Make your own kydex holster!

mhm2a · January 10th, 2008, 01:27 PM

The recent threads on appendix carry, which I prefer, have inspired me to make my own holster. I wanted an AIWB that had a body shield, straight drop, and sat as low as possible. I found a couple of makers that did that, however, the lead time was too much.....I want it now...So here is the rest of the story.

I ordered three 12" x 12" sheets of kydex from knifekits.com

I then made a template to my Bersa .380 using a manilla legal folder:

Using painters tape to mark my lines I tranfered the template onto the kydex using my trusty bosch cordless jigsaw:

mhm2a · January 10th, 2008, 01:33 PM

After some hand sanding with various grits (60, 120, 400, 600) the edges were looking like a pro. I was now ready to apply some heat to bend the spine to match on both sides.

Once you have the spine where you want it then insert your firearm into your favorite medium thick dress sock then apply some more heat and use your cheap clamp pad plywood press to mold the kydex to your firearm.

mhm2a · January 10th, 2008, 01:35 PM

Your product should look something like this:

Just add your pull the dot strap and voilla:

Final Product:

orangehole · January 10th, 2008, 02:17 PM

Wow! great work. You make it look easy but I was never good with tools especially a bosch cordless jigsaw! How did you heat up the kydex? I have seem people bake it in an over or use a hair dryer type device.

David in FL · January 10th, 2008, 02:20 PM

mhm2a · January 10th, 2008, 05:04 PM

I use a heat gun to shape the kydex. I heat it to a wet leather consistancy and then shape and hold.

Ragin Cajun · January 10th, 2008, 05:27 PM

Nice Job!

friesepferd · January 10th, 2008, 05:31 PM

very nice! bravo

tseabourn · January 10th, 2008, 05:34 PM

What kind of foam did you use?

Sporty79 · January 10th, 2008, 05:35 PM

Cool, I might have to try that, I have been wanting some type of custom made holster to fit under the dash of my truck. This sounds like the answer. Thanks

January 10th, 2008, 01:27 PM	#1
mhm2a Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 82	Make your own kydex holster! The recent threads on appendix carry, which I prefer, have inspired me to make my own holster. I wanted an AIWB that had a body shield, straight drop, and sat as low as possible. I found a couple of makers that did that, however, the lead time was too much.....I want it now...So here is the rest of the story. I ordered three 12" x 12" sheets of kydex from knifekits.com I then made a template to my Bersa .380 using a manilla legal folder: Using painters tape to mark my lines I tranfered the template onto the kydex using my trusty bosch cordless jigsaw:

January 10th, 2008, 05:04 PM	#6
mhm2a Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 82	Heating Kydex I use a heat gun to shape the kydex. I heat it to a wet leather consistancy and then shape and hold.

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January 10th, 2008, 01:33 PM	#2
mhm2a Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 82	After some hand sanding with various grits (60, 120, 400, 600) the edges were looking like a pro. I was now ready to apply some heat to bend the spine to match on both sides. Once you have the spine where you want it then insert your firearm into your favorite medium thick dress sock then apply some more heat and use your cheap clamp pad plywood press to mold the kydex to your firearm.

January 10th, 2008, 01:35 PM	#3
mhm2a Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 82	Your product should look something like this: Just add your pull the dot strap and voilla: Final Product:

January 10th, 2008, 02:17 PM	#4
orangehole Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PA Posts: 289	Wow! great work. You make it look easy but I was never good with tools especially a bosch cordless jigsaw! How did you heat up the kydex? I have seem people bake it in an over or use a hair dryer type device.

January 10th, 2008, 02:20 PM	#5
David in FL VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,327

January 10th, 2008, 05:27 PM	#7
Ragin Cajun Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 672	Nice Job!

January 10th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#8
friesepferd Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: what used to be the state of Franklin (look it up) Posts: 1,719	very nice! bravo

January 10th, 2008, 05:34 PM	#9
tseabourn New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 8	What kind of foam did you use?

January 10th, 2008, 05:35 PM	#10
Sporty79 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 205	Cool, I might have to try that, I have been wanting some type of custom made holster to fit under the dash of my truck. This sounds like the answer. Thanks