Missing F-style clamp pads

[ChuckM]

Does anyone have a simple solution to refitting F-style clamps missing their pads (top and bottom)? Or does anyone know where we can buy them for different brands of F-style clamps?

Some pads are too thin and leave an indentation on the wood when you clamp tight or some are juts loose and come off easily (without your knowledge).

 

[semenza]

Does anyone have a simple solution to refitting F-style clamps missing their pads (top and bottom)? Or does anyone know where we can buy them for different brands of F-style clamps?

Some pads are too thin and leave an indentation on the wood when you clamp tight or some are juts loose and come off easily (without your knowledge).

I would try finding contact info for the brand in question.

Seth

 

[ChuckM]

Forgot to say that some are brandless from all sources including Harbour Freight, discontinued businesses like Jorgensen, etc.

I tried the self-adhesive furniture pads and they tended to shift after a few uses.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I can't think of the name at the moment, but I think it was Peter that started a few threads in the past about a plastic product you can shape to any form, and this was one of the uses. (And you can re-use it after boiling in water)

 

[GoingMyWay]

I think you're referring to InstaMorph:https://www.instamorph.com.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Yes, that was it, instamorph thread

Took me a while to find it, watched a video about "form card", the guy mentioned low temperature thermoplastics and I did a search for that, came back here, but you beat me to it  [wink]

/edit: typo

 

[Corwin]

Replacement Clamp Pads from Woodcraft

 

[Michael Kellough]

I have mixed feelings about plastic clamp pads.

I like that they usually prevent the clamp embossing the wood.

I don't like that the pads often extrude plasticizer that stains the wood.

 

[grobkuschelig]

Get some cork or leather and glue it on the pads. Work better than the plastic replacements, in my opinion...

 

[ChuckM]

Thanks guys for the alternatives and sources. Please keep them coming.

I agree on the annoying stains from some of the plastic pads. The Jorgensen spring clamps (all made in USA) are one of the worst offenders and the oil stain creates so much unnecessary work. I have to put masking tape on them before use.

I will definitely study the moudable plastic further, if it doesn't fall off easily.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I like the idea of using cork or leather.  I've had good luck using double-sided carpet tape for various applications.  I don't know if or how well it would work stuck to a clamp face, but I'd personally try using that in conjunction with cork or leather.  See how well it works.  If it didn't work out, I'd think it would be fairly easy to just unpeel and try something else.  If it did work out, I think it would still make replacing the cork or leather easier than if it was glued in place.