Kydex Experiment

Gliden07

Gliden07

Well-Known Member
So I bought an Arbor press modified it to press Kydex rivets. Wanted to try it out before I made a real sheath for my first knife. So I made one for my cheapie camp hatchet. Check it out. The modified arbor press works awesome! Keep in mind I have 0 experience with this material. IMG_20170716_6478.jpg IMG_20170716_6478.jpg IMG_20170716_51397.jpg
 
Most of us use arbor presses with eyelet dies as well. Normally it's just a matter of drilling a 3/8" hole (give or take) into the anvil and the end of the ram, and inserting a set of eyelet pressing dies. I think boss dog even sells them pre-drilled in his store, but it's a pretty basic operation. Looks like you have it working nicely!
 
ARCustomKnives said:
Most of us use arbor presses with eyelet dies as well. Normally it's just a matter of drilling a 3/8" hole (give or take) into the anvil and the end of the ram, and inserting a set of eyelet pressing dies. I think boss dog even sells them pre-drilled in his store, but it's a pretty basic operation. Looks like you have it working nicely!
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I had posted earlier asking how to modify the press but no-one posted so i went to You-Tube and watched some videos. It was straight forward like you mentioned. I did add a magnet in the presses lower plate to retain the lower die, and make it easy to remove. Worked very good. I'm debating on grinding the 2 teeth on the Ram off to get that ratcheting effect as the Ram is in the ideal spot at this time?
 
opaul said:
I need to learn how to make kydex sheaths. Good job.
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You Tube is your friend on this Opal! Check out Arronn Gough and Walter Sorels channels. I t was pretty cheap to get into also. The dies were the most expensive thing. I lucked out and found an unused HF arbor press at a tag sale for 15 bucks!! So even with the Kydex I'm into it for less than $100 easily.
 
I usemy drill press. I got a set of dies from Knifekits. I drilled a hole in a piece of steel to hold lower die and Chuck top die up. Just lower the Chuck is enough to do the rivet.
 
Gliden07 said:
I had posted earlier asking how to modify the press but no-one posted so i went to You-Tube and watched some videos. It was straight forward like you mentioned. I did add a magnet in the presses lower plate to retain the lower die, and make it easy to remove. Worked very good. I'm debating on grinding the 2 teeth on the Ram off to get that ratcheting effect as the Ram is in the ideal spot at this time?
Click to expand...

I haven't seen anybody grind their arbor press teeth, though that's an interesting idea. For my press, given its size and stroke length, plus the distance of the dies, I don't really see any advantage, as I don't typically have to pull my handle more than 180 degrees (probably much less) in order to get a press each time.
 
ARCustomKnives said:
I haven't seen anybody grind their arbor press teeth, though that's an interesting idea. For my press, given its size and stroke length, plus the distance of the dies, I don't really see any advantage, as I don't typically have to pull my handle more than 180 degrees (probably much less) in order to get a press each time.
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I'm not sure I need the teeth ground down mod. But I'll post the link to YouTube if you want to take a gander at it?


I can see where this would be helpful but again I'm just squishing rivits, and the arm seems to be in a good position when I use it now.
 
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