Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Questions about tools and jigs you want to buy/build/modify.
Post Reply
Paul Montgomery
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:09 pm

Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Paul Montgomery »

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

https://youtu.be/m8SGECLXemw
Bob Francis
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:28 pm

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Bob Francis »

Interesting stuff Paul.
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Barry Daniels »

It makes good sheaths for knifes and chisels too. This was my first one.
IMG_1775Resized.jpg
MIMF Staff
JC Whitney
Posts: 208
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:19 am

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by JC Whitney »

That’s pretty neat. Are those rivets holding the sheath together?
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Barry Daniels »

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.
MIMF Staff
Paul Montgomery
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:09 pm

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Paul Montgomery »

Sheaths for chisels. My kydex sheets sit right next to my chisel tool chest and it never even occured to me...
Bob Francis
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:28 pm

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Bob Francis »

Great idea!
Clay Schaeffer
Posts: 1674
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Clay Schaeffer »

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?
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Barry Daniels »

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?
MIMF Staff
Clay Schaeffer
Posts: 1674
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Clay Schaeffer »

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!) :lol:
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Barry Daniels »

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.
MIMF Staff
Clay Schaeffer
Posts: 1674
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Clay Schaeffer »

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.
User avatar
Barry Daniels
Posts: 3186
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
Location: The Woodlands, Texas

Re: Using Kydex in the Shop - More Anti-social Distancing

Post by Barry Daniels »

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.
MIMF Staff
Post Reply

Return to “Tools and Jigs”