Jandorf Specialty Hardw Grommet Rubber 2-3/8 Od 61489

A simple fix that protects cables—and more

Grommets are the kind of hardware you don’t think about until a sharp hole meets a cable—or a wobbly pole meets a glass tabletop. I picked up this Jandorf rubber grommet with a 2-3/8 inch outer diameter for a handful of small shop and household jobs, and it’s become one of those quietly useful pieces you end up reaching for more than you expect. It cushions, isolates, and tidies pass-throughs in a way that metal bushings and raw edges simply don’t.

What it is and who it’s for

At heart, this is a straightforward rubber grommet designed to line a cutout so wires, hoses, and other round stock don’t abrade against an exposed edge. The black rubber construction gives you two benefits: it protects insulation and finishes from sharp metal, wood, or glass, and it dampens vibration so things don’t chatter or chew through over time. If you work on panels, junction boxes, equipment enclosures, DIY furniture, or outdoor fixtures, a grommet like this does a lot of quiet work preventing problems.

I used it in three scenarios:
- To clean up a pass-through on a thin steel panel for a cable bundle.
- As an edge guard in a plywood hole for shop vacuum hose routing.
- As a cushion in a glass tabletop opening for an outdoor umbrella pole.

In each case, the grommet provided a snug, forgiving interface that felt more durable and protective than the bare edge or a hard plastic insert.

Design and build impressions

This grommet is one piece, molded rubber in a simple, functional profile: a narrow groove that seats into the panel edge and a rounded outer lip on both sides that clamps it in place. The rubber is dense enough to resist collapsing but supple enough to flex during installation. It doesn’t feel chalky or brittle, and it rebounded well after being compressed.

A few practical observations:
- The outer diameter measured as expected and the lip provides a clean, finished look.
- The rubber has a mild “new rubber” smell out of the bag, which faded after a day.
- The finish is matte and hides scuffs better than glossy plastics.

There’s no published inner diameter or panel thickness range here, so you’ll need to rely on your measurements and a test fit. That’s the only meaningful spec gap I noticed.

Installation and fit

Installing a rubber grommet is easy if you do a little prep:
1. Cut the hole cleanly and deburr both sides. Any burrs will fight the groove and can shave rubber off the edge.
2. Dry-fit to confirm the grommet’s lip will seat on both faces without excessive stretching.
3. Use a tiny bit of soapy water on the groove if the fit is tight. You rarely need more than a drop.
4. Work the grommet in by starting at one point and walking it around the circumference with your thumbs, rather than trying to press it in all at once.

On thin sheet metal, the grommet snapped into place with a pleasingly even lip on both sides. In plywood, it took a bit more coaxing, and the soapy water trick helped it glide over the rougher edge. On glass, the fit was the easiest and the end result was the most satisfying: a secure, non-marring cushion that completely masked the raw hole edge.

Once seated, the grommet stayed put. Tugging on cables and moving the umbrella pole around didn’t pop it out or deform it. There was no noticeable creep over a few weeks of daily use.

Performance in use

• Cable protection: For a bundle of low-voltage wires through a steel panel, the grommet eliminated sharp-edge contact entirely. There was zero scuffing on the jacket even after repeated movement. The rounded profile also reduced the bend radius stress where the bundle exits the hole.
• Vibration damping: On a small shop vac setup, the grommet cut down the chatter where the hose met a plywood cutout. The rubber absorbs just enough vibration to keep things quiet and prevent the edge from nibbling at the hose over time.
• Cushioning for rigid stock: In the tabletop application, the rubber lip gave a gentle, grippy seat. It tightened up the interface so the pole didn’t rattle, and it protected the glass from point loads if the pole wiggled in the wind.

Across these uses, the common thread is consistency. The grommet holds shape, doesn’t bind, and offers real abrasion resistance without being hard on the materials it touches.

Durability and maintenance

After weeks indoors and outdoors, I didn’t see any cracking, glazing, or unusual compression set. The rubber remained pliable and the lip stayed evenly seated. Dust does cling to the surface as it does with most rubber, but a quick wipe restores the look.

As with any rubber part, I avoid prolonged contact with oils and solvents. If you’re installing this in a setting with petroleum exposure or elevated temperatures, I’d test a spare piece or choose a grommet made from a known oil- and heat-resistant compound. For typical household, shop, and light equipment uses, this one behaves exactly as you’d hope.

Sizing and compatibility

The critical figure here is the 2-3/8 inch outer diameter. That tells you roughly how much face the grommet will cover. What you still need to confirm yourself:
- Hole diameter: The groove should “bite” the edge without excessive stretch. A too-small hole won’t accept the grommet; a too-large hole will be loose and may pop out.
- Panel thickness: Rubber grommets assume a certain thickness range. Very thin sheet can work, but extremely thick material can prevent the lips from engaging properly.
- Pass-through clearance: Consider the inner diameter of the installed grommet relative to whatever will pass through—cable bundle, hose, or pole—especially if you expect frequent movement.

Because this model is sold in a “one size” configuration, make your measurements before buying multiples. If you’re outfitting a project with varied hole sizes, you might consider a grommet kit that covers a range.

Where it falls short

• Sparse specs: Without a published panel thickness range or inner diameter, you need to rely on test fits. That’s manageable for one-off jobs but inconvenient for planning larger builds.
• Not a high-heat or chemical part: The rubber performs well in typical environments, but I wouldn’t install it near hot engine bays, ovens, or in oil-saturated conditions without verifying material compatibility.
• Dust and grime: As with most black rubber, it can pick up dust and pollen outdoors. Purely cosmetic, but worth noting for visible installations.

Alternatives worth considering

• Nylon or plastic bushings: Easier in high-volume panel assembly and sometimes available with locking tabs. They don’t damp vibration as well and can become brittle outside.
• Split grommets: Useful when you can’t disconnect cables or when retrofitting around existing lines.
• Edge trim with integrated bulb: Ideal for long, non-circular cutouts; offers continuous protection but lacks the centered pass-through lip a grommet provides.
• Metal grommets: Excellent wear resistance and heat tolerance, but they don’t cushion and can still abrade if not paired with a liner.

Practical tips

• If the fit is borderline tight, chilling the grommet for a few minutes can make it slightly firmer and easier to push into the groove without mushing.
• Use a plastic spudger or a rounded wooden stick to roll the lip over stubborn edges; avoid screwdrivers, which can nick the rubber.
• Label a small bag with the size and keep a spare near your electrical and furniture repair kit—these are the kinds of small parts that save a bigger fix later.

Value and verdict

There’s not much flash to a rubber grommet, and that’s the point. This one from Jandorf does the quiet work of protecting and isolating with the kind of consistency I expect: it seats cleanly, grips well, resists abrasion, and adds a tidy finish. The 2-3/8 inch outer diameter covers the edge nicely and provides a generous cushion without looking bulky.

I recommend this grommet for general-purpose panel protection, cable pass-throughs, and light vibration damping—especially in household and shop settings, or anywhere a hard plastic insert feels too brittle. Just measure carefully, confirm your hole size and panel thickness, and avoid high-heat or oil-heavy environments unless you’ve verified compatibility. If those boxes are checked, this simple part will make your project cleaner, quieter, and longer-lasting.