Making/cutting your own gaskets

[Chris J.]

Finding, ordering, & waiting for gaskets is frustrating. I've done ok cutting gaskets for car parts, but have failed miserably when cutting gaskets for chainsaws. I usually screw-up when trying to cut the small holes. I've been told there are punch?? sets that come in various sizes that will cut a tidy hole, & they are available at auto parts stores. I hoping to get some feedback on what y'all use, and what you like/dislike about them. I did a quick search, but didn't find much on using punches??.

Thanks in advance! Chris J.

 

[sawjo]

I've used the multi punch tool with several sizes on a wheel that you turn - its like a big paper punch. I ve seen them at Lowes etc.

 

[JohnL]

I have used regular flat punches, like used for driving roll pins etc. They are new, so the edges are good and square which helps give a clean cut. Put the gasket over a scrap 2x4 and drive it completely through the gasket stock, punches out a clean hole. Works great for me.

 

[kf_tree]

seach useing "leather punch"

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/CTGY/hollow-punch

 

[2Coilinveins]

I'm with KF Tree, I use a leather punch too.

 

[blackoak]

Depending on what size of hole you need, I use a spent 22 caliber rifle shell to cut some of my holes. I also use 30 caliber and 44 caliber shells also. They work good. Just place the material on a 2X4 and use a small hammer.

 

[Chris J.]

Shell casings...that's innovative , & cheap! Maybe I'll fire off a few rounds tonight; bet that'd get the neighbors attention . I'll check some of the larger crafts stores for some leather punches. Getting the whole as close as possible to the correct size has a lot of appeal. I have a new set of driving punches, but my concern is tearing the material when doing a small hole, like the corner wholes on a cylinder gasket.

Thanks for the advice & the link! Chris J.

 

[Simonizer]

A single hole paper punch works great if you need a 1/4" diameter hole. A hole punch set works great provided you don't lend them to a moron. I had a set ruined once because the clown I lent them to used them on a vise. They work best when you have a piece of clean, flat aluminum as a back support. Cheers.

 

[Al Smith]

A teeny little ball peen hammer works real well if you know how to use it.I have one that tips the scales at a whopping 4 ounces. Large gaskets are easy to do,itsy bitsy ones are a pain in the back sides.

 

[Dennis Cahoon]

Knot Whole....Someone said Dozerdan uses an old spoon to make his gaskets!

But I'd try a simple paper bunch and RC car body scissors.

 

[superman_36]

you can buy one of those cheap 1/4 socket sets and grind the edges and throw on a extension and hit it with a hammer and it cuts it real easy plus gives you a variety of sizes
good luck
ERIK

 

[Chris J.]

More great advice, thanks!

Al, it's the little holes that get me.
Dennis, a paper punch sounds good, but I'd like to be able to cut a variety of sizes.
Superman, I like the idea of having that many sizes, but my grinding skills are not that great.
Simonizer, I thought that wood made the best 'backstop.'

My wife has some nice exacto knives, now if I can only find :Eye: /\ :Eye: where she keeps hiding them .

 

[TimberPig]

Here is an article that may give some useful tips.

http://www.off-road.com/dirtbike/tech/2002gasket/

 

[scottr]

Backstops & cutters

Chris , some of that Mesquite would make a nice backstop for a rolling razor blade cutter .

 

[calh]

Gasket/Hollow punch set

For about $25.00 you can get a Gasket/hollow punch set made by K-Line that will make cutting holes in gaskets painless. Punches holes from 1/4" to 1". I got mine years ago at NAPA. If you use a piece of hard wood behind the gasket material you get very clean holes and the punches will last a long time.

 

[eric_271]

Save a piece of that osage orange to cut and punch holes. Its hard enough you wont see the marks of a razor or a hole punch but it wont take the edge off of your tools either. Tell Moe Hi.

 

[Al Smith]

That little ball peen hammer trick just marks the holes on little gaskets.You have to use a punch on the holes .I have made carb gaskets with this method[not chainsaw carbs]If I have to cut them I use a straight edged razor blade and a piece of oak as a backer.I also have a set of gasket punches for the holes.
My dad showed me this method perhaps 40 years ago.The worst gasket I ever made was an intake manifold gasket for an OC-6 Oliver crawler .It was made of double sided Garlock with metal in the middle and a real challange to cut[chisel ugh]

 

[cunrya]

I use spent rifle casings too? Works great nice clean holes. Also, Found that in a pinch, a leftover 12 pack box works quite well for gasket material, cereal boxes work good too.

 

[SandMan]

Good post! Last week I stopped by the local Stihl dealer for an 066 Mag muffler cover gasket. Almost $14!!! Even the shop guy admitted that was steep and I might think about making my own. Whoever at Stihl who sets the retail prices for parts like this must be smoking some really good stuff.

I like the link to the Dirt Bike article for making gaskets. Gives me an excuse to have a stack of these:

"The first place to check would be the old Playboy magazines. Their covers are of good quality and are about .005-inch thick, whereas a typical motorcycle magazine cover weighs in at a thin .004-inch thick."

 

[Chris J.]

Beer & Playboy sounds good, but they're probably not conducive to getting any serious work done (grinning smiley).
Eric, good to see you posting. Mo says hi, when I explained your situation she said "HOW many months?!" Are you doing much cutting in your "leisure" days?

Thanks to all for your input!

Chris J., a prime example of a little knowledge being dangerous.

Edit: I just went over 1,000 posts. When will my free chainsaw ship?