The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Dakotaranger on January 15, 2010, 02:01:55 AM
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I just got a catalogue from knifekits. I'm wanting to set up holsters similar to the sherpa's w/o the lock so I can use on the tactical platform. My question is do I need to get dummy guns to form the kydex or how would I do it?
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Hmmnn....uhhh....don't hold me to this, but I have heard that you can put a sheet of kydex in your oven and turn it to X degrees and it will get soft enough to bend and shape to the gun.
I have also heard of guys using a heat gun (a hair dryer on steroids) to gingerly apply heat to existing commercially made kydex holsters to make them fit tighter. I have heard that dipping them in boiling water will do the same thing too.
Sorry...but I don't know what X temperature is from above. :(
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Hey Dakota, I have made many, 50+ kydex holsters, put in the oven at 200 f. will come out limp and pliable, my preferred method is with an industrial heat gun, then a bowl of cold water and a wet towel, once you heat the section of kydex you want to form, press it around the firearm, and shape it, once it is shaped, use the cold wet towel to cool that section down so it sets. The wet towel is more of a hazard than the heat of the kydex on your firearm, remember to keep it dry and clean it afterwards. The only other warning is once your at the stage where your molding while the firearm is in the holster, the heat from the heat gun, can affect plastic pieces like Glock sights and nylon or rubber grips, so keep that in mind.
To start making holsters, I use thick paper like used for the backing on a legal pad, matting I think they call it. Place your firearm on the paper and trace it out on both sides, pistol laying left and then gently roll it over to pistol laying right. This is your base, then decide what kind of holster you want, IWB, OTWB, cross draw etc... I use .060" thickness for IWB, and 1/8" for OTWB. Use the paper to make a mock holster, it will bend easily and you can see your concept beginning, form it around the firearm. Once you have made a paper holster to your liking, use that to trace the design on your kydex, now start heating and molding, kydex is pretty forgiving if you don't OVERHEAT IT, if you do, it will blister and change to a harder state that is brittle.
Once you have what you want, keep that paper template and label it for future use.
I still have a kydex IWB for my 5" 625 S&W, people can't believe when I jerk that big gun from concealed and it is comfortable. Just the right length that it does not bottom out when sitting down or driving.
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Here's a link for you. I'm toying with doing a project too, found this link awhile ago - the site went away, but it's back now.
http://www.paracordsecrets.com/index.php (http://www.paracordsecrets.com/index.php)
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Here's a link for you. I'm toying with doing a project too, found this link awhile ago - the site went away, but it's back now.
http://www.paracordsecrets.com/index.php (http://www.paracordsecrets.com/index.php)
That's pretty cool. I just wish I were motivated. ;)
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I have an idea for two sheaths and no one seams to make them the way I want...so I think I'm going to try and do it.
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Why not order a Blackhawk without the Serpa? I bought a new one off another forum's classifieds for a lot less than from BH. I got lucky!
FWIW
Richard
PS: I know it would be KOOL to make my own but to say I'm all thumbs in that respect is a compliment!!!!!!! LOL!
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That's pretty cool. I just wish I were motivated. ;)
The article section has a beginners tutorial, and the bottom of that tutorial has links to more in depth tutorials.
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Why not order a Blackhawk without the Serpa? I bought a new one off another forum's classifieds for a lot less than from BH. I got lucky!
FWIW
Richard
PS: I know it would be KOOL to make my own but to say I'm all thumbs in that respect is a compliment!!!!!!! LOL!
I've got three Blackhawk holsters. What I'm thinking of doing is buying the tactical platform getting four of the quick attachments and making a right and left 1911 and XD holsters for it. And I have an idea for an inverted boot knife sheath and I want a horizontal sheath for a fixed blade on my belt
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Sounds like a plan...enjoy.
Richard
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Great resource site for Kydex!
I just had a huge brain fart, and am planning. I think I can actually set myself up pretty easy to make stuff with Kydex. I'll let you know if I get the tool, then it will be get some Kydex to test with, and ...