Thread: Forming Kydex
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Old 11-19-2008, 10:46   #21
Bill Harsey
Bladesmith to the Quiet Professionals
 
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Oregon, Land of the Silver Grey Sunsets
Posts: 3,886
Paper patterns and pencils are the first tools I reach for when doing either Kydex or leather work. Should have posted this at the beginning but it still applies to belt loop work.
This is how I get my brain focusing on the job at hand while sometimes finding and solving problems before trying to fumble warm plastic.
Fold the paper exactly how the belt loop is to be shaped, use a ruler to make folds exactly where they are wanted. If this is not to the makers liking, get another piece of paper. Draw the hole placement in paper pattern. Test fit the paper pattern.
For leather work I've been Scotch taping more paper onto the pattern if needed instead of starting all over. Transfer the paper onto the kydex with the silver pencil. Use your very sharp pocket knife to keep a good point on this pencil. This helps a lot.
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