straight up/down clamp kydex press?

Will52100

Will52100

Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
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I've been using a hinged press, but the other day at a show I saw a holster maker with one that basically swings out of the way and when ready to clamp swings back and presses straight down with a hand leaver/cam. I've looked on line but haven't seen anything like it. Not looking to buy, but if I can get a good look at it I might build it. My press works, but I like the idea of pressing straight up and down with one clamp.

Any ideas?
 
Here's something that's been floating around in my head, but haven't tried to build anything yet. It would be like an arbor press. Picture a scroll saw shape and on the end of the upper arm you have this toggle clamp with a sheet of aluminum (or whatever) with the foam attached to it. You put your kydex and knife on the table below it and then pull this lever down.

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I'd probably build the "C" frame out of 2 inch square tubing. The problem I see is being able to raise it high enough so that you could put the kydex and knife on the table without messing up the alignment. Like you mentioned it could swing out of the way. I would also probably put clamps on the side after it was clamped down to get even pressure.

Paul
 
I've been looking at them, I just wish I'd been able to get pics of the holster set up, but no camera's in the show. I figured it was a professionally built model, but haven't seen anything like it before and can't find it on line. The one the holster maker was using was spring loaded and looked like it had about 6" of clearance between the pads.
 
I'm going to build a book press style kydex press at some point I think. With the hinge type presses they can cause uneven pressure closer to the hinge which isn't optimal imo. I think the key is being able to close the press somewhat quick so you're pressing the kydex around the object before it cools.
 
I used my little 20 ton H frame press for a while. Now that I have a vacuum pump I am going to just build a vacuum forming "press."
 
Man that Orange County Tactical press is disgustingly overpriced. That's maybe $2 in wood and screws, then the screw to press it. Someone is making bank if they're selling them.
 
Just get a wood vise with the quick release onto it . Mount it up and down and add bigger steel plates to the jaws.Then add your foam. Hold the quick release over and screw it up. Then when your ready to press just hold the handle and push the release. It drops straight down. I have this setup in my shop and it work beautifully. Sorry I'm out of the shop till the 19th but if someone wants pictures I'll be glad to send them when I get home. Just email me at kcknives.ca
 
Would love to see pics Kevin, only wood vise I'm used to seeing is too small to work unless you used two of them. I do have one set up for my aluminum quench plates. I'm not in a big hurry, but I'm thinking if I build one it'll be something like the Orange County Tactical, except I'd mortise the top wood bar in and make a thick base, probably make it out of hard wood as well.
 
No I only use one but have steel plates onto the jaws. But mine you you can get some big ones. My plates with foam is around 7x14 . And the steel plates I have on there is 3/8 thick . I've been use it for years and only do kydrex cases so far so good. You can see some of my work on Instagram under kcknives.
 
Thanks, I think I've got the idea, just most I've seen were too small and won't center up. But then haven't really looked for larger wood vises.
 
Well, you could look for an old book binding vise. Depending on the model they can have large wooden pads that size of at least dina3.

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