OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Tech Talk Making Gaskets.. tips ?

Hi guys,

So I'm in need of a couple of Crankcase gaskets for Ryobi trimmmers, but cheapest I've found is close to $10ea (inc postage.. which is a large chunk of money to spend on an old trimmer (for me anyways).. so I figured, I'd try my hand at making some with gasket paper.

The crankcase gaskets I'm wanting to make seem like a basic design,



I was thinking, using a drawing compass I could probably easily draw one out and carefully cut it out..

Pretty sure I have a couple of other projects too that'll need some gaskets.. issue I need feedback on are;

Q: How do I determine what thickness I need ?

Q: Does anyone have experience making gaskets for petrol gardening tools ?... Any tips ?


Thanks in advance

Sheets of gasget paper are available from repco and supercheap.
you lay the paper onto the crankcase part you want the gasget for and gently (gently) tap on the edges and bolt holes with a ball boint hammer to cut the gasket.
it takes a bit of practice and steady hands as you do not want to move the paper while you are tapping on it.

Thanks Gambler . I saw a couple of videos where they used the hammer to cut the paper, though I'm pretty hesitant (at this stage of my experience) to do that in-case I do damage the case, so I was leaning towards the drawing and cutting of it.. though how easy for it to damage the crank case with light taps ?

Also, regarding thickness.. is there a general rule-of-thumb or a usual universal thickness that can be used ? ie. One thickness can have multiple uses, not just for Crank-case gaskets etc.. ?

might like to practise with an old cerial box and and an old piece of crankcase or some sort of thin alloy .. just to get the feel of it . and a cheap set of hole punches have lasted me well for a lot of years too (just use over a bit of wood or rubber ;))

try not to practise on something you need so it dont matter if you damage it huh we all learn something new with practise widget just ask and it comes mate .

Thickness depends on the application.
General rule is to put in what came out to maintain original clearances.
However , if you have enough clearance between the crankcase and any moving parts on the externall part of the crank then a slightly thicker gasket should not adversely affect the operation of this engine.

Lets note that a too thick a gasket however will increase the overall volume of the crankcase by 1 or 2 poofteens.

I have used the hammer method for ages and it works well, you can also put a smear of grease onto your crankcase half and then press it down onto the gasket paper. The grease will transfer to the gasket paper giving you an outline, make your holes first with a wad punch or similar then carefully cut out your gasket.

I use a thick tracing paper to copy the part it's for... then use it to cut gasket material.
Also I use hole punches of different sizes, easier than trying to cut circles with a knife

Yep, I agree with all comments above.i personaly use the smear of grease method and a wad punch( very important tool for making gaskets)