Gasket Material

[Steven P]

Putting back together a hedge trimmer and I know I can get the carb gaskets. Just my curiosity, can you buy a sheet of gasket materials to make your own? and what would it be.

 

Or not worth the hassle, stop being tight and just buy some?

 

 

(in the next year got to service the other hedge trimmer and I know that needs at least 1 gasket, not sure about the leaf blower that is next on the list to look at, suspect it might too - could be wanting to buy a few, or make a few. No rush to get them back in service so can take the time to make something up if needed - working on the n+1 principle of how many tools I need)

[Doug Tait]

I used the soft tongue leather from an old pair of NI combat boots once on a lawn mower, it worked but I don't know how long it lasted for.

[spudulike]

No, it is a very valid point. I get sheets of gasket material off the bay and then cut my own gaskets for specific squish heights or just when I want to get a machine back together rather than waiting a while for a simple manifold gasket. A decent set of hole punches and a hand hole punch is a benefit as is a very sharp craft knife.

Very useful when you notice the carb mounting gasket is buggered on reassembly.

I don't do the more tricky ones but also useful for discontinued gaskets.

[Will C]

Gasket paper is super cheap 👍

[Dan Maynard]

Doing cars, my dad would set the flange up in the vice, lay the gasket paper over, and then tap gently all round the edge with a small ball pein hammer to cut out the shape.

 

Not sure I'd want to do it on a chainsaw carb though.

[Steven P]

11 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

Doing cars, my dad would set the flange up in the vice, lay the gasket paper over, and then tap gently all round the edge with a small ball pein hammer to cut out the shape.

 

Not sure I'd want to do it on a chainsaw carb though.

 

Likewise with big steam engines and my dad (and I did a few too) - though with these the flanges were fixed, knock out one bolt hole, bolt the gasket material in place and do the rest.

 

 

So for my next question, how to resurrect a flat carb....

[Steven P]

Thanks, just out of curiosity I might have a go then

[spudulike]

Worth a bash, just purchase in different thicknesses something like 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.75mm and 1mm or just stick to a common 0.5mm thickness that will cover most typical small engine gaskets.

It won't cost you much, that's for sure!

[Steven P]

Just been looking and that was my next question!! Though for just the carb, not a lot of pressure (or suction, depends which side you are looking at), I was going to go about 0.5mm - see what the motor spares shop has tomorrow.

 

[Dan Maynard]

4 hours ago, Steven P said:

 

Likewise with big steam engines and my dad (and I did a few too) - though with these the flanges were fixed, knock out one bolt hole, bolt the gasket material in place and do the rest.

 

 

So for my next question, how to resurrect a flat carb....

My dad did his apprenticeship on oil tankers which were steam turbine, probably the same heritage of trick.