Apparatus and methods for forming attachment pads

A tool for forming an attachment pad on a sheet material, the tool comprising:

• a housing;
• an anvil supported on the housing and defining a working axis for forming the pad;
• a slide block supported on the housing for movement at least along the working axis of the anvil;
• a die block supported on the housing opposite the slide block and movable in directions along the working axis, the die block cooperating with anvil to form the pad;
• an actuator on the housing and biasing the slide block in a direction toward the die block, the actuator configured to operate in a first mode wherein the slide block is movable toward and away from the die block, and a second mode wherein the slide block is locked against movement in a direction away from the die block;
• and
• a selectively adjustable counterbalance device configured to cooperate with the actuator in the first mode to counterbalance a force applied to the slide block by the actuator.