My Kydex Press, and questions....

Alain M-D

Alain M-D

Joined
Jan 20, 2002
Messages
237
press.jpg


I have just finished my kydex press. Now It remains to buy some Kydex...
And make some try... On this subject, I have some questions:

- Which thickness of foam work the best with Kydex. Now I have about
1 thick. on each side That is enought ?

- Does somebody among use Tek-Lok? Is this an interesting solution to
replace belt loop ? Which size is best? (Large or Small ?)

- Which is the length (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) of Chicago screw to use for Kydex 0,06 and 0,09.

- Somebody with already used of the Birchwood Casey Brass Black Metal
Finish sold by Knifekits to blacken brass ? Is it resistant enought foy eyelets
and chicago screw on a kydex sheath ?

Thanks !

Alain M-D
 
Jeeze I just bought a Wilton wood working vise... I really feel like a slacker now!:D The thickness of the material depends on the size of knife...
At least to my way of thinking... Looks like you will have a good rig to make sheaths though!
 
Whoops! Misread the post... I think Texas Knifemakers sells the right foam for molding sheaths... Getting the right stuff makes ALL the difference...
 
Brass black doesn't turn brass all black, you end up with an antiqued or aged finish. The finish is pretty durable and it's possible to darken the patina if you repeat the process a few times, but I think it's easier to buy eyelets which are already black.

My Page

P.S. That press is awesome.
 
Nice press. Way more hi tech than mine. I clamp the sheath between the foam and 2 2/10 boards in a vise.
 
Damn, that's a fancy kydex press. Like he said -- just go for the already blackened rivets. Just make sure and protect the finish when setting them with a towel or something (unless you're also building a fancy rivet setter. :D ).
 
Hi Alain,

I have been using the blue sleeping pad foam. I usually use two or three layers (1 to 1.5") on either surface (depends largely on handle thickness). I get a nicely defined sheath. I would likely use even more if my press...umm...vice..would allow it. :rolleyes:

I have been using 1/4" Screws with the 0.09" kydex with good success (I have been using my own belt loops).

Also...If you are looking for a source of materials here in Canada, Jeff Diotte is now carrying Tek-Loks (he also has concealex...forgot to ask if he has chicago screws and eyelets).

Take Care
Dean

ps...Great Press by the way!!
 
Originally posted by STUMP
Way more hi tech than mine.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah...!

Nice press!


I'm even less high-tech: I use two sheets of plywood with a triple-layer of foam pad glued to each one and I stand on the dagummed thing until it stops moving! :eek:

I recently made a heavy-duty sheath for a large 17" knife (leather over very thick kydex) and I had to sit on it for a hour and a half. :confused: :rolleyes:

Saw a coupla good TV shows in the process...

Dan
 
That looks KICK ASS ! Nice work ! 1" will do ya right. I use Tek Lock and they are fine. You should getthe larger ones, the small ones are usually too small. Especially for knives like fighters and hunters or Camp knives. I also use the Blade Tech IWB loops, they are great. Easy to use and they are easily adjustable. They're good for smaller knives you'ld want to conceal in your waitband. Good luck, you are are the right track no doubt. Peace.....RDT
 
First off: great looking press!! That certainly makes the process a whole lot easier.

Trace is absolutely right...the right foam is crucial. Texas Knife's or Knifekit's foam (the same stuff) is perfect. The bluse sleeping pad foam, in my experience, is bad because it doesn't like to loose the molded shape created by the knife after your pressing is done. 1" thick on each side is, in my experience, enough.

CC's? 1/8" works great for 0.090" kydex, although I'm using eyelets for that now. Do a shearch for emc2 office supplies or something, they have them in that size.
 
Hey Alain...

Great looking press...

I have an idea for you to think about though...

Lower your mold, so the stroke of the jack is only about 3"....

The only proper way to do that is to slip a block of wood in there somewhere..

The reason for this is that your stroke is sooo long that it will take a Very long time to pump that up to height....

Set it up, so a block of wood, about 4" X 4" can be slipped in with minimal space, so yuor stroke will be shorter...

Drop me an email if you have questions..

ttyle

Eric...
 
The reason for this is that your stroke is sooo long that it will take a Very long time to pump that up to height....

amen, pumping a jack for 1-2 minutes while your kydex sets up sucks.

the only thing i would recommend that Normark didnt is either replace your springs with really weak springs or get rid of them altogether. they will be a big hassle when trying to insert the wooden spacer.

i find blue sleeping pad foam works fine, as it gets molded by the heat you just have to 1.) replace it or 2.) add more pressure.

i dont like teklocks myself, i find them too bulky.

nice simple design though, looks like mine ;)
 
Is there a Kydex tutorial floating around out there? I'd love to learn how to work with that stuff! Anyone?
 
The reason for this is that your stroke is sooo long that it will take a Very long time to pump that up to height....

>>amen, pumping a jack for 1-2 minutes while your kydex sets up sucks.
Click to expand...

I can adjust the height while turning the screw in the top of Jack. In this ways I can adjust the space between the two foam as I want it (before starting to pump, I can adjust to have only the space required tu put the kydex and the knife). As regards pumping, that goes rather quickly, 5-6 blows are enough to compress well and that takes only few seconds...

Thanks all for your comments and advices !
Alain M-D
 
Andrew Lynch said:
First off: great looking press!! That certainly makes the process a whole lot easier.

Trace is absolutely right...the right foam is crucial. Texas Knife's or Knifekit's foam (the same stuff) is perfect. The bluse sleeping pad foam, in my experience, is bad because it doesn't like to loose the molded shape created by the knife after your pressing is done. 1" thick on each side is, in my experience, enough.

CC's? 1/8" works great for 0.090" kydex, although I'm using eyelets for that now. Do a shearch for emc2 office supplies or something, they have them in that size.
Click to expand...

I have purchased the foam from both places, the foam from Texas Knife is considerably denser than the foam from knifekits.

I reccomend the knifekits foam.
 
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