DIY Kydex Work - Sheaths, Holsters, and Such

[DAVE_M]

WHat are you using for foam? I made my press out of scrap wood and the mat you can buy at walmart for camping just doubled up. Never had a problem with kydex at 325ish.

Currently using Maxx Form foam from KnifeKits. It works fairly well, but had some sticking issues when I got the kydex up to higher temps.

I went to Lowe's and picked up a Scroll Saw to make trimming easier. It works very well with kydex, eats right through it. I have the holster trimmed and riveted together, but I need to get a heat gun to bend the ends. I'll make a trip to harbor freight this evening or tomorrow evening and I should have it all done by then. I'm not sure what I want to do with hardware yet.

 

[AK shooter]

Nice work!

 

[Harrisracing]

Try it with milk jugs...I have been experimenting lately. I use 3 layers of standard milk jug material. I put parchment paper on a pan and then put one layer at a time in the oven. They get CLEAR when they are melted. You can then yank them out and use a rolling pin to flatten them. You do such good work, I would like to see what you are capable of with 100% recycled (free) materials. I have done mine with NOTHING but household items. I even finish-melt my front and rear layer together with an iron on the outsides to avoid purchasing rivets or any type of fastener. While I haven't carried with these, they make great pocket / backpack holsters for when you just need to cover the trigger and retain.

 

[DAVE_M]

Try it with milk jugs...I have been experimenting lately. I use 3 layers of standard milk jug material. I put parchment paper on a pan and then put one layer at a time in the oven. They get CLEAR when they are melted. You can then yank them out and use a rolling pin to flatten them. You do such good work, I would like to see what you are capable of with 100% recycled (free) materials. I have done mine with NOTHING but household items. I even finish-melt my front and rear layer together with an iron on the outsides to avoid purchasing rivets or any type of fastener. While I haven't carried with these, they make great pocket / backpack holsters for when you just need to cover the trigger and retain.

There are materials similar to the milk jugs, called Holstex and Boltaron, each with their own structural pros and cons. I have yet to try them out, but would like to experiment with other materials one day.

 

[cbr900son]

I like the heat gun and spoon to press into tight corners etc to get a real good fit.

 

[DAVE_M]

I like the heat gun and spoon to press into tight corners etc to get a real good fit.

I haven't had to use the heat gun for fitting issues yet, but I do use a heat gun to bend the edges.

A ton of hand sanding later and the first "prototype" complete. It's not perfect, but it's highly functional. I goofed with the scroll saw a few times and overheated the edge with the heat gun, but both are on the backside and won't be seen. I don't have any OWB loops or have time to make any, so for now, it will be IWB.

 

[AK shooter]

Nice work. I still am undecided if I want to invest in the stuff to start making holsters.

 

[bipolarbear]

Thats some pretty nice work. I started getting into Kydex late last year but ended up getting side tracked by making split molds of some handguns. I just finished getting my supplies together to mold a couple handguns, now I just need some free time to get to work.

 

[Jasarii]

Looks great Dave!

Here is what I use to make Kydex belt loops:

And the press I made for the holsters:

Had some free time earlier today and made this one piece holster from .80 Kydex. Gotta love YouTube for some ideas on different holster builds.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DAVE_M]

That holster came out great, Will! It's definitely fun to make, once all the right tools are available!

I'm going to make some kydex loops for now, but I'll end up going with injection molded loops. They look cleaner and should last longer. They are really pricey though!

 

[Jasarii]

Thanks.
Yea, buying the pre made inj molded loops is pricey if buying a bunch. But if you are just making a few holsters, etc it's prob the way to go. I've been able to make some really nice IWB clips with .93 kydex. I'll try to post a pic.
I was planning to buy a scroll saw back when I started, but found that using a hand dremmel works well for me. I use it to cut what needs to be cut and then switch to a sanding attachment when I need to shape something down...and finish off with fine grit sand paper.

 

[DAVE_M]

Thanks.
Yea, buying the pre made inj molded loops is pricey if buying a bunch. But if you are just making a few holsters, etc it's prob the way to go. I've been able to make some really nice IWB clips with .93 kydex. I'll try to post a pic.
I was planning to buy a scroll saw back when I started, but found that using a hand dremmel works well for me. I use it to cut what needs to be cut and then switch to a sanding attachment when I need to shape something down...and finish off with fine grit sand paper.

That's the way I did it for the year or so I was making and selling holsters. The scroll saw is just so much nicer and I'll be using it for some woodworking projects, so it was worth the investment!

 

[DAVE_M]

Glock Holster Mk. 2 and my first "taco" holster using Boltaron for a M&P9 Compact. Both are about 80-85% complete, final shaping and sanding needs to be done.

The Boltaron was a pain to work with. It needed higher temps and cooled rapidly.

 

[DAVE_M]

Robbed the hardware from a cheapy holster to make this. I think it turned out great, considering it was made with scraps.

 

[DAVE_M]

More than likely, this is the last OWB holster I make. I'll strictly be messing around with IWB carry rigs from now on.

I'm very pleased with how this one turned out. Each one came out mo' betta.

These will all become range beaters. I donated the top left holster to a LEO, from SC, who was in need of a range holster but didn't want to shell out $100. Can't beat free, right?

 

[noob]

Someone should make a holster for the FN-P and FN-T tacticals, not many people making them right now. Definitely hard to find, especially with RMR mounted. I know if someone wanted to make a belt holster or paddle one, I'd buy it.

 

[DAVE_M]

Someone should make a holster for the FN-P and FN-T tacticals, not many people making them right now. Definitely hard to find, especially with RMR mounted. I know if someone wanted to make a belt holster or paddle one, I'd buy it.

There are several makers that have FNP and FNX Tactical holsters in supply. Although, some of the makers, I would not recommend. Honestly, almost all kydex holsters can be modified for a RMR cut. If you want the RMR shielded, that's another story.

One reason you may not be finding holsters for those particular firearms is due to the lack of mold guns. Typically, firearms with RMR's will have to be blocked out and that takes time. Not to mention that there isn't a huge market for FNP/FNX holsters. Well, not as huge as a Glock/M&P/XD.

 

[AK shooter]

I want one like this for my Governor.

 

[DAVE_M]

I want one like this for my Governor.

The graphic kydex is stupid expensive. Not as fun when you have 0% chance of making more than one holster/sheath from a sheet.

Way more fun when you can make stuff with scraps, like this sheath I made a few minutes ago.

 

[AK shooter]

I didn't think it was that expensive?

http://tacticalinfusions.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=125