holster making question-kydex-

win · March 14th, 2009, 12:50 AM

A couple of questions when you make a holster out of kydex?
What is a good thickness to use on holster? iwb?
Can you glue 2 peaces of kydex together?
What about rivets rubbing on your gun?
Any ideas on making a paddle holster?
I want to make a holster for my HK Match. Not for ccw, just for the range.
thanks for any and all suggestions
win

fourrobert13 · March 14th, 2009, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by win

A couple of questions when you make a holster out of kydex?
What is a good thickness to use on holster? iwb?
Can you glue 2 peaces of kydex together?
What about rivets rubbing on your gun?
Any ideas on making a paddle holster?
I want to make a holster for my HK Match. Not for ccw, just for the range.
thanks for any and all suggestions
win

.093 is a good thickness for holster making. I guess you could glue 2 pieces together, but I don't know why you would need/want too. The rivets shouldn't touch your gun, and you shouldn't use them unless you are planning to have a lot of excess material. Just use tension screws, and they won't/shouldn't touch your gun either. As for your paddle, they way I do it is to leave yourself enough material to work with, then once you have your holster shaped to your liking, you can concentrate on shaping your paddle to your liking. I hope this helps.

QKShooter · March 14th, 2009, 01:21 PM

KYDEX is extremely difficult to glue together and get a suitable, lasting bond.

KYDEX is very solvent resistant.

Even the exact method/formulation suggested by the manufacturer does not work very well. I tried it and honestly...it modestly sucked.

All of the "off the shelf" solvent based plastic cements including PVC pipe cement do not work very well either.

I tried nearly all of them and they flunked my bond strength tests.

I did MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) & Methylene Chloride...don't even bother.

win · March 14th, 2009, 08:01 PM

OK gluing is a bad idea. Just a though.
On some holster and mag holder you can see the rivets on one side but
not the other side. I though they might be inside the holster or mag holder?
If anyone has some pictures they would like to post I would really like to see a couple different angles.
I really want to give this a try. I have tried to make holster out of leather, but I think kydex is very cool. Although I have never worked with it.
Are their special rivets for kydex?
Which do you prefer rivets or grommets?
Is one easer to work with or stronger?
I would also like to see a picture of your foam press. It sounds like just 2 peaces of plywood with 2 peaces of foam glued to them. How thick should the foam be? Should the foam be kind of stiff?
thanks for all the help/info
win

ps0303 · March 14th, 2009, 08:23 PM

Check out this site. It is loaded with info you are looking for.

A Beginers guide to shaping and molding kydex - Articles Para Cord Secrets - Shaping your world - Para Cord Secrets

win · March 14th, 2009, 11:14 PM

thanks good info

rocky · March 15th, 2009, 12:40 AM

If you want feel free to PM or email me with questions as well. Several of us here do work with kydex regularly and are willing to help.
Check out my sig line for a link to some of my work.

ev239 · March 16th, 2009, 01:57 PM

For an OWB holster I suggest the thicker stuff 0.93 or 0.8. Reserve the thin stuff for IWB holsters where thin is more crucial.

Out of most of the paddle designs I've seen using kydex I like JSHolster's design the best. JSHolsters.com - We don't do pretty. We do practical. It's simple and effective. Many other paddles have this large piece of kydex against your body which can lead to sweating very quickly.

southbound · March 16th, 2009, 06:31 PM

I have had good luck using this...

Here is how I learned to make them...

You can use rivets instead of Chicago screws..

win · March 17th, 2009, 11:47 PM

thanks guys
I am going to order some kydex when I get paid.
Rocky I will probably talk to you when I get started.
thanks again guys
I really like this site
southbound your holster looks great. how many holsters have you made?
My first holster try is going to be a paddle for my Taurus judge.
win

March 14th, 2009, 12:50 AM	#1
win New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: kansas Posts: 5	holster making question-kydex- A couple of questions when you make a holster out of kydex? What is a good thickness to use on holster? iwb? Can you glue 2 peaces of kydex together? What about rivets rubbing on your gun? Any ideas on making a paddle holster? I want to make a holster for my HK Match. Not for ccw, just for the range. thanks for any and all suggestions win

March 15th, 2009, 12:40 AM	#7
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 13,080	If you want feel free to PM or email me with questions as well. Several of us here do work with kydex regularly and are willing to help. Check out my sig line for a link to some of my work. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

March 16th, 2009, 01:57 PM	#8
ev239 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 374	For an OWB holster I suggest the thicker stuff 0.93 or 0.8. Reserve the thin stuff for IWB holsters where thin is more crucial. Out of most of the paddle designs I've seen using kydex I like JSHolster's design the best. JSHolsters.com - We don't do pretty. We do practical. It's simple and effective. Many other paddles have this large piece of kydex against your body which can lead to sweating very quickly. __________________ Mine: S&W 908.....Wife's: Ruger SP101 3" ------Kahr PM9...............Sig P239 (it's her's now) ------Norinco 213...........Charter Arms Undercover Hidden Defense - Personal gun & holster designs/reviews.

March 16th, 2009, 06:31 PM	#9
southbound Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: tn Posts: 246	I have had good luck using this... Here is how I learned to make them... You can use rivets instead of Chicago screws.. __________________ “Dollars and guns are no substitutes for brains and will power” Dwight D Eisenhower Here are some of my holsters........

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March 14th, 2009, 01:21 PM	#3
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,493	KYDEX is extremely difficult to glue together and get a suitable, lasting bond. KYDEX is very solvent resistant. Even the exact method/formulation suggested by the manufacturer does not work very well. I tried it and honestly...it modestly sucked. All of the "off the shelf" solvent based plastic cements including PVC pipe cement do not work very well either. I tried nearly all of them and they flunked my bond strength tests. I did MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) & Methylene Chloride...don't even bother.

March 14th, 2009, 08:01 PM	#4
win New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: kansas Posts: 5	OK gluing is a bad idea. Just a though. On some holster and mag holder you can see the rivets on one side but not the other side. I though they might be inside the holster or mag holder? If anyone has some pictures they would like to post I would really like to see a couple different angles. I really want to give this a try. I have tried to make holster out of leather, but I think kydex is very cool. Although I have never worked with it. Are their special rivets for kydex? Which do you prefer rivets or grommets? Is one easer to work with or stronger? I would also like to see a picture of your foam press. It sounds like just 2 peaces of plywood with 2 peaces of foam glued to them. How thick should the foam be? Should the foam be kind of stiff? thanks for all the help/info win

March 14th, 2009, 08:23 PM	#5
ps0303 New Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 7	Check out this site. It is loaded with info you are looking for. A Beginers guide to shaping and molding kydex - Articles Para Cord Secrets - Shaping your world - Para Cord Secrets

March 14th, 2009, 11:14 PM	#6
win New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: kansas Posts: 5	thanks good info

March 17th, 2009, 11:47 PM	#10
win New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: kansas Posts: 5	thanks guys I am going to order some kydex when I get paid. Rocky I will probably talk to you when I get started. thanks again guys I really like this site southbound your holster looks great. how many holsters have you made? My first holster try is going to be a paddle for my Taurus judge. win