MIMF

This week I've been experimenting using Kydex as a custom shaped sanding block. Fun stuff!

https://youtu.be/m8SGECLXemw

Interesting stuff Paul.

It makes good sheaths for knifes and chisels too. This was my first one.

That’s pretty neat. Are those rivets holding the sheath together?

Yes, rivets. I also have some screw type fasteners. The cool thing was that the rivet setter had the same size shaft as my fret press caul so it fits nicely into the arbor.

Sheaths for chisels. My kydex sheets sit right next to my chisel tool chest and it never even occured to me...

Great idea!

I have a set of blue chip chisels that came with the plastic end protectors. In my non environmentally controlled shop I noticed the end protectors held moisture and allowed some rust to form under them so I quit using the plastic "protectors". Kydex looks like a handy material, but I wonder if it would do the same?

It might be the same. Kydex has a slightly textured surface so it might let air move better than the end protectors, but it might not.

Sounds like you have high humidity in your shop. Do you use a dehumidifier?

Hi Barry,
There is high humidity in the shop at times, and daily/nightly temperature variations also cause humidity issues (have you ever checked the hourly variation of humidity for your locale? In the Houston area the humidity will vary from 64% to 91% today and tomorrow from 93% to 28% (predicted))
During critical times in the building process I heat and/or dehumidify a closet to keep the work in, but otherwise only heat/cool one room when I am working in it.
Dehumidifiers burn electrons. Burning electrons costs money. I try to keep this "frivolous" hobby as a break even proposition (no luck so far!)

Those are outdoor humidity levels so it doesn't directly apply to my garage shop which is sealed pretty tight. I do burn my share of electrons keeping the temperature relatively stable which (like you alluded to) will keep the relative humidity pretty level. Oh, also have a dehumidifier that burns a few too.

By the way, I am not sure we have ever hit 28% here in the big swamp.

Hi Barry,
Today's prediction for Houston at 6pm is a humidity reading of 23%. At 10 am this morning it was predicted to be at 84%. But it's a prediction and like the prediction's here in Maryland may not come to pass.
I was reading Romanillo's book on Torres, and he mentioned that Torres would work at times of the day (or night) when the wind direction would blow from the land (drier) instead of from the sea (wetter). Many of us try to maintain a constant humidity level in the shop, or at least some space in the shop, but it's - possible - that only a few hours of good conditions are absolutely necessary. I would be curious to know.

I guarantee that it won't be 23% here today. It rained yesterday and is predicted to rain today. Right now it is 88% relative humidity and 73 degrees F.