Molding Around A Retention Screw

[BigRiverLeather]

I've got both some thick rucbber grommets and some compressable rubber hose for my retention screws. I use a book binding press for my wet forming. I would assume that one would want the area around the retention screw to remain uncompressed so that when it is dry and final assembly is done, it will actually do it's job and pull that area of the leather, whether it is near the trigger guard or whichever part of the gun, tighter around the gun.

If I have my screw with rubber installed when I press, it will likely compress the rubber thus not have the ability to pull the leather down much tighter, if at all. Would I be wise to put something rigid in the rubber piece's place while in the press and until dry? It seems obvious, but I've not done it yet so I wonder if ya'll have any insight or suggestions.

[Denster]

Trim a flat hard rubber eraser to size and place behind the trigger guard. Works for me.