Quote:
Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
This is real good. Can you explain the process to putting the belt loops on when you get a chance?
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Belt loops will add extra thickness to the "stack" (combined thickness of all the layers together). The first thing I would do is make sure I have rivets or bolts long enough to hold it all together.
Hole layout is next. Belt loop has to be wide enough to hit the hole locations on the sides of the sheath. Choosing hole locations is important as we work at the top of the sheath because this changes how the sheath works if it is a clamping fit around the handle and guard area. The closer the rivet is to the top, the shorter and stiffer the spring tension of the Kydex is.
Accurate hole placement is important. I layout on kydex with a silver pencil then use a sharp locating punch to indicate the center of the hole. Do not drive the punch all the way thru the Kydex.
Next step is drilling a pilot hole with something like 1/16th or
3/32nd inch drill then using the final size drill, like the 3/16ths inch. The pilot hole keeps the drill centered as drills tend to "walk" all over the surface of kydex when starting.
If the belt loop is being added to an existing sheath, one might want to remove the top rivets to use the same holes for the belt loop attachment. I do this by drilling through the top of the rivet with a "just barely" big enough drill. If the rivets are in 3/16ths holes, I would use 3/16th drill. Drill until the top web of the rivet is gone or can be peeled away. Push out remainder of rivet with something. Do not try and drill all the way thru.
Some Kydex sheaths are made with larger bore rivets to allow bolting a belt loop or other type attachment onto the sheath later.
Edited to add:: Do not drill these rivets out.
I'm pretty sure I missed answering any of the important questions, so lets keep going.