Bought kydex lately?

View · by **EJSG19** on Tue Aug 14, 2012 9:44 pm

A search for a replacement plastic pan for my wire dog kennels drew me to the conclusion that they charge way too much for crappy plastic pans which have lasted less than 1 year before breaking into pieces.

So, wondering about using kydex, and making my own. Anyone bought any substantial amount lately? I'll need something like a 3'x4' piece, and then leftover I can use for fun gun stuff. Wondering where to order online, as a trip to get it anywhere in a city is a minimum half hour drive and gas for the truck isn't cheap.

plain old black or whatever works is fine. Thickness, well I'm no kydex man, whatever thickness is appropriate.

View · by **igofast** on Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:45 am

I've used Knife Kits before - as they have had the best selection:

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=41_54_136

You may have to contact them directly to see if you can get the size sheets you want.

View · by **LarryFlew** on Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:08 am

Plastics International

Phone:(952) 934-2303
Fax:(952) 934-2314

View · by **System7** on Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:00 pm

They sell the kennel pans at fleet farm pretty cheap.

View · by **EJSG19** on Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:54 pm

System7 wrote:They sell the kennel pans at fleet farm pretty cheap.

True, they are cheap. They hold up like they are cheap too.

Our shorthair is "active" in the kennel, and the plastic those are made of isnt tough enough to hold together.

View · by **FJ540** on Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:25 pm

Sounds like the pan isn't properly supported, and it's flexing. Fix that, and your cheap option should last.

View · by **Spinner** on Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:37 pm

I cut a piece of 1/4 ply to go under my pan, 2 months per pan before, 3+ years and going strong on the current one.

Spinner

View · by **EJSG19** on Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:31 am

FJ540 wrote:Sounds like the pan isn't properly supported, and it's flexing. Fix that, and your cheap option should last.

Mostly its from dog destruction. He gets bored and starts to dig at the edges. Eventually he gets a grip, yanks, and the plastic gives up before he does. The load bearing area of the rest of it is fine, although i like the idea of supporting it anyway. Tango doesnt weigh that much but a dog down the road might.

View · by **Jackpine Savage** on Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:03 am

HDPE is pretty tough stuff. Used it in our milking parlor and the cows couldn't break the 1/2" stuff. We bought it from Farmtek, shipping one sheet might be expensive.

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft1_building_material-ft1_polymax_wall_4;pg106835.html

Edited to add: It dawned on me that you were looking for a pan and not a flat sheet. I have seen where you take a V shaped router bit, partially cut through the HDPE, and then bend it. You would have to seal the corners some how.

View · by **FJ540** on Thu Aug 16, 2012 11:44 am

HDPE is pretty tough stuff. They're using it for commercial cutting boards.

Maybe put a sheet down inside the pan and bolt it to the backer board? Caulk the edges so nothing goes under.

View · by **T.P.F.K.A.M** on Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:40 pm

EJSG19 wrote: as a trip to get it anywhere in a city is a minimum half hour drive and gas for the truck isn't cheap.

What are you driving, it took me close on three and a half hours to get to your place and I live a half hour south of the cities. Anyhoo, if you know what you are looking for, let me know. I "may" need an excuse for a "getting the hell outta dodge" road trip round abouts the second or third week of September 8-)

View · by **EJSG19** on Thu Aug 16, 2012 4:04 pm

Luck happened while we were in des moines today. Found a molding company that sold a full 4'x8' sheet of .060" kydex for eighty bucks. Much cheaper than some other places i had quotes from. They also keep .093" on hand.

Regal Plastics in des moines. Guess its about fifteen bucks to ship a sheet rolled up.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

Monsch... Er... Yeah... You are welcome any time!