Kydex is commercially manufactured for aircraft bulkheads for its lightweight and strong characteristics. Holster and knife makers have been using it for years for the same reasons. I’ll be posting an interesting video here in a few minutes demonstrating some of these qualities.
3 Likes
That’s true, but I wouldn’t pay that much for having a similar situation as ABS. It sucks securing stuff to the deck, specially if it’s a tight fit.
1 Like
I have been thinking about my previous statement about the price being too high. I need to keep in mind that this enclosure is built in the US. In addition, there are lots of small aluminum pieces to reinforce the kydex. $225 may not be an unreasonable price. What do you guys think?
2 Likes
Yes, very popular for knife and gun sheaths. More durable and impact resistant. Can be prone to cracking when holes are drilled. Beautiful finishes. I think Kydex can also be painted.
Short Video showing strength of Kydex…definitely scuffed up but no crushing…and yes the enclosures were empty…no batteries.
4 Likes
I think its totally reasonable for the effort and the product provided, most peeps are cheapskates tho 
2 Likes
Very cool to see a truck run over a longboard - something I think we all fear destroying our hard built rides. It’s definitely good marketing.
However, as a scientific-based test to prove the toughness of your Kydex, it’s not very effective. You’ve got confounding variables here that make it impossible to definitively draw any conclusions. The deck, trucks, and wheels (and built in stiffness) act in some capacity to reduce the weight & force on the enclosure sections. However large or small that factor is, it blurs the results of the test. Additionally, I don’t think most builder’s biggest concern is destruction by truck - it’s probably repeat impacts on curbs, trees roots, rocks, debris, etc.
I wonder why you didn’t turn the board over and run over it again. That would prove the Kydex strength more directly. Or stop the truck directly on top. Or run over the board alone without enclosures to see the difference in height/force.
1 Like
The enclosure system installed measures 28" x 8.5" and in its current form is optimized for 12S8P 18650’s. 21700’s can be installed but in much fewer quantities in the current eclosure. I’ve been designing a newer version to house the 21700’s as I believe this is the new battery direction our community is heading. should not add anything to the overall cost of the system but will be a bit longer overall.
3 Likes
Sleepless - good points and I’ll see about adding those to the video. I have plenty of test boards I’ve made over the last year that can be sacrificed to the cause. I also have over 1000 miles on my current board and have experienced no failures in the kydex…its been scratched quite a bit and bottomed out over rocks and curbs but have always wanted to run one of them over and thought it may look cool on video. Thanks again for the suggestions.
2 Likes
When will the 21700 version be available?
1 Like
fujio001…May be a few weeks…need to put some cell groups together for measurements and testing. How much interest in a 21700 version would there be within this community?
21700 cells are the new standard… The Molicel P42A is the most popular Esk8 powercell today. It’s much harder to get decent 18650 cells nowdays than 21700 because of global cell shortages.
3 Likes
Simeon - I’ll see what I can do to get some prototypes together soon with pics.
4 Likes
Great enclosure, it’s nice to see another esk8 vendor.
It’s nice that the enclosure comes with the drill hole guide and stuff, it will help with the assembly for sure. But it might also drive the price unnecessary higher I believe. And the precision machine washers are nice too, but wouldn’t the cheap washers do the job as well?
3 Likes
infiniteoffset - thanks for the question. I am working on price to reduce where I can and still offer a quality product…also finishing designs for a 21700 option along with a 3-piece enclosure option for the smaller boards. I figure if I could sell more, I could bring the pricing down. As for the washers, I tested with bigger washers for the M4 machine screws and I think it would work but just didn’t feel it would be strong enough and wanted to spread out the down force on the gasket a bit more for a more uniform seat. As I ran into issues along the design and build process, I needed to solve for each while keeping manufacturing and cost in mind. I agree the easiest and cheapest option is to supply cool enclosures with no hardware and leave it up to the DIYer to figure out the rest…I didn’t want to be that guy and I know what I would want as the buyer. Thanks again for the questions…Here is a link to the installation instructions for the enclosure - may explain a bit more about whats involved.
12 Likes
I just received this set, working to do an unboxing. Marc will have it on YouTube at some point.
3 Likes
I am very impressed by all of this, especially with the fact that you have a drill guide etc. Real thinking like a designer!
3 Likes
Cfelzien - looking forward to the video. Thanks again my friend.
2 Likes
Luukth - thank you!
3 Likes
Cfelzien - any update on the video? - thanks!
3 Likes