That is a very good idea.I use 1/4" thick acrilic chopping boards from tesco.
Screw som SS screws through the plastic pin to secure it.If you fit the Reich type pads, put some form of retainer on the smaller end of the cross pin once you have assembled to the steady leg. I lost several of the pads before i realised that the cross pin could, somehow, get shaken out.
The rings from old key rings work quite well, but are a bit of a fiddle to threadd through. Some plastic covered single strand wire would be just as good