Arbor press preferences

[panzerjunky]

I do have a need to still make some Kydex sheaths for my tactical ish blade at the request of the end user. I have a chinesium rivet/Eyelet punch from amazon. it works on 1/4 eyelets ok, but it does scuff up the paint badly. If you were out to buy an arbor press and dies for 1/4 eyelets for Kydex work, what would you chose. pics and part numbers and vendor please.

 

[A.McPherson]

I got mine from knife kits dot com, if I remember correctly (it's been several years) and I got my press from harbor freight. I had to drill some holes in the press to get it all to work together, but it works pretty well now. Although it does occasionally remove the finish from the eyelets and I have to re-paint them...

 

[Drew Riley]

An arbor press is definitely the way to go. Used to be you could get a decent 1/2 ton press for about $50, but I imagine they're probably around twice that now.
Looks like Amazon has one for about $90 to $100 that already has a hole and set screw drilled into the end of the ram. USAKnifemaker.com has a decent arbor press that's already set up for dies as well. It's a little over $100, not including shipping.

As for dies, I'd recommend the master set from knifekits.com. It's about $65 if I recall, and it comes with a set of 3/16 AND 1/4. I'd also recommend their eyelets. I've used the more expensive "premium" eyelets from other suppliers, and always had problems. The knifekits.com eyelets are cheaper, and they press better.

 

[Scaniaman]

Master series from Knifekits. I only use 1/4" to keep it simple. Bought 1/2 ton press elsewhere cheaper, same press apparently.
Works great

 

[AVigil]

I use my mini mill to press kydex rivets, you could also use a drill press