Gasket Making Procedure?

[JINMA224XR]

I would like to know the gasket making procedure that you use to make a gasket, using gasket making material.

How do you form the outline on the gasket material, method you use to cut the material, method you use, to cut the bolt holes?

Now this should not be very controversial at all, since there are several different methods to do this.

All different methods are very much appreciated, and I am sure that this will be appreciated by many others also.

Maybe I will be able to learn, a much better way to do this, than I have done in the past.

I don't like to use Form A Gasket, so that is why I did not mention it.

Merry Christmas,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Egon]

Exterior can be traced and cut.

Interiors can be defined with a ballpeen hammer and then cut.

Bolt holes can be cut using the proper size punch.

Egon

 

[RonMar]

Well the easiest method is to trace a new gasket onto the gasket material or make a paper copy for future use. Whenever I get a gasket set, before I install a gasket I first trace it to paper. I only ever buy 1 gasket set for a vehicle.
To do bolt/stud holes, I use a hollow center punch used for punching holes in leather. It has a round blade and punches perfect holes. For larger holes I just cut carefully with a exacto knife.

If I don't have a gasket to start with, for standard/symetrical shapes such as a round exhaust gasket with a 3 bolt flange. I measure the diameter and flange hole center-center dimensions and use a compass to lay out these holes on the gasket material. For a non-standard shape such as a water pump housing, I take a piece of printer paper and cut it so it will lay on the mating surface, then spray a thin coat of WD-40 onto the mating surface of the part and press the paper into place. Just a little oil or you may need to press a second piece of paper on. Too much oil soakes into the paper and will blur the edges. This leaves a template on the paper wherever it contacts the surface. I then cut out around the oily spots and use that paper as a template for the gasket. I prefer colored printer paper as it is usually heavier/more dense and makes a good template.

"It aint broke till I can't make parts for it"

 

[JerryG]

Most of the time that I need to make a true gasket, I use a ball peen hammer. Lay the gasket material over the housing and tap around the edge, bolt holes etc. The edge of the housing will cut the gasket when the round part of the hammer hits it.

 

[schmalts]

There are a lot of spent shell casings (hangun) that are perfect sizes to use as hole punches as well. If you have a buddy into reloading, see what he has in calibers.
One thing that surprises me that the chinese have not went over to is the use of silicon sealant. If you have 2 fairly flat machined surfaces i would not hesitate to use a good RTV over a gasket. You hardly find a gasket in Auto and cycle, ATV applications anymore between two flat surfaces. The biggest key to a good seal is cleanliness. After cleaning the joint of all debris and old gasket use a spray can of parts cleaner or laquer thinner to clean the metal. Saturate a rag corner and wipe until the rag stays clean, then you know you have a surface ready to go! . A nice new razor blade is a great gasket scraper, and I would definitly use this for joints such as trans top covers, the 3 point lift cover, rocker cover, AUX PTO cover for the plate that you use to cover when you remove the backhoe pump, Ect.. Beats the heck out of making gaskets, and much faster.

 

[HGM]

I agree with Jerry,
When I make gaskets, I always beat them out... Sometimes I'll spray the surface with trim adhesive and "glue" the gasket to the removable surface. Then, you can tap the edges with a small ball peen or old screwdriver handle.

 

[Soundguy]

I like to lay my material out ont he part, and use a small tack hammer, or a small balpeen, and a bunch of patience and a light hand and peen out the imprint on the paper, then finish up with an exacto knife.

Soundguy

 

[MikeD74T]

The mechanics at my workplace set parts on a photocopy machine to make a paper pattern, glue it to the gasket material, & cut with exacto knives & punches. Sometimes they photocopy old or new gaskets & save extra copies for future use.

 

[greg_g]

I like that photocopy idea. I retired an old flatbed scanner earlier this year. Think I'll take it out of the box and hook it up to my workshop computer. Thanks.

//greg//

 

[JINMA224XR]

Hey Fellows,

Thanks for all of the different methods of making a Gasket.

I printed the Whole Thread out for future reference.

The Photocopy Machine Technique is a new one for me and is a very good idea.

Thanks Again, And I hope everybody had a very good Christmas.
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif