Making a gasket

[Craptain]

I recently needed a new head gasket for an obsolete Craftsman compressor. It didn't take long for me to find that it was not available anywhere. So I thought I would make one. Simple enough! Er not so much. The problem was in creating a pattern, the material being too stiff to use directly. I tried with various types of paper but was not having much luck, and then thought about the copy machine. Well as the head had already been well and truly de-greased I sat it directly, but gently on the glass surface. It worked. I was able to get a clear enough, and accurate picture that I could cut out and use it as a pattern.

In the past I have used various papers, including commercial tracing paper to make patterns but this is a first for me. Now about that timing cover gasket.....

 

[dowmace]

Normally I can use a piece of cardboard and a rubber mallet to get a good template.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

 

[Haveblue]

Thats a great idea for small parts with complex gaskets! Im stealing that one!

 

[LXCam]

Thats a great idea for small parts with complex gaskets! Im stealing that one!

No kidding, that ones gonna get logged away for a rainy day. Most excellent there captain craptain!

 

[kbs2244]

I cannot guess how many breakfast food box gaskets I have made.

But more and more I am seeing liquid gaskets being used.
Even in OEM manufacturing.
Lower cost, no multiple part numbers inventoried, and better sealing.

 

[Stephenw]

Put a clear plastic document protector on the surface. Trace out the details with a sharpie marker. Scissors and X-Acto knife and you are in business.

 

[jmm]

If I can't use the old gasket to trace out my outline, my favorite trick is to take a thin sheet of paper and place it firmly over the surface to be sealed. Tape if necessary to insure it doesn't move. Take a light weight ball peen hammer and tap around the edges with the round side. It'll very lightly crease the surface of the paper, and the round side of the hammer allows you to mark edges, corners, and bolt holes. Works good for me.

 

[Zeke]

If I can't use the old gasket to trace out my outline, my favorite trick is to take a thin sheet of paper and place it firmly over the surface to be sealed. Tape if necessary to insure it doesn't move. Take a light weight ball peen hammer and tap around the edges with the round side. It'll very lightly crease the surface of the paper, and the round side of the hammer allows you to mark edges, corners, and bolt holes. Works good for me.

Shoot, I do that with gasket material. I think the OP had something pretty tough to use as a head gasket. I wonder how it was cut? Must need some punches.

 

[theknurl]

Shoot, I do that with gasket material. I think the OP had something pretty tough to use as a head gasket. I wonder how it was cut? Must need some punches.

me too

been doing it since I was a kid.....do the bolt holes 1st and put tapered punches in the holes to locate the gasket
you can use pin punches too, where they go from the straight part to the knurled part

 

[Craptain]

Shoot, I do that with gasket material. I think the OP had something pretty tough to use as a head gasket. I wonder how it was cut? Must need some punches.

Yup it was tough. It was not what I wanted but the best I could find at Advance. I have the punches and exacto knife and I used them in the final version. The pattern was not a simple one like my engine stuff. The old gasket was destroyed when the head came of. That would have been my preferred method. In any case I was just sharing an idea that worked for me. And now the compressor is working again.

Next I have to do my own compressor, but that needs valves. I have been using a backup for a few months and it doesn't quite have enough air for my needs.

 

[Firefighter615]

I have been making gaskets like that for years and have never had any problems using a ball peen hammer to cut the gasket material. I have been known to make them than go down the road to the parts store for them to tell me that they are no longer available and then have to go back home and make them any way. If works very well for me.

 

[Haveblue]

Ive made many gaskets in my day, I have found using a plastic mallet to tap around edges to form a pattern is a great way to make most gaskets, but, on smaller parts, I see the advantage of a precise pattern...copy it, and you can easily cut a complex gasket

 

[kams1973]

I use a ball peen hammer to make the inside and outside cuts. For bolt holes, I use a ball bearing. Locate the hole and smack the bearing. Perfect bolt holes every time.

 

[krivasgarage]

If your wife is a really bad cook, you can use her pancake batter.