I get my Kydex from knifekits.com , I use their foam for my press as well which has held up for the past 10 projects but is showing signs that it needs to be replaced. I made my own kydex press and would highly recommend doing it yourself, just don't tell your wife why the oven smells funny.

 

DIY holster. I'd advise using the mocked up dummy guns for molding instead of a blue gun or actual gun.

It's a fun hobby but at the end of the day it might actually save you money, time, and aggravation to buy from a professional rather than roll your own.

 

+1 for knife kits. Get a cheapo toaster Oven dedicated to the job too as well as an infrared thermometer. The magic number for me is 360* then work quick. Some good clamps are also neccecary. I prefer a few large c clamps over the Irwin quick grips. They make a tighter press.

 

+1 for knife kits. Get a cheapo toaster Oven dedicated to the job too as well as an infrared thermometer. The magic number for me is 260* then work quick. Some good clamps are also neccecary. I prefer a few large c clamps over the Irwin quick grips. They make a tighter press.

You are thermoforming it way too cold. You should be between about 350F to 400F degrees depending on the thickness of the material- at is should get a chance to heat soak, a bigger oven provides better temperature stability than a toaster oven. For really challenging stuff, it may help to try heating it in a mineral oil bath. I'd suggest you read the TD spec guide for Kydex, as it's different from ABS. There is some good stuff in there.

 

Its easy. What's location op, I've got everything u need to get started. More than welcome to borrow tools and I'll give you pointers and any help u need.

 

Knifekits.com is definitely the place to go. And 350*F or a little higher is definitely the right temp. Kitchen oven is best if you can use it. Temp is stable and if you need to reheat the Kydex, due to a botch job, you can go right back in and start again.

Ultimately, if you're not making quite a few holsters, it's not really worth it from an economy standpoint once you figure in time spent learning and f'ing up. If you're doing it "just because" or plan on selling them then it's cool.

My first holster, G22 w/TLR-4, left-handed for my wife.

 

Thanks guys. I'll check out knifekits. I figure it's worth a try rather than spend all my money on holsters and mag holders. Malakaguy, thanks for the offer. I'm near Huntington and may check in with you as I progress.

 

I've made a few holsters. They require a good amount of effort if you want them to turn out right. I block my ejection port to reduce wear on the slide.

 

I've got a homemade vacuum table and I use a toaster oven from Walmart. Get my kydex as distributor samples through work from the sales guy in NJ or just amazon

 

Kydex, I have a love hate relationship with, I love the way it retains items, I hate burning my fingertips LOL

 

I have 500* silicone coated oven mitts, you can get at any kitchen store. Again, don't let the wife see you using them.

 

I bought a 4 by 8 sheet of kydex and will never use it all, will sell some of it a lot cheaper that you can get it from knife kits. If you want to buy it there is a place in Westbury that sells it by the sheet. I made a vacuum and a clam shell press to make my holsters.

 

Welcome to LIF edmatu! Be sure to go The Welcome Mat and introduce yourself.

I have a ton of questions...What color and thickness is the Kydex that you have? What is the place in Westbury? Can you post a pic of you vacuum table? We all like to see the innovative ways that members do things.

 

I buy the kydex from amazon. For the heating I use an old toaster oven. And for the forming, I use a FoodSaver vacuum bag. I cut small pieces of wood to fit in the places where I don't want the kydex to mold, like the ejection port, and and to make a sight channel.

 

I use knifekits.com, holstersmiths.com, usaknifekits.com, holstersmiths have color kydex if interested, also look at infused kydex it has a leather look to it.
Buy a cheap toaster oven off of craigs list or a second hand store.

 

Here are a couple of infused kydex and yes its smooth to the touch

 

For color, and infusion kydex go here, and she is quick to ship

http://www.tacticalinfusions.com/

 

I use Aluminum foil duct tape to cover features that you don't want to much definition on. It works very well because you can stretch and form it and it sticks superbly. I also use it to hold my wood forms to the gun for sight channels and whatnot. A lot of the pros use foil tape... saw it in their vids. Try it, you won't look back. I still use a little masking tape here and there, but not much.

I use leather palmed cheapo work gloves from Walmart for handling hot plastic. They are like Mechanixwear type gloves with decent leather on palm and fingers. They were $11. Unless you have delicate hands, they are more than enough protection and yet allow a lot of dexterity..

All of my Kydex and hardware comes from knifekits.com.