Grow-ups playdoe = kydex

Jlong

Jlong

Active Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2023
Messages
54
Location
Monroe
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
A couple years ago I started playing around with making my own kydex holsters, got tired of not being able to find exactly what I wanted. It's actually an easy, cheap and extremely fun hobby.

Didn't see any threads about kydex but surely someone else out there makes their own. Post up some pics, share some tips and tricks!

These are a couple I made recently playing around with some layering...

20230302_081446.jpg

20230302_080720.jpg
 
I like those, I’ve definitely thought about getting into it mostly cause I agree I can never find what I want. I haven’t gotten around to figuring out exactly what I need though.
 
I will have to post a couple pics of my setup later, it's gotten a little more modern but I started with nothing more than a old toaster oven to heat the kydex and a press I made out of an old transmission jack from harbor freight and rungs off an old ladder stand (makes more sense when you see it). The only thing I bought was an arbor press and die for the eyelets. Already had other stuff to use like dremel and sander but you can get by with very little. If everyone knew how easy and cheap it is to make a kydex holster you would never think about spending $100 for another holster.
 
Last edited:
Those are sweet!

Been wanting to start making these myself. Please post up pics of setup when you get a chance.
 
Jlong said:
I will have to post a couple pics of my setup later, it's gotten a little more modern but I started with nothing more than a old toaster oven to heat the kydex and a press I made out of an old transmission jack from harbor freight and rungs off an old ladder stand (makes more sense when you see it). The only thing I bought was an arbor press and die for the eyelets. Already had other stuff to use like dremel and sander but you can get by with very little. If everyone knew how easy and cheap it is to make a kydex holster you would never think about spending $100 for another holster.
Click to expand...
What do you use to press the shape? Do I need those expensive foams or is there a better homemade options? I have a heat gun, dremel, sander MultiTool, etc already. Wouldn’t mind press pics, I think that’s where I’ve gotten lazy.
 
I've used every kind of cheap foam I can find, had good results from the foam stadium seat cushions from Walmart camping section. I have been using Xcel foam rubber pad off Amazon for a few weeks now and get really good results from that as well, 2 pieces for $22. I'm sure expensive foam may last longer but I'm getting good life and good definition from cheaper alternatives.

As far as the shape I've always used the actual firearm I'm making the holster for. Worried me to death the first time I pressed a polymer handgun but I've done probably 100 or so holsters and never had an issue. Just have to remember to leave an empty mag in to make sure the grip has structure. Youtube has some good videos on how to tape them up and you will learn a lot through trial and error.

Knives, multi tool, mag pouches, ID card holders, cable covers for lights on an ar...the only limit to what you can do with kydex is your imagination.
 
Jlong said:
This is the press I can up with, it may be ghetto but it does what it's supposed to do. I have a jig made to use in it for taco style fold overs as well.

View attachment 590429

View attachment 590430
Click to expand...
You’re getting me more and more convinced, but why the press instead of just stacking a book or something on the two pieces of foam? I’m about to build another shed, but I don’t have a ton of extra space to keep a jig around.
 
You can definitely do that, it can also be done with a couple pieces of wood and some wood working clamps. I use a press mainly for ease of use and being able to get pressure on it quickly before the kydex cools.
 
Ok I'm in, I've been thinking about this for a long while. Guy I went through my CWP class with did this but used high density foam with spectacular results. Been buying materials ever since. I really like the transmission jack idea.
 
heavydoc said:
Ok I'm in, I've been thinking about this for a long while. Guy I went through my CWP class with did this but used high density foam with spectacular results. Been buying materials ever since. I really like the transmission jack idea.
Click to expand...
Still got an extra stove? :)

I've been "planning" to do some kydex hosters/sheaths as well. Thanks for this thread, OP!
 
Jlong said:
A couple years ago I started playing around with making my own kydex holsters, got tired of not being able to find exactly what I wanted. It's actually an easy, cheap and extremely fun hobby.

Didn't see any threads about kydex but surely someone else out there makes their own. Post up some pics, share some tips and tricks!

These are a couple I made recently playing around with some layering...

View attachment 590306

View attachment 590307
Click to expand...
Have you been able to find "chicago screws" that don't rust? What are the ones on the orange-backed holster?
 
Assembling a shopping cart. Anyone got recommendation on 1/4” eyelet flaring tool? Too cheap for a press… just buy the hammering one for $40ish?
 
Absolutely!
Sasquatch said:
Have you been able to find "chicago screws" that don't rust? What are the ones on the orange-backed holster?
Click to expand...
I've had good luck with the screws and posts from holstersmith. The ones on the orange one are some I got on Amazon, I've only used them on a couple holsters I made a couple weeks ago so I'm not sure how they will hold up.
Mathieu18 said:
Assembling a shopping cart. Anyone got recommendation on 1/4” eyelet flaring tool? Too cheap for a press… just buy the hammering one for $40ish?
Click to expand...
I use the CKK journeyman series dies. I use it with their guide and a press but I believe you can also use it with a hammer, although I have not tried it.
 
Hellquest said:
We use to do foam but which to vac for speed and production reasons. Which everything is going good, custom hand made ones will be added.
Click to expand...
If there was an easy way to do a taco without a split mold I would look into a vacuum former. I would love to play around with one but it's not economically feasible, unless I buy a lot more guns!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom