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How to Cut Gasket Material?
 Clean radius and straight cuts are
achievable on gasket material with the proper
tooling. Thinner types of gasket material require
nothing more than sharp blades and hollow gasket
cutters. Gasket material over 1/4-inch thick require
specialized mechanical tools to create the precision
cuts necessary to seal a piece of equipment and is
best left to professionals. Properly securing the
gasket material and ensuring the tools used are in
good condition will allow you to cut thinner gasket
material efficiently and precisely.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
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1/4-inch plywood
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Steel rule
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Paint marker
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Utility knife
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Circle gasket cutter
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Hollow gasket cutter set
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Dead-blow mallet
1.
Set
the 1/4-inch plywood on a firm flat surface. Place
the gasket material on top of the plywood. Using
gasket cutting tools without plywood will cause
damage to vital tool components.
2. Measure
and mark a rectangle sized to the length and width
of the final gasket size with a steel rule and paint
marker. Do not use a permanent marker on
rubber-based gasket material.
3.
Cut along the marked lines with a utility knife,
using the straight edge as a guide.
4.
Mark the center of the rubber gasket material for a
round gasket or mark holes needed for fasteners on
rectangle gaskets with a paint marker.
5.
Set the center pin of the circle gasket cutter on
the center mark of the gasket material. Loosen the
thumb screw located on the side of the cutter. Slide
the cutting blade(s) to the edge of the cut gasket
material. Tighten the thumbscrew. While applying
light pressure toward the surface of the gasket
material, spin the cutter in a clockwise direction
to cut the circle gasket. Adjust the cutting blades
as described to cut and remove the inner section of
the round gasket.
6. Align
the hollow gasket cutter from the cutter set that
matches the size of the hole required in the gasket
material. Strike the back of the hollow gasket
cutter hard with a dead-blow mallet. Pull the hollow
gasket cutter from the surface of the material. If
the hole plug does not come out with the hollow
gasket cutter, realign the cutter blade with the
scored hole and repeat the process until the plug
removes from the gasket material. Repeat the process
to cut all hole locations in the gasket material.>>The
End
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