Making your own gaskets

[bmwpower]

Anyone ever make their own gaskets out of some sort of material suited for a gasket? I've never made my own so I don't know what brand, etc. to look for. This is possible, correct?

I have an old tool for which parts are NLA, so I have to improvise.

Can I get this "material" at the local auto parts store and cut it out myself?

 

[Tscott]

Yes it does exist. Auto parts stores usually have 2 types from my experience. One is a cork type material that is pretty easy to work with, but is pretty thick so a small gasket would be difficult, the other is a very heavy paper type that I prefer. The paper is a little harder to get to seal but does allow making smaller gaskets.

And just as a tip, I used the stuff to make pump gaskets when none were available, so it does work, but cutting the gasket is the tough part. An old guy I worked with showed me that if you take the gasket material and lay it against the part you wanted to fit and hold it in place while you tapped along the edges to be cut with a small hammer, the pinching action created between the hammer and the part will cut the paper perfectly along the line. So no need for scissors.

Hope this helps

Tom

 

[mike944]

Yeah, your local auto parts store should have gasket material.

The chain places usually sell a gasket pack with an assortment of material. If these don't work, or aren't big enough, you'll have to hit a napa, or other jobber store.

I have found it's not easy making gaskets. You'll need a sharp exacto knife, and a LOT of patience.

I've tried the hammer trick above. For me, it works with varing levels of success. Sometimes good, sometimes not. it doesn't work with the holes.

One other trick i've tried is using magic marker or some other type of ink all over the surface, and then quickly pressing the gasket sheet down onto it before it dries. This way you'll have an imprint of the surface on the face of the gasket so you can cut.

Good luck!

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've tried the hammer trick above. For me, it works with varing levels of success. Sometimes good, sometimes not. it doesn't work with the holes.

If you put the gasket over the hole, then put the ball end of a ball pein hammer against the hole and tap it with another hammer, it will generally work pretty well. Even if it doesn't cut out the hole all the way around, at least it gives you a good mark to cut with the Xacto knife.

 

[shopforeman]

Works well with a ball pein hammer. There are also gasket cutting tools and kits available.

 

[mhoffm911]

I would think a magic marker would dry out fairly quickly. How bout a bingo dobber? I think it might stay longer. An ink pad would probably work too.

 

[gotmud13613]

I make them alot on my old 48 Case highboy, it's alot cheaper to buy a roll and make your own.

I use the rubber-fiber paper and have good results using it. When I need a gasket i always make an extra and the next ime I'll have one ready.

I use HF gasket cutter set http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=6770

 

[MXtras]

The hammer method works well, you just have to be careful not to damage the parts.

NAPA has the gasket materials.

Scott

 

[Lloydthumper]

I make them alot on my old 48 Case highboy, it's alot cheaper to buy a roll and make your own.

I use the rubber-fiber paper and have good results using it. When I need a gasket i always make an extra and the next ime I'll have one ready.

I use HF gasket cutter set http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=6770

I have that very gasket cutter and it broke right where the thread are the first time I used it. And no I didn't hit it very hard at all I have four gasket cutters at work. One I really like for cutting round holes it will cut a gasket and cut id and od at the same time. It is also a punch type but it cost about $200 dollars we also have one that cost $800 for cutting large round gaskets and then my two harbor freight tool sets that work ok after I fixed the one for small stuff. The best all around material I have found if the gasket is not to huge is a regular file folder the yellowish tanish kind. I have used them on oil pumps that run 500 degrees F to gaskets on piston hydraulic pumps and water pumps and have never had a problem with them they work just as good as the $100 a piece graphite gaskets we use to buy and last just as long. You will tick a plant engineer off in a minute when he comes in and goes to get a file and there is a 6" round hole in the side of his file folder and you tell him it was that or the machine not running. go talk to the plant manager if it is that big a deal. Never had him go to the plant manager yet. I don't do as much now that I am a production supervisor but I still get dirty when I want to.

 

[Matti]

You could also go to a company like this to source a large variety of gasket materials http://www.allstategasket.com/
Garlock is one of the big mfg's of gasket materials http://www.garlock.com/ViewCategory?category=3

 

[Bevis]

An old guy I worked with showed me that if you take the gasket material and lay it against the part you wanted to fit and hold it in place while you tapped along the edges to be cut with a small hammer, the pinching action created between the hammer and the part will cut the paper perfectly along the line. So no need for scissors.

Hope this helps

Tom

I learned that same trick, from an oldtimer....

 

[PanelDeland]

I make an ocassional gasket.I use the ball peen hammer trick also.Another tip is for cutting the holes.Use a round punch made from the right size pipe or steel tubing.I just sharpen one end on the ole bench grinder.These punches will need ocassional sharpening but work for a few holes especially of an odd size that you don't need often.

 

[jimvannoy]

I use the paper type to make them all the time. Just buy a roll of it at a local parts place. A sharp Xacto knife and punch set will cut it fine.