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How to cut a paper gasket

  • Thread starter Thread starter skizm
  • Start date Start date
I use that technique on alloy parts - you've just got to be really gentle. Most of the time you don't use the edges / hammer to cut the gasket but rather to make dents in the paper which you then cut out with scissors or a craft knife.

Of course, on the BSA I can just use a great big hammer........:D
 
This technique would work well with a dowel to press the outlines into the paper in case you are scared of cracking an alloy part.

This guy's youtube stuff is fantastic
tons of well illustrated vids without nonsense special effects or god awful music

constant narration is a heck of a skill especially since he does not appear to be scripting these, just speaking and showing things simultaneously.

sadly he has closed down his MG sales service business
not sure why may be he just retired.
 
hampshirehog said:
I use that technique on alloy parts - you've just got to be really gentle. Most of the time you don't use the edges / hammer to cut the gasket but rather to make dents in the paper which you then cut out with scissors or a craft knife.

Of course, on the BSA I can just use a great big hammer........:D
Click to expand...
do BSA's use gaskets? thought they just used a tube of silicone on each cover! :)
 
Agemax said:
do BSA's use gaskets? thought they just used a tube of silicone on each cover! :)
Click to expand...

It's red hermatite - silicone was ne'er but a twinkle in a bathroom sealant's eye. I have a theory that every single gram of red hermatite ever used is still in existence and come armageddon it'll be the only stuff left that survives.
 
To punch out the bolt holes use ball bearings that are about twice the hole size and tap the top of the ball bearing with a hammer. DIY 4 cylinder suzuki valve cover gaskets might be a bit too hard to make though.:lol:
 
Go to Staples and get a hole punch for 1.99. The 1/4" hole punch is perfect for cutting holes in gaskets. and larger holes are made by making multiple cuts with the hole punch.
 
so paper/cardboard is a good gasket material? Like for carb gaskets?
 
midnightcafe said:
so paper/cardboard is a good gasket material? Like for carb gaskets?
Click to expand...
Well not for me. I have bought gasket material bulk before. and I have used paper and thin cardboard to make gaskets. But usually only make them when I just can't wait for a new one to ship or I am working on some weird parts no longer available mecho-gizmo.
 
IMO, gasket cutting is a skill everyone should learn. You never know when a bit of cardboard will get you home.

gggGary said:
DIY 4 cylinder suzuki valve cover gaskets might be a bit too hard to make though.:lol:
Click to expand...

They aren't too bad. Just time consuming.

For holes, I use either a hole punch set, or I have a few different sized unthreaded shaft bolts I've modded a bit by cutting off the threads and concaving out the shaft. The bolts work great if you don't want to outine the holes, move the cover, then punch the holes. I use a bolt that's the slightly larger SEA nearest diameter so it's a tight fit in the hole.
This makes sure that all of the holes are all going to be properly centered too.
Some day I may just make a full set of them from drill stock.:cool:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=1136042&postcount=14http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8633&d=1261782556
 
Last edited:
A piece of tubing sharpened on the end works great as a hole punch. As for the correct gasket paper, auto parts stores carry this in various grades and thicknesses.

As for banging on the part as shown in the video, I think this is a reasonable technique to make an impression in the gasket paper (to be cut out using sissors and xacto knife) but I wouldn't try to cut real gasket paper this way.

Photo below shows homemade carb gasket.

Picture.jpg
 
Gaskets

Gaskets

I've had to do it as a result of having old Allis Chalmers tractors and a Ford 8N. Because of this, I was able to make a few nice gaskets for a couple of restorations. Various sizes of spent ammo casings worked well. The ability to actually make one that works adds to the art of old bike restoration.
 
My step dad did this all the time. I've done it in a pinch. It works on gasket material fine. I don't think I'd cut with the hammer on alloy, unless I was stranded and no other choices. Old school skills are good to know. Thanks for the post.

cg
 
cutting gaskets

cutting gaskets

I used regular old notebook paper and got the exact pattern with that then just transfered it on my material, if that helps. You can also take a ver small amount of caulking on the valve cover or whatever and then press the gasket material on the caulking and it will leave the exact form you need.... my pennys worth.......
 
I recently did my valve shim adjustment, and cut my own gasket with the bulk stuff they sell at auto part stores. Coated the mating surface with motor oil and pressed it on the material so it would leave a stain. Traced around the stain with ball point pen. Put it on a flat wood surface and cut it out with an Xacto knife. Start to finish, the job took less than half an hour.

Worked like a charm! Paid 5.99 for the roll of material and 1.99 for the hole punch (6.3mm, perfect for 6mm bolts!), got the valve cover gasket, breather gasket, and also made a new ignition cover and starter cover gasket....and STILL had enough material left over that I could have made a few carb gaskets if I had needed. Yay, cheap diy! :clap:
 
^^^ that is how I do it too. Using sheet gasket material, I spray a light coating of wd 40 on the part, then set it down on the gasket material. The wetness leaves behind the exact shape of the part whichI then cut out with a razor knife. I have die cutters for the bolt holes.
 
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