The best scissors for cutting gasket material?

[mikey03]

Growing up, we never threw away cereal boxes, they got flattened and saved for fuel pump and water neck gaskets.

I assume cereal boxes back then were the same as now and just cardboard? I came across some paper/cardboard gaskets once or twice in my life and I was shocked because they basically turned into shredded wet mush when I took the thing apart.

Whats the reason to use a paper cardboard gasket instead of rubber?

 

[MileHighRover]

For some reason when I clicked on this thread I thought I was on GJ. After reading through it, I realized I wasn’t. Otherwise 85% of y’all would have recommended Cutco shears for $145.

Why buy a $20 pair of scissors when a $145 pair will do just as well?

 

[OccupantRJ]

Spring clamps also work well in conjunction with inserted bolts to help control movement of gasket material on flange areas when cutting out a gasket. I tend to use the flatter end of the hammer on convex curves and the ball end on concave areas. On smaller holes in thinner gasket material I press downward with the ball end and rotate it right and left to cut it out.

 

[Cooter Brown]

It's been a while since I made a gasket. When I did I used the ball peen hammer method. But it's always been on cast iron stuff--is it a viable technique on aluminum components since they're so much softer?

 

[liliysdad]

I assume cereal boxes back then were the same as now and just cardboard? I came across some paper/cardboard gaskets once or twice in my life and I was shocked because they basically turned into shredded wet mush when I took the thing apart.

Whats the reason to use a paper cardboard gasket instead of rubber?

Because cereal boxes weren’t made from rubber?

We used what we had. Paper and cardboard gaskets definitely are reusable, but they work fine with some grease or shellac and while under compression. Low pressure applications like water necks and fuel pumps don’t need much, just something to fill the irregularities.

 

[OccupantRJ]

It's been a while since I made a gasket. When I did I used the ball peen hammer method. But it's always been on cast iron stuff--is it a viable technique on aluminum components since they're so much softer?

It works, but if being more careful, you can lightly imprint the gasket as a pattern and then cut it out conventionally.

 

[rlitman]

For some reason when I clicked on this thread I thought I was on GJ. After reading through it, I realized I wasn’t. Otherwise 85% of y’all would have recommended Cutco shears for $145.

Why buy a $20 pair of scissors when a $145 pair will do just as well?

Damn, are they that expensive now? I got a pair at a garage sale for a buck, and traded them in for the sharpening fee back when the retail was around $100. I'm very happy with mine, and will extol the virtues of takeapart shears in the kitchen, but even at $100, they were WAY overpriced. If you want kitchen takeapart cleanable shears, I highly recommend looking at Shun.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I've got a pair or two of knock off EMT shears in the garage. I know I have cut gasket with them.

Trauma shears are one of the greatest overlooked tools you can have. I carry them on patrol, my dad keeps a pair in the garage as well as the kitchen now, and my wife leaves some at school.

 

[scooby074]

I dont overthink it. I have a pair of these dollar store scissors that have a serrated edge that I use although Ive used whatever scissor I can find if I cant find the other ones. Also use a Xacto and a self healing cutting board and I have a set of punches that go up to about 1".

I usually buy replacement gaskets when available and only make them if I have to. Making gaskets is a bit of a dying art, last time I went to the "best" old school auto parts in the area for some thicker cork gasket, the guy behind the counter looked at me funny and said he hasnt sold any of that in 20 years.

 

[ChevyEFI]

For some fiber / alum. / fiber exhaust gasket material, Inused my Malco reds.

 

[Leon bee]

Like Scooby I really only make em when I'm eager to get going, or can't find a readymade out there. And emergencies.........several times over the years. Could almost always find something in the back of the car to cut with a pocket knife.