Tip O the Day (KYDEX)

Dr.Lathe

Dr.Lathe

Joined
Aug 4, 1999
Messages
2,596
After trying many different foams for forming my Kydex, I found the blue camping mat material to be the best. Any place that sells sleeping bags has them for about $7.
The only problem I found with it is that at a good forming temperature, the foam slightly melts and sticks to the Kydex
mad.gif

To stop this problem, I spray the textured side of the Kydex with PAM!! This allows me to increase the molding temperature for even better forms and stops the sticking 100%
smile.gif
Once the form is complete and cool I wash the PAM off in the sink with dish soap.
My sheaths show more definition using this techniqe than ever before
biggrin.gif


Neil

------------------
Blackwood Knives
Talonite knives in stock!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Hey Neil....

Good tip...!
This is called Mold Release...

A better one to use yet is WD-40,, as it won't leave your sheaths greasy feeling...

Pam can sometimes smell funny as well,,were WD40 is just an oily familiar smell..
Although I may try that new Garlic Pam.. Hmmm
smile.gif


I take my concealex up to this temperature now by just the feel and look of it...

ttyle Eric...

------------------
Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!

 
Hi Neil,

Is the blue camping mats textured? Do they leave an imprint in the kydex?

I found some kids pool toys (like body boards) at k-mart that I might try since they are totally smooth. Only about $6 for a pack of 2.

Thanks for the mold release tips guys...I never thought of that.
Keep those tips coming...sometimes it's the obvious that gets missed.

------------------
~~TOM~~
 
Ben E,
My old girlfriend sprayed Armorall on my race tires in between autocross heats! She made the tires look great but.... I just about killed myself going around the coarse. That stuff is beyond slippery, I don't know how it handles temperature!!

Shappa,
The blue camp mats are not textured. They are rather dense and I have been using pieces of the same mat for about 3 months now. I use one layer and under my socks and feet for best results
smile.gif
I never had ANY luck with a press!
Neil

------------------
Blackwood Knives
Talonite knives in stock!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
Try a product called ethafoam. It is used in industrial isulation, archery targets and hot tub covers. Its avaliable in diferent densities so that you can vary the front to back definition on your sheaths. Two 2 in thick peices backed by some plywood squash it together in a vice, works great for forming leather pouches too.
Originally posted by Dr.Lathe:
After trying many different foams for forming my Kydex, I found the blue camping mat material to be the best. Any place that sells sleeping bags has them for about $7.
The only problem I found with it is that at a good forming temperature, the foam slightly melts and sticks to the Kydex
mad.gif

To stop this problem, I spray the textured side of the Kydex with PAM!! This allows me to increase the molding temperature for even better forms and stops the sticking 100%
smile.gif
Once the form is complete and cool I wash the PAM off in the sink with dish soap.
My sheaths show more definition using this techniqe than ever before
biggrin.gif


Neil
Click to expand...

 
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