curling up!!!!

sulsaMatt

sulsaMatt

Joined
Jan 29, 2007
Messages
199
Hey guys, I have been in my shop much more than near a computer, and I didn't know who better to ask...

I'm using .09 Concealex from Tracy, and it keeps curling into a tube when I heat it in my state of the art toaster oven:rolleyes: when I move to my press the edges are so curled, that the piece cools before I can make it flat.

i should mention that this is a two piece sheath and not a folded type.

am I just an idiot?!

Any advice would be a great help.

thanks in advance!
 
You are leaving it in too long would be my guess. I watch it closely and when the edges start to move up and down then go limp is whe I pull the sheet out. I am no pro, but its what I have seen in my Toast Master 7000xlt version 4.5 with Turbo I bought at the flee market.:eek:;):D
 
Thanks Pancho,
These are the same signs I was looking for... The edges never "rested", so I waited a little longer, and the curl got more dramatic by the second! Eventually I ended up w/ a mini maglite holster, instead of a knife sheath. I'm about to go back to leather!
 
I cook mine on a pre-heated cookie sheet in the oven at 350 for 2 minutes. (.093)
When I tried the toaster oven I had problems when it cycled on to maintain temp, fried my kydex!:grumpy:

Edit, my "recipe" is for kydex:thumbup:
 
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ok, my first problem is the two piece design... My kung-fu just ain't that strong:D I'm using my oven now with the fold over technique and results are decent. Thanks you guys pics will follow when done.
Also a big thanks to Tracy @ USA Knifemakers supply!
 
Yeah, the edges will curl up when overheated. I let the toaster oven heat up to just above the temp I need it to be, and then I put the product in and watch until it just starts to lift at the corners. When you take it out, it should be limp almost like a wet noodle.

--nathan
 
This is a real blast! I have the process down and am starting to kydex wrap EVERYTHING!
Now, if I could just find my daughter...
 
im glad i have my kiln as it makes things a snap
set at 400 adn preheat
then do all the kydex i want as it only slightly curls if i leave it in to long
 
Sorry for the delay... here is the finished product with its knife. So waddya think? Not too bad for a first attempt at kydex? Thanks for all the help!
 

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Some kydex will roll up when you heat it, before it's overheated. Usually when it starts doing this, I'll pull it out of the oven and turn it inside-out and use the grate to hold it apart.
 
steelnut said:
Very nice!:thumbup:
What is the knife?
Click to expand...

Thanks! I designed the knife for a martial arts club that does some knife work. It's called the Ridgeback Knives "Technician".
1095 Ht'd to 58hrc then cryo'd @ -300F w/ black powdercoat

This was the first time doing a knife batch- pretty fun doing these 10 at a time.
 
Yeah, you will get some curling, which can suck.

I have found in similar circumstances that the curling interfered, but that if I used a large piece of material, then the curled ends just get cut off.

Also, there is no reason that a pancake cannot mold as a fold over, and then you can cut the fold off....

Marion
 
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Just a note to tell Marion that I was just in Spokane Falls two weeks ago. I should have checked around to see if there were any makers in the area :/
 
Well, I am not totally a maker yet...

I don't have my own shop, I am apprenticing with Bob Alderman, in Sagle Idaho.

But, there are a few makers around....

Mike Igo and Peter Bromley are in Airway Heights.

Mike Mann of Idaho Knife Works is in Blanchard/Spirit Lake

Scott Sawby is in Sandpoint or thereabouts.

Josh Smith is just over the mountains in Montana.

Allen Blade used to live here.

Marion
 
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