panch0
07-23-2009, 02:18 PM
Hey guys I made a so so kydex sheath for a knife and took some pics of the action.
Materials
.060 kydex sheet
black sharpie
folder
electrical scissors
Dremel tool with sanding barrels
heat gun and/or toaster oven
Some plywood with door hinges
some blue foam from walmart camping section.
1st I trace out the back part of the sheat and then copy over to the kydex and cut the piece out.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip035.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip034.jpg
2nd I get my homeade press out and plan out the way I am going to lay out the kydex over the knife. Remember if you are going to make a lefty or righty sheath. Then get out another piece of kydex larger than the one cut out previousley. Get a clamp ready to go.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip036.jpg
Pop the piece of kydex into the oven and wait until it is very plyable not melting. Having everything ready to go take it out of the over and go to the press and lay it on top of theknife and close the press. Then clamp down securely. And let cool off for at least 10 minutes.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip037.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip038.jpg
This is what comes out.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip039.jpg
Next I draw where I want the holes/rivets to be.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip041.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip040.jpg
Then I go over to the drill press and clamp the pieces together and drill a hole for the rivets. I start at the bottom and as soon as I drill the first on I put a rivet. This is to help hold the two pieces together. The I put the rest of the rivets in. The rivet dies are from Texas Knifemakers supply.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip042.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip043.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip044.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip046.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip047.jpg
Then I head over to the belt grinder to grind off the excess.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip048.jpg
Then I get ou the heat gun and heat up the flap I left on the first piece. and mold it over a piece of wood.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip049.jpg
Affter this I finich shaping the sheath with a dremel too and sand the edges up to 600 grit. and here is what I ended up with.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip051.jpg
This is only the fourth kydex sheath I have ever done. I have alot to learn and I am sure there are better ways to do this and I will happily accept any advice. I enjoyed doing this. Hope it helps someone.
Materials
.060 kydex sheet
black sharpie
folder
electrical scissors
Dremel tool with sanding barrels
heat gun and/or toaster oven
Some plywood with door hinges
some blue foam from walmart camping section.
1st I trace out the back part of the sheat and then copy over to the kydex and cut the piece out.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip035.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip034.jpg
2nd I get my homeade press out and plan out the way I am going to lay out the kydex over the knife. Remember if you are going to make a lefty or righty sheath. Then get out another piece of kydex larger than the one cut out previousley. Get a clamp ready to go.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip036.jpg
Pop the piece of kydex into the oven and wait until it is very plyable not melting. Having everything ready to go take it out of the over and go to the press and lay it on top of theknife and close the press. Then clamp down securely. And let cool off for at least 10 minutes.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip037.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip038.jpg
This is what comes out.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip039.jpg
Next I draw where I want the holes/rivets to be.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip041.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip040.jpg
Then I go over to the drill press and clamp the pieces together and drill a hole for the rivets. I start at the bottom and as soon as I drill the first on I put a rivet. This is to help hold the two pieces together. The I put the rest of the rivets in. The rivet dies are from Texas Knifemakers supply.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip042.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip043.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip044.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip046.jpg
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip047.jpg
Then I head over to the belt grinder to grind off the excess.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip048.jpg
Then I get ou the heat gun and heat up the flap I left on the first piece. and mold it over a piece of wood.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip049.jpg
Affter this I finich shaping the sheath with a dremel too and sand the edges up to 600 grit. and here is what I ended up with.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu51/panch074/wip051.jpg
This is only the fourth kydex sheath I have ever done. I have alot to learn and I am sure there are better ways to do this and I will happily accept any advice. I enjoyed doing this. Hope it helps someone.