I attach the fullsize pad to the butt and take 2 wraps of electrical tape (.010") around the wood tight to the proud edge of the pad. I use a coping saw to trim the toe....no closer than 1/4". Nevertheless, that's a good chunk of rubber I don't have to turn into dust.
This is not a pad job, but I freehand grind them on my highly sophisticated homemade stockmaking maching. I use a 60 grit disc and just kiss the electrical tape.
I peel off one layer of tape, leaving me with a .005" mask. I hand sand with a 220 grit bock until I scuff up the electrical tape. Then I remove it, replace it with 2 wraps of scotch tape (.002") and hand sand to 320 grit. I remove the tape and take the pad off the stock,take another swipe or two around it with the 320 block, break the knife edge on the pad with a piece of 400 paper, rub in a few drops of silicone oil and replace.
Most people can't remove a pad that's 1-2 thou proud and re-install it to fit perfectly all around.