QA

Quick Answer: How To Mold Kydex

Can you form KYDEX at home?

You need to heat Kydex using a home oven or heat gun before you can begin to mold it to whatever shape you choose. At 320-degrees Fahrenheit, the Kydex will soften and you will be able to work with it effectively. It will continue to soften up to about 390 degrees, but it will burn at 400 degrees.

How hot do you have to get KYDEX to mold it?

Optimum forming temperature range for KYDEX® sheets is 365-400ºF (depending on the thickness of material).

Can you mold KYDEX with a hair dryer?

A heat gun is a much faster way to heat the KYDEX® sheet, but with patience a hair dryer may be used. It is important to keep the KYDEX® sheet to about 166-193°C (330-380°F) while forming.

Can KYDEX be injection molded?

You can get Kydex sheets with different thicknesses. Injection Molded Polymer allows the manufacturer to customize the thickness and print to specific and different measurements within the holster.

Can KYDEX be reshaped?

True kydex can be reshaped quite a bit, but the injection molded stuff will not.

How long does KYDEX take to set?

With the toaster oven, I generally set it to just a hair over 250* and vary the time in the oven anywhere from 2 to 3 minutes. If you go hotter you run the risk of burning the kydex, making the edges get all funky, or turning the textured side of the sheet all shiny and weird looking.

Is KYDEX the same as ABS?

KYDEX® sheet is stronger, stiffer, more impact resistant, and more chemically resistant than either ABS or HIPS. KYDEX® sheet also has superior flammability characteristics compared with ABS or HIPS.

Can you sand KYDEX?

Kydex is easy to sand and can be reformed if necessary as well. There is a certain satisfaction with improving a commercial product to fit you personally.

Are KYDEX fumes toxic?

Low concentrations (< 50 PPM) are not harmful in short-term exposures but do provide excellent warning properties by causing coughing or irritation.

Is KYDEX toxic?

The combination of fire gases released when KYDEX® sheet burns are very similar to burning wood, fabric and other materials commonly found in a building and fires involving KYDEX® sheet are no more toxic than any other fire.

Is carbon fiber better than Kydex?

Kydex holsters are also more durable than carbon fiber models. You can also consider buying both types of holsters as they both have their benefits and features.

Is Bravo a Kydex concealment?

The Bravo Concealment Adaptive holster is our first ever design. It has withheld the test of time by constantly evolving over the years. It started as a Kydex holster phenom to what we know it today as simply one of the BEST OWB holsters ever!.

What is Kydex made out of?

Kydex is a line of thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride materials manufactured by Sekisui SPI. It has a wide variety of applications, including for aircraft bulkheads, firearm holsters, and sheaths.

How tight should a KYDEX holster be?

A proper holster will fit your gun snugly, but not overly tight. Your handgun should slide smoothly from the holster. No part of the slide or frame should catch or rub on the holster which can hinder your draw. Additionally, you’ll want the firearm to remain stationary in your holster during regular movements.

Can you heat KYDEX with a torch?

Using the Micro-Therm butane torch, you mold the kydex to fit to your knife. Carefully move the torch from side to side over the tight area. This will loosen the material, letting you go on with your life easier.

Can I trim my KYDEX holster?

You can cut it with a razor-knife blade or thick Exacto blade if you carefully make the first impression cut then repeated cuts thru it.

Can you glue KYDEX?

THF based adhesives by IPS work well for KYDEX® sheet to KYDEX® sheet applications. Any of the following IPS Weld-On adhesives can be used: #4052, #4007, and #1007. Acrylic based adhesives such as Devcon’s ‘Plastic Welder ‘or ‘Plastic Welder II’ can be used to form very strong bonds with KYDEX® sheet.

What is the thickest Kydex?

Standard Kydex® thicknesses run from 0.028″ to 0.500″ thick. Roll stock is available in the thinner grades and can be shipped via Ground Shipping since it rolls into a smaller container.

Is Kydex a PVC?

Kydex® 6565 is a proprietary, high performance acrylic/PVC thermoplastic sheet that is specifically formulated to meet the safety needs of the aviation industry.

Is Kydex flammable?

Grades of KYDEX® sheet are available that have outstanding flammability properties including UL 94 V-0 rating and Class 1/A rating (ASTM E84). Benefits of KYDEX® Thermoplastic sheet for retail fixtures, kiosks, and transaction surfaces: Durable, tough, and resistant to chipping – perfect for high traffic areas.

When was kydex invented?

The KYDEX® Thermoplastics story began more than 50 years ago, in 1965, when KYDEX® 100 was invented near Philadelphia at the Rohm & Haas Co.

What kind of foam is used for kydex press?

Mega Form thermoform molding foam is a newly developed Sheath and Holster making product from HOLSTEX™, Inc. This molding foam has been specifically engineered for use in press molding sheet materials like KYDEX™, HOLSTEX™ and Boltaron™.

What is carbon fiber kydex?

Carbon Fiber Kydex like Pattern is the most popular pattern we offer. It is actually made by a company called Holstex® and is not a Kydex® brand item however it is a thermoplastic with very similar properties as Kydex both in durability and appearance.

What does OWB holster mean?

OWB (Outside-the-Waistband) An OWB holster conceals less of a handgun than an IWB holster because the entire handgun is positioned outside the pants.