Press for making Kydex toys

[Echo2]

Waiting on foam....and a ratchet wrench for the bolts....

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/press1.jpg

The pedal lifts it up about 5" and allows it to swing out of the way.....

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/press2.jpg

The nuts will tighten down and have about 3" of possible compression.

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/press3.jpg

I built this for the Mrs about 10 yrs ago....for a flower press....but I think it will work until I build one for myself.

I have an oven that only one stove top burner that works....the the oven works fine.

[ak474u]

You may wanna build a stop of some sort to limit downward compression on a gun. I'd be willing to bet that press could crush a Glock. My press gives a little even at its tightest compression allowing for no damage of the firearm. If you can't get good definition with that press, just give up. Lol


Oh, and if you press a polymer gun, put an empty mag in it for extra strength.

[Echo2]

You may wanna build a stop of some sort to limit downward compression on a gun. I'd be willing to bet that press could crush a Glock. My press gives a little even at its tightest compression allowing for no damage of the firearm. If you can't get good definition with that press, just give up. Lol


Oh, and if you press a polymer gun, put an empty mag in it for extra strength.

Yup....I plan on cutting some stops....:)....knives for now though.

[Sniper-T]

I built this for the Mrs about 10 yrs ago....for a flower press....but I think it will work until I build one for myself...

Holy Crap!! you guys must have some tough assed flowers out there! :eek:

[Echo2]

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/fluke.jpg

Another piece to the puzzle...:)

- - - Updated - - -

AK....What are you heating with?

[ak474u]

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/fluke.jpg

Another piece to the puzzle...:)

- - - Updated - - -

AK....What are you heating with?


El cheapo black and decker toaster oven, wife kicked me out of the kitchen when I used the regular oven. And, the ir thermometer is a good buy, a toaster oven's temp setting has NOTHING to do with actual temperature. I'm getting a sweet oster brand convection oven pretty soon so I can do more multi-layer holsters, and larger blanks faster. I press most of my kydex at 315-325* lots of foam sticks at 345*+ so in the interest of more foam life, I press slightly cooler. Phillyedc on YouTube has some of the best DIY tutorials I've ever seen, I watch them for reminders on occasion too.

[Echo2]

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/arborpress-1.jpg

Another piece of the puzzle....

Also got a heat gun.....and dug out my scroll saw.

[Echo2]

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/saw.jpg

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/arborpress.jpg

[Echo2]

First project.....

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y484/echo26c/firsttry.jpg

[robsdak]

nice!!! i am liking it.

[Echo2]

A appliance repair guy just dropped off a oven to me.....for the best price in the world....FREE...:)

Next project may be for a Leatherman and a Streamlight Microstream....This is fun.

[ak474u]

You're doing it all wrong! Just kidding, that sheath looks good. I'm building 3 light holsters for co-workers this weekend, and just shipped off a G19 holster to my brother. I can't wait till we get our new place so I have an actual dedicated shop area. I can probably crank out an OWB holster in 2 hours once the space challenges are overcome. I've developed a universal (sorta) mag pouch I'll share the trick on once I get it perfected.

[Echo2]

Where are you buying you eyelets?

[ak474u]

Where are you buying you eyelets?

Knifekits mostly, there's another supplier called index fasteners that has lots of goodies, I'm gonna try them next time. I get the eyelets for the thicker kydex becaus they're more universal. KSYR69-100 is the eyelet I use, I can rivet 3 layers of .060 with these, but there's no disadvantage to using them on 2 layers of .060. I like standardizing, so other than some special projects these will do whatever you need them to.

[Evolver]

Add this to the puzzle as a protector?

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQfoDoh6dMUSdYF6DkUtEopKeSQlcdu i_1sLxBk-B0twYQEnlySQ

[Echo2]

Add this to the puzzle as a protector?

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQfoDoh6dMUSdYF6DkUtEopKeSQlcdu i_1sLxBk-B0twYQEnlySQ

?......protector?

[Echo2]

For those interested.....color selection.

http://www.professionalplastics.com/professionalplastics/KydexSheetColors.pdf

[ak474u]

For those interested.....color selection.

http://www.professionalplastics.com/professionalplastics/KydexSheetColors.pdf


I wanna make a holster in Cabernet colored kydex, it'll be all the rage at the country club wine tastings. Lol

[Echo2]

I wanna make a holster in Cabernet colored kydex, it'll be all the rage at the country club wine tastings. Lol

The neon green would go for the zombie crowd...:)

[Metrocruiser]

Hi
Nice sheath.

I just ordered a 36 in cold steel katana.
I am thinking to get into this fun hobby as well.
I've got a heat gun, ir temp gun. Vise. Jigsaw. Clamps. Imagination.

Do you guys have any links to some basic tutorials?
Im planning to make a scabbard for the katana. Over the shoulder.

[ak474u]

Hi
Nice sheath.

I just ordered a 36 in cold steel katana.
I am thinking to get into this fun hobby as well.
I've got a heat gun, ir temp gun. Vise. Jigsaw. Clamps. Imagination.

Do you guys have any links to some basic tutorials?
Im planning to make a scabbard for the katana. Over the shoulder.

Look up phillyedc on YouTube, he's done really good videos. There are some knife sheath guys with good vids too

[Echo2]

Look up phillyedc on YouTube, he's done really good videos. There are some knife sheath guys with good vids too

Yup....that dude has some very informative vids.....very useful.

[Metrocruiser]

Hey guys, thanks for the tips.
My kat should arrive sometime later this week, I cant wait, im all giggly like a school kid when I think about slicing 5 big coke bottles filled with water.
Is it ok if I go over my scabbard plan with you in this thread? materials, parts, concept.
I need to micky mouse a press together and was wondering about a cheap alternative type non melting foam for a 1 or 2 time use only. However, lol, Ill prolly get addicted to this hobby and have to get some pro stuff afterwards.
I dont have a scroll or band saw, only a jig and angle grinder. was thinking to vise the grinder.

Merry xmas

[ak474u]

Hey guys, thanks for the tips.
My kat should arrive sometime later this week, I cant wait, im all giggly like a school kid when I think about slicing 5 big coke bottles filled with water.
Is it ok if I go over my scabbard plan with you in this thread? materials, parts, concept.
I need to micky mouse a press together and was wondering about a cheap alternative type non melting foam for a 1 or 2 time use only. However, lol, Ill prolly get addicted to this hobby and have to get some pro stuff afterwards.
I dont have a scroll or band saw, only a jig and angle grinder. was thinking to vise the grinder.

Merry xmas

You can use a coping saw, and if its a flat piece of kydex, it can be cut easily with a razor knife. Some people that do sheaths use those puzzle piece floor mats that you'd put under a piece of workout equipment, but they are as expensive as the pressing foam. The stuff for the gym does not give much, so it'd have to be used on sheaths only, but yields nice results on flat items. YMMV

[Echo2]

Post anything here dealing with Kydex...or heck....holster making in general....it crosses over...:)