Anyone on here forming their own Kydex?

[thebrasilian]

I got the bug. I can't see spending $70 for a crossbreed holster or $50 for the Galco. So today I started building a vacuum box to form my own Kydex.

 

[fordnut]

P.M. David 29461...He has done some with it at home. His work looks good...

Steve

 

[Dave29461]

This an interesting site and video. I like the sound of the vacuum table/box. I've used the foam press method. My wife said no more warming things in the oven so I have to get an inexpensive toaster oven. :lol: This video shows a twist by using a rigid block cut-out to help form the Kydex uniformly. I may try this myself.
http://oldfaithfulholsters.com/?p=839

 

[C_Carson]

Great video. Wonder how much sheets of kydex cost?

 

[thebrasilian]

Here's the cheapest I found so far: http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=41_54_136
But you can always buy 4x8 sheets.

 

[Red Hat]

That's where I buy my Kydex, knifekits.com You don't need a vacuum box to make holsters just the foam pads to to put pressure on it to form around the firearm. It only takes me about 20 minutes to make one. Here's my IWB tuckable holster I make.

 

[Dave29461]

I've also ordered parts and kydex from this site.
http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/index.php

 

[Enjay]

My old farrier used kydex to help treat a colt who had done some pretty severe damage to his hoof wall, and he gave me a couple of sheets to use to lengthen some slide boots for my mare, for which I used a hair dryer to form it, but that's about the extent of my experience with it.

It looks like quite the fun thing to mess around with.

 

[Schultz]

My old farrier used kydex to help treat a colt who had done some pretty severe damage to his hoof wall, and he gave me a couple of sheets to use to lengthen some slide boots for my mare, for which I used a hair dryer to form it, but that's about the extent of my experience with it.

I always wondered but never asked my farrier why he had that stuff.

I don't really need a holster but I bet I could make a decent mag holder or two with it.

 

[thebrasilian]

Update:

My 12" X 24" Kydex came in on today. Knife works offers Fedex Residential 1 day shipping. The cost was $9.90 for Fedex vs $9.45 for 3 day USPS.

I cut the box parts yesterday as well. The will be 10.5" x 10.5". A frame will be used to hold the Kydex over the box. I will post pictures when finished.

 

[mark_b]

Redhat - that is a nice looking holster that you made. I like the riveted belt clip better that the formed Kydex belt loop. How much Kydex did you use to make it?

The links in the above posts were very interesting reading. I never knew that it was possible to make these a Kydex holster yourself.

I'm looking forward to seeing the results from thebrasilians vacuum box.

Mark

 

[thebrasilian]

I'm hoping to work on it this Sunday.

 

[Tigerstripe]

i wonder if a vaccum bag sealer would work.

 

[Red Hat]

Redhat - that is a nice looking holster that you made. I like the riveted belt clip better that the formed Kydex belt loop. How much Kydex did you use to make it?

You just need enough Kydex to fold over the firearm once it's pliable so the amount is determined by the size of the firearm.

 

[thebrasilian]

i wonder if a vaccum bag sealer would work.

I think you would run into problems with making a flat surface unless you could support the Kydex somehow. To pull the vacuum I plan on using a shop vac which draws a lot more volume than the sealer.

I just realized that I should only need about a 6" x 6" piece of Kydex to make the holster. That means I have enough Kydex to make 24 holsters :shock: .

 

[thebrasilian]

Got the box built. I did try to form some Kydex. Didn't work out to well. What I learned is that you do need a frame to hold the material while it's in the oven. Kydex will shrink when heated.

Also for those that have a significant other. You may want to make sure they won't be in the house for a little bit of time. It will stink up the house. :shock:

 

[Dave29461]

Toaster oven...garage... domestic bliss