Making Gaskets

phiferpharm · Dec 5, 2013

My neighbor was kind enough to give me an old PHD that was not being used. I tried it and it is working fine, but leaking. I can't figure out what brand it is (no markings I can find) and figure I'll just have to make the new gaskets.

Any suggestions on the best material to use to make the gaskets?

wolftree · Dec 5, 2013

A sheet of cork would probably work best. I have used the cardboard from laundry soap boxes as well.

JerryK · Dec 5, 2013

Used to be able to buy sheets of gasket material at your local auto part shop. Back in ancient times, that's how we made gaskets. Lay the material across the cleaned metal part, gently tap the edges with a ball peen hammer... making sure to tap on all the bolt holes... Then cut the gasket out from the outline you made. Used to have various size hole punches for the bolt holes... made out of different size pipes/etc. ground down to a cutting tool. Slap a little permatex on the gasket, bolt the thing together, and you are good to go.

RalphVa · Dec 5, 2013

You could use plain silicone Goop. Just get the surfaces clean and free of oil/grease and apply the Goop.

My Alfa Duetto manual transmission didn't use any gaskets at the mating surfaces. One was supposed to use something akin to Goop (in 1969) back then.

Ralph

Daver1963 · Dec 5, 2013

Tractor Supply Company has all kinds of gasket material. If you've to take it apart anyway just take a piece of the old gasket there or to some other ag supply place and get the closest thing.

Pharm · Dec 5, 2013

I picked up some cork at autozone a couple of years ago - fixed a air compressor that I thought was shot. Good as new now.

/pine · Dec 5, 2013

I second buying gasket material at the auto parts store...along with a personal recommendation for Permatex 'High Tack'...it is a very good sealant for most gaskets...

I tip I learned long ago when making gaskets is to punch the holes for the bolts...leather hole punches work well but a spent rifle or side arm caliber brass casing (of the right diameter) will work just as well...

Good luck...

PILOON · Dec 5, 2013

A trick I learned from an oldtime mechanic was to position the gasket material over the casting and using a bearing ball gently rap the ball when in position. A perfect round and slightly oversized hole will result.
He also liked to smear grease on paper gaskets so that they could be reused.
I keep an assortment of bearing balls on hand from 3/8-3/4, very handy.

/pine said:
I second buying gasket material at the auto parts store...along with a personal recommendation for Permatex 'High Tack'...it is a very good sealant for most gaskets...

I tip I learned long ago when making gaskets is to punch the holes for the bolts...leather hole punches work well but a spent rifle or side arm caliber brass casing (of the right diameter) will work just as well...

Good luck...

DJ54 · Dec 5, 2013

Most gasket material comes in rolls now. Read in another forum more than several years back to take a steam iron, and iron it out. I just spritz a little water on it, use a piece of plywood for the ironing board, and works like a charm. Something to look for at a yard sale, and keep in the shop.

I've picked up several sized ball pein hammers, with the pointier ends on them for this specific purpose.

Do the holes first, put in a bolt, and go to the opposite side, back & forth until you have them all. Keeps the material from drawing in on you, while you tap the perimiters.

I'll second the "High Tack", or I also use the Permetex 300.