Best way to cut thin paper seals for use with steam fittings

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

I would be interested to receive some ideas on the best way to make thin paper seals having a concentric hole for use with miniature steam fittings. In the past I have used an inverted scalpel blade mounted in the tool post with typically a brown paper blank held on a rubber clad face plate using double sided tape. This has the advantage that it is possible to cut a concentric hole for the passage of steam in a neatly cut seal with any radial fixing holes being put in with a suitable punch and guide as a second operation. I have had some success with this method but I would be very open to hearing the views of others and trying out different techniques.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I think that any system that works for you is ok as making special tools/punches for low volume amounts is just not worth it but wonder why you use brown paper instead of gasket paper as it is a completely different beast performance wise.

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

Can you suggest a suitable source and grade of thin gasket paper?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Liquid gasket works for me.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

ANY GOOD motor factor and a set of MAUN wad punches can make the job easy. A tube of Hylomar blue is also handy. For larger gaskets use a ball pein hammer say 8Oz or 12Oz. Noel.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Yes proper motor factor and ball bearings good for bolt holes. the bay is flooded with genuine flexoid paper

[GreensandsParticipant @greensands]

Well, that’s an original use of ball bearings. Would never of thought of that.

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

This sort of thing works well

 

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Emergency gaskets at work always had the holes cut with balls, it makes the cuts very precise. the out side can be cut with light taps from a small hammer.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

I don’t play with steam, but for other gaskets, I often glue the paper to one side with a very thin film of Wellseal, and run round with a fine point scalpel.

Bill

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

For the hammer and ball users how do soft GM castings as often found on Models and the softer aluminium alloys sometimes used on IC engines stand up to this? I’ve done it on full size iron castings but would worry about brusing the edge of the softer metals.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>To make the small bolt hole in gaskets I use a punch and die in the drilling machine. Make the gasket to fit the flange, then use the flange as a jig. There is no need to harden the die, and the punch is the wrong end of a drill. Hold the die in a drill vice, and relieve the hole from the underside so the chads fall out. Those with long memories will recall the problems caused by hanging chads.</p>

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Jason, use a soft hammer.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

What do you class as a soft hammer? I can bruse GM with a nylon one when hitting a corner to cut the paper. Also difficult to get it to cut on internal corners

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