Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

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azdonw
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Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 4:18 pm

Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#1

Post by azdonw »

Well as promised in this thread about my PMA11 Mule build http://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtopic.php?t=81359, here is my photo tutorial of my kydex sheath build.

First, I applied three layers of packing tape to each side of the blade so that the kydex would be less likely to scratch the blade.
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Next, I cut the tape around the blade using an exacto knife. This kydex is cheap stuff on Ebay directly from China.
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Time to bake the kydex. I preheated the oven to 200 deg F. Then placed the kydex, shiny side down on an oven safe non-stick skillet in the oven. I let it soak at that temp for a couple of minutes, while monitoring the oven temp with a digital probe. I read that ramping up the temp works best for kydex, and the probe ensured that my oven didn't overshoot the temp (which it wanted to). I went maybe 2 minutes at 200, 2 minutes at 250, then 280, and finally 325. When at 325, I opened the oven door occasionally to check the kydex temperature with a cheap Harbor Freight infrared thermometer. When the infrared read 300 deg, I removed the kydex.
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I quickly turned the kydex over, so that the shiny side was up, laying on my improvised press. The foam is some pretty stiff stuff borrowed from a gun case. And yeah, that's my kitchen counter...don't tell my wife :D . Used leather gloves, because this stuff was hot! You don't have much time before the kydex sets, so I quickly folded it over on the knife, and set the blade in the fold.
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Then I set a timer for 15 minutes and resisted the urge to peak :) . Finally removed the work, and it looked pretty good, except for the wrinkle, where my clamps pushed into the edge of the kydex. Oh well, gonna cut that off, anyway.
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Now, it was time to drill holes for the rivets. I didn't have a press for eyelets, so I used chicago washers from True Value. Pretty cheap way to do it. I set them about 1/4" from the blade. Next, I drew the form of my sheath around the rivets with a pencil.
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Then I used a cheap Harbor Freight table vise to hold the sheath as I cut around it with a coping saw. Then I used a file to shave it right to the pencil marks. Could have used a rotary tool, but I was afraid I'd go too deep.
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Now I did use my rotary tool with a small grinding stone to get the detailed curves and generally smooth all of the sides, especially the hilt area. Then it was on to 220 grit sand paper and finally, denim to burnish the edges.
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Finally, I added matching OD green webbing, also found on Ebay and used a lighter to heat the thumb push area and shaped it. Then I was done. I am very happy with how it turned out. The knife snaps solidly in place and won't budge shaken upside down. And it draws readily by pushing your thumb on the curved area.
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Naperville
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Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#2

Post by Naperville »

Looks great!
I support the 2nd Amendment Organizations of GOA, NRA, FPC, SAF, and "Knife Rights"
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legOFwhat?
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Location: Kentucky; Earth

Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#3

Post by legOFwhat? »

Well done mate! Hope you didn't scratch those counter tops up or you may have splainin' to do to the wife. :D
-Larry
Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
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azdonw
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Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#4

Post by azdonw »

Naperville wrote:
Thu Oct 11, 2018 4:40 pm
Looks great!
Thanks, Naperville!
legOFwhat? wrote: Well done mate! Hope you didn't scratch those counter tops up or you may have splainin' to do to the wife. :D
Thanks! No splainin' to do. I was real careful, I did 90% of our kitchen remodel myself :) .
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Tucson Tom
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Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#5

Post by Tucson Tom »

Very nice. I had meant to thank you earlier. You have shown me enough to get me wanting to try my hand. Much appreciated.

Nice work!
azdonw
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Posts: 30
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#6

Post by azdonw »

Tucson Tom wrote:
Sat Oct 13, 2018 1:30 am
Very nice. I had meant to thank you earlier. You have shown me enough to get me wanting to try my hand. Much appreciated.

Nice work!
Thanks Tom! Glad I inspired. I hope you get on it--just do it!
I know you said I should get a Spyderco folder, too, and I really want one. I'm especially interested in the Manix 2 LW in S110V, as it seems ideal for a daily carry. But I'll have to wait for it, since this recent splurge due to WAF.
500Nitro
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Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#7

Post by 500Nitro »

You have inspired me to have a go as well.

What thickness is your kydex sheet ?
3 x Endura 1 SE, 1 x Endura ? CE and a Black Pacific Salt. Want Aqua Salt, Fish Hunter and a Pacific Salt Yellow.
azdonw
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Posts: 30
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#8

Post by azdonw »

500Nitro wrote:
Sat Oct 13, 2018 2:02 pm
You have inspired me to have a go as well.

What thickness is your kydex sheet ?
Cool! It is 0.06" (1.5mm), and it was about $6 shipped from China on Ebay.
500Nitro
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Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#9

Post by 500Nitro »

Thanhs.
3 x Endura 1 SE, 1 x Endura ? CE and a Black Pacific Salt. Want Aqua Salt, Fish Hunter and a Pacific Salt Yellow.
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Holland
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Location: Alberta

Re: Kydex sheath build for Mule with photo tutorial

#10

Post by Holland »

Nicely done, thanks for sharing the process!
-Spencer

Rotation:
Gayle Bradley 2 | Mantra 1 | Watu | Chaparral 1 | Dragonfly 2 Salt SE
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