Making your own gaskets

I have recently beem forced to make many fiber gaskets that are on the heat exchanger of a Detroit Diesel boat motor.
I have always resisted making my own gaskets because I never had the proper materials, tools or they just tend to look tacky.
On my current project I really have no choice.
McMaster-carr has a very large selection of gasket materials. I have found the burna-n and organic material in 1/64" and 1/32" to cut well and being rubber based it is very flexible. It resists oil and water so is a good universal gasket material.
Cut a piece of material larger than you need.
Use the flange you are making the gasket for as a hole template.
Use the drill press on a high speed to drill the holes. At high speed the material drills without tearing.
Get a good supply of exato blades they dull easily when using a flange for a template.
The magic trick is a small wood carving set. It will have radius tools, 90 degree, amd straight tools to trim corners and enlarge cutouts.
I am using a small wood carving set from Wal-Mart. Carving tools are in the arts and crafts area for $3.98.
Cut on a chopping block from the kitchen. The white plastic blocks are soft enough to protect the tools.
I also have found that a magnifing light is a nice to have.
Keep your tools sharp and be careful.

With developed skill and patience you will never be stuck begging for a gasket again.

I make my own water pump to engine plate gaskets. I once contacted meizere to find out what these gaskets would cost because there is nothing to them. When I was told that 2 gaskets would cost $15 dollars I went and bought roll of gasket material and start making my own. It is also helpful to use regular sicisors to cut gasket and do fine trimming with exacto knife.

I don't know if it will work with the material your using but with cork you can just use a ballpeen hammer and the edges of the flange will cut the cork and make a perfect gasket.

i have a can of brass shell casings for punching diff hole sizes. 22s thru 50cal. works like a charm.

Quote:

---

i have a can of brass shell casings for punching diff hole sizes. 22s thru 50cal. works like a charm.

---

Same here - made my own oil pump gasket for the 383 after I accidently damaged the new one.