doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Plugs for Leather Covered Pads

Some time ago there was thread about plugs for leather covered pads. I got to thinking someone must make a plug that can be used and adapted for this purpose without having to make them each time. I was right. There is a company in MO that makes tapered plugs for industrial use. They come in two different material compounds. The samples I requested have arrived. They are in different sizes and are tapered. I recieved five different sizes ranging from .750-.563 to .375-.250. Contact cement adhears to them. I believe there is a minimum order for these plugs. Might be a good item to pool resources with another gunsmith and purchase for future use. I don't know if the item will become available from the two major gunsmith supply sources but I am and have shared my information with them. If Dave gives the OK, I will give the company name and contact information here on the board.

I buy rubber stoppers for small bottles at at local hardware store. The size if them is OOO and they are tapered. The cost is 10 cents each.

Regards, Gordon

Yeh, my local & smallish True Value hardware has an amazing selection of rubber tapered plugs.
I put a small headless screw in fron the small end , stick it in the drill press & shape with sandpaper
franc

Dennis,
I'd be interested in finding out more. Maybe I can come over to your shop again and talk to you more about how you make your leather covered pads. I'm interested in seeing the jig you set-up for this.

(brief, good guy report)

For those who might not know, Dennis is a very creative and generous man, sharing information and his talents freely. My guess is that he has an interesting set-up for this task. He has been a great help and the encouragement he has given me has been a real blessing. Thank-you my friend!

One of the great things about being in this business is the opportunity to learn new things. After 25 years of stockmaking it is great to learn new things from others. No joke! I appreciate the things shared here and elsewhere. I think it is interesting that it took this long to see in print somewhere to buy plugs. It may have been "common knowledge" but it was new to me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

The sharing of knowledge is one of the reasons that I enjoy being a member of the ACGG. The knowledge learned the hard way by others is practical and profitable when shared. I believe most who practice the trade of gunsmithing strive to do work at a different level. Art and craft are combined in the job dicription as well as the desire to get paid for having fun. I wish to publically thank David Trevallion and his generation of gunsmiths for sharing their hard learned lessons. Historically ,we who came after had to learn for ourselves what they already knew. I really dislike learning from mistakes. But I do.

Trez;

Come on over! Thanks for the kind words. If it were not for your father, I would not have pursued this trade. I owe him for his shared knowledge and encouragement. I have a soft spot in my heart for him and your family. My knowledge is available.

I would be interested in getting some material for plugs. I really need some help in learning how to cut them. I have tried different cutting instruments but haven't had much success. Thank you. Gil Russell Tucson AZ 520-760-8853 Quailman85749@hotmail.com

Gil;
I got samples from a company and have passed the information to the two major gunsmithing suppliers. One is interested. This may be good news. The company I contacted was Stockcap.

I believe that you have to buy a minimum number of each size from the manufacturer. If I remember correctly the number is 1000 pcs.

I have been thinking about what size I want to standardize my plugs at. I used the samples with good success this last week. I had four leather covered pad jobs to do ....so I did. I tried several sizes from large to small. I didn't like using the small plugs...too much give and Barge cement is unforgiving when tacky. I will be contacting them about an order though.

I go to the local office supply store and just buy pink erasers. I turn them on their side, put them in a vise, close the vise, and press out the plug by using a .357 or .44 magnum shell. Or you can just cut them into squares and round them off somehow. Maybe on a grinder. (Watch your fingers!!) Sometimes the erasers are too thin for some pads but they work on others, depending on the size of the hole. If you buy new orange pads from Galazan's or a Kickeez pad, the plugs should come with them. Or you could get lucky like me. There is a stock guy who comes to my shooting club occasionally who replaces pads with trap shooting supressors and other gizmos. So I usually buy any old Kickeez pads or other pads that I can use. Usually, he sells the used ones for about $3-5.00 a piece. But then I have to make the plugs....... It takes a little practice to keep them straight in a vise, but you'll get the hang of it. Good luck.

I forgot to mention, if the erasers you buy are too thin when you press them out with a 357 or 44 magnum shell, you can glue two erasers together with barge cement and they will stick together pretty well. You'll get the hang of it. Just keep pluggin' away at it. HA-HA-HA-HA-HA !!! Boy, it doesn't take much for me to amuse myself.