DIY Neoprene Inserts for Hydro

Anyone that uses those round neoprene inserts or pucks knows that after awhile of constant use they wear out by shrinking or getting hard and they are expensivee to replace depending on size. I have seen many attemps by people to make there own by using foam and sissors. The problem is they aren't uniform in size and its time consuming. Well this is just a different spin on an old DIY project.

Items needed....

1- foam knee pads
These can be found stores like WalMart. I got mine at Big Lots.

2- Any empty can that is the same size as your insert.
I go thru a lot of 2" pucks with two 80 site and one 40 site aero cloner, so i use a tomato paste can to make mine.



Simply take your empty can and with a bench grinder, grind off the lip of the can that help the top on. Once it's removed, then use the bench grinder to sharpen the edge of the can. Then just take the can and with a slight downward pressure spin the can around like your cutting cookies.....Thats it.

good tip!! rep for sharing.

very nice! i was just looking for a thread like this, how much do those pads cost? how many do you get from each one?

SCCA said:

very nice! i was just looking for a thread like this, how much do those pads cost? how many do you get from each one?

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The neoprene knee pads I got at Big Lots cost me $1.50 ea and it made 20-22 two inch pucks. So I made 80 for around 6 bucks (.07 cents ea). Not bad considering that I have to pay .40 cents ea at the hydro store for the same 2" insert plus drive across town to get'em. I'm sure you can find the pads cheaper if you look hard enough.

sweet i will definitely be using this when i build a cloner

Have you thought about using a hole saw for a drill to make the inserts? not sure if you could find one the right size but it may work. The hole saws i have seen have a drill bit on it also in the center so all you would really have to do is cut a slit on the side from the middle so you could open it up...Also another good idea ive heard of was a Yoga mat to make the inserts

Thats a great idea Cammo wish iwould have thought of that myself lol

DAMN DUDE, i have been trying to get some ideas to make inserts for about 3 days, went through styrofoam, and other bullshit ideas, this is awesome, thanks so much,

take your Neoprean Pucks and soak them in Hot Water, Real hot, for bout 2 hours, and Presto! good as new!
Ive been using the Same batch of neoprean pucks for 4 years now!

the only people telling us to buy them new always and don't try to clean are the Hydrophonic sales people!

I was gonna say you could just as easily switch out to using 1/4diameter tubing(or smaller) and split the side stick the clone in. If you check my signature links thats what i did to avoid using these pucks at all. used a dremel to drill the hole and GG

+a little big of foam since my clones were small and the tubing was a little to wide

http://www.foambymail.com/NE/neoprene-foam-sheets.html
960 possible Neoprenes for $53 not bad

This rocks... Was totally looking for a simply DIY for this exact thing!!!

do you guys use a hole saw/diamond hole saw or something similar?
making 100 inserts with that can is a pita.

Love it will be using this to save a few bucks

Awsesomely simple!!