Cardboard I am going to use is 0.35mm

I have a few sizes of felt in stock, the choice of size depends on size of pad required

Bassoon pads larger than 20mm diameter are typically 4mm thick

Materials to make pads, Leather/Cardboard/Felt

Key cup size

To cut the materials we have a drill press and selection of rotary cutters

Bassoon Pad Making

After assembly of pads we need a small press to hold them together as they dry.

I have two storage drawers in my shop dedicated to pad materials

Cheapest assembly dies are just laser cut pieces of perspex

I am after a 23.5mm pad, so I place a perspex assembly die into my holder

Lay some leatheer onto the cut out, for a 23.5mm pad I will use a 32mm piece of leather

I place felt and cardboard on top of the leather

Cardboard 22.5mm
Felt 23mm

Push the parts into the die and apply wood glue around the perimeter of the leather

Lets make a pad