Gasket material for motor terminal box

[BountyboyParticipant @bountyboy]

Hello,

I’m currently refurbishing a EMCO Maximat Super 11 lathe and one of the many issues I’ve come across so far is the gasket that seals the motor terminal box cover is missing. Because of where the motor is situated it could be exposed to coolant etc, could anyone recommend a suitable gasket material?

Many thanks,

Paul

[BountyboyParticipant @bountyboy]

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Butyl rubber, a bit of old inner tube, silicon RTV. Noel.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Rather than mess cutting sheet stuff into complicated gasket shapes, I've taken to Blue Gasket goo squeezed from a tube (Hylomar, sold by Halford and other motor factors, other makes available). Heat and oil proof.

Dave

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

As Noel says silicone rtv just spread a film in the lid, leave to cure and use the plus is its difficult to lose!

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

I would have thought that any Motor Factor shop would have something suitable.

There again, maybe not.

Maybe thinking overkill ?

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

If you use silicone rubber; as long as the cover cannot touch the live terminals, there is no need to let the bead cure.

Tightening against a cured bead will eventually lead to torque relaxation, loss of clamp load, and the risk of coolant finding its way into the terminal box. Which is exactly what we want to prevent!

Just run a small CONTINUOUS bead about 1.5 -2 mm dia, around the edge of the box, or lid, and tighten the screws.

Excess sealant will squeeze out and inwards, sealing any gaps in an otherwise metal to metal joint, without any fear of torque relaxation.

Howard

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Having once used Silicone to seal a big dust containment box, perspex panels on a steel frame, I'd put some furniture polish on one face to make sure you can get it apart again.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Cork based materials were commonly used on motor terminal boxes but oil resistant synthetic rubbers are often used now.

Mike

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