Refurbishing solid push blocks

[Ben Grefe]

I have a bunch of plastic push blocks for my jointer that are going on 20 years old now and the grippy material has seen better days. It just doesn’t seem to hold anymore, which makes them more of a liability than a safety device. Add in the cold weather where they always had less tact, I need to do something.

Before I go out and buy 4 GRR-Ripit blocks at 25 bucks each, I’d like to see if I can replace the grippy material on the ones I have.

Does anybody sell just the grippy material? Ideally from the GRRiRipit blocks or similar? Anybody have any tricks for doing this? Special adhesives to use?

[Bill Dufour]

Some folks use sandpaper and sandpaper glue or self adhesive paper.
Bill D

[Brian Tymchak]

Does this meet the need?

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop...riction-sheets

[richard poitras]

I have used old computer mouse pads for pad replacement...

[Aaron Rosenthal]

I read or saw a suggestion to ditch the old style push blocks and just buy some tile setting pads. Sorry I can’t remember exactly where I saw it. Big foam, good handles.

[Brian Tymchak]

I've not tried it but I've also heard that a good cleaning with DNA can rejuvinate the grip on pads like it does for rubber rollers on planers.

[Prashun Patel]

I stopped using grippy foam and put mending plates with little spikes on my push blocks. Been using this for several years now and I love them.

Google "Truss plate nail teeth" or "mending plate nail teeth" and you'll see what I mean. These are in the "Simpson Strong Tie" section of any HD or LWS.

[Ben Grefe]

Well well, some good ideas in here. I wouldn’t have thought of the Simpson plate idea myself. I wonder if carpet tack strips wouldn’t work as well. I can see this being great solution for rough sawn lumber, but might be a bit too aggressive on near finished work. Also, I’ve never run my push blocks into the blade of my jointer (thankfully), but I’m sure the first time would be right after making metal spike ones!

Brian, I’ll give DNA a shot on one or two of mine. The others are beyond saving, the foam is not only not grippy by torn to shreds.

Bill, Rough sandpaper seems like a good alternative like the Simpson plates. I’ll probably end up doing one of those ideas.

Finally, that material from Lee Valley is exactly what I was looking for. Now to decide if it’s frugal to buy it and refurbish what I have or frupid.

[Bob Jones 5443]

Rockler's Bench Dog push blocks are plenty grippy and far less expensive than the GRRRRRRRR.

https://www.rockler.com/bench-dog-ultra-push-bloc

[Prashun Patel]

They don’t Marr like you’d think.

[Brian Tymchak]

Finally, that material from Lee Valley is exactly what I was looking for. Now to decide if it’s frugal to buy it and refurbish what I have or frupid.

I didn't search around for other suppliers. You might be able to find it in smaller dimensions. Maybe Grainger or McMaster?

[Mitch schiffer]

I have used a grout float for tile in the past they work well and are fairly inexpensive. I currently have a couple purpose built push blocks that I got on sale.

[Frederick Skelly]

I cut a piece of rubber shelf liner like this, and glue it to the push block.

[Bruce Wrenn]

In one of his videos, Izzy Swan talks about a product called "cork rubber." Looks like what you need.

[Jerry Bruette]

McMaster-Carr has all sorts of different material that would work on a push block. Mcmaster.com and go to their raw materials section.