Making gaskets

[Guest]

I have two 13 gallon wing tanks in my Aeronca. The RH tank has a gauge that looks like the one that’s in the nose tank but its not. I checked with Synder’s antique FORD parts and he confirmed that the glass and gaskets do not fit it.

I should have checked also with Wag Aero and American Champion but I did not so I might soon find that I could have purchased the gaskets.

I needed the gasket that seals the gauge in the tank. I used Buna N rubber sheet to make them and purchased a General Tool gasket cutter from Amazon to do it.

I attached pictures that should be mostly self-explanatory.

The cutter is not supposed to be used in a power tool according to the instructions but it does work fine. Just keep away from it and do not get careless or hasty.

I used and old scrap of plywood and glued the rubber to it with a contact glue.

Also use some soapy water mix on the top surface to lubricate the cutters so they don’t drag the rubber off of the wood.

Advance the drill press slowly if you advance too fast the last part of the cut gets ragged edges, picture is attached, top gasket was a result of advancing the drill press too fast.

I ran the drill press as slow as possible, about 300 RPM.

I had to file the cutting blade edges ever so slightly to get them to end the cuts at the same time, one was slightly longer and I filed it shorter.

Worked great and I have my gaskets. $25 for the tool $20 for more Buna N than I will ever use.

Could also make gas cap and gascolator gaskets.

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Making gaskets

Cool, Dave, thanks for sharing your tips. I didn't even know this gasket cutter existed. I have a single-sided metal/plastic cutter but didn't know there was a two-sided version.

Where did you get the Buna-N?

As a side note, the company that made our Taylorcraft gas caps is still in business and can provide gaskets.

$24.99 & free shipping at Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-.../dp/B000189TSA

Other places have it too.

[Guest]

Re: Making gaskets

Hi Marty,

Check these Zoro Toll guys out that's where I got much of my Buna N I think this is the best place to get it. Amazon has it too.

http://www.zorotools.com/

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Making gaskets

Thanks Dave!

[N96337]

Re: Making gaskets

Looks good Dave! You'll find that you use that more and more.... experience talking here. I've about worn myself out making gaskets for stuff... it seems that nothing ever needs a new gasket when I'm in town at a parts store!
John

[Robert Lees]

Re: Making gaskets

Lovely job Dave!

Marty, for Taylorcraft fuel cap gaskets I use these, available from B&B Aircraft supplies (I usually pick them up from Oshkosh).

[M Towsley]

Re: Making gaskets

Thanks, Rob. When I bought a couple of caps from Eaton, (the original manufacturers of our Taylorcraft gas caps), I was able to get them to send me gaskets that look just like yours. I will be going to OSH this year and will look them up for spares.

[Guest]

Re: Making gaskets

Hi Marty,

Check these Zoro Toll guys out that's where I got much of my Buna N I think this is the best place to get it. Amazon has it too.

http://www.zorotools.com/

Dave

Hi Marty,

I have gotten a number of pieces of Buna N from Zoro.

Some are gasket making quality and others were not.

All were "commercial" quality grade.

I am a little perplexed. Perhaps that means that I should have been ordering mil spec grade.

It is not a problem for me since the pieces that would not be good for gaskets we not intended for gaskets anyhow.

Dave