Mounting Practice Pads
Found in: Playing-Based Methodology, Practicing & Playlists
Carrie L., Michigan
I’d like to get practice pads mounted on foam or wood. How have some of you gone about this? Does foam or wood work better? Also…I have used foam board before, and it is subject to cracking. Has this been a problem?
Ramona H., Alaska
I cut up a big piece of foam board that was used as a huge fake check for a scholarship my daughter won (the kind you see in pictures in the paper where an unknown official is standing beside a high school senior holding this big fake check). There was enough foam for three practice pads. My operation was very low-tech, using a box cutter and a piece of cardboard as my straight edge. I covered the pads with strips of clear packing tape going across horizontally and around to the back to adhere to the foam board. That way they’re fairly weather-proof and can be wiped off as the need arises.
Mary R., Michigan
Kinko’s copy store mounted mine on foam for $5 each.
Erika W., Washington
I bought foam boards at a craft store, as well as some spray adhesive. Then I just used a razor blade to cut the foam. It worked well.
Cindy B., Illinois
At Osco Drug store, a local chain pharmacy, there is an office supply aisle with poster board and foam board both. I purchased a red poster sized foam board and with an ‘exacto’ knife, was easily able to get 3 mounted practice pads from one board, each with a red border. I attached the p. pads with double sided tape used in scrapbooking, and carpet laying (the carpet guys use tape that’s the width of standard duct or masking tape. The scrapbookers use scotch tape width)
Sheri R., California
Problem with foam:
I haven’t tried wood but am thinking about it. The foam tends to bend over time. I put some wooden skewers (used for food) on the back to reinforce the old ones that already had bent as well as the new ones to prevent bending. Probably slightly thicker dowels from the hardware store would be sturdier. I still think wood would be best though.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
I discovered ‘hardboard’ at Lowe’s or Home Depot. It is a thin layer of composite material like wood, and it’s perfect for a sturdy but not overbearing practice pad. They will even cut them to size, AND it’s very inexpensive.
Samali D., Western Australia
My Dad mounted two pads on 1/4 inch wood and then covered them in contact (a sticky plastic coating). They are solid, easy to wipe clean and very sturdy when sitting over a number of laps (as they are always shared).