austinsailor Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 I might have just found a new-to-me wonder tool today. My niece's husband recently got 2 40's Dodge pickups and is getting them on the road. He mentioned he'd rebuilt the carb and a few other things. I asked where he got the gaskets. He said he used his wife's Cricut machine, which is a computer driven thing, sort of like a printer, that cuts out about anything flat. He said he took a picture of the thing he needed a gasket for, sized it to measure the same as the real part, then just let it cut it out. You can cut all your gaskets, except metal head gaskets. What a deal - I never heard of them. I went straight to Hobby Lobby to look at them. For around $200 you can have a gasket cutter for about anything except headgaskets. What a deal! 2 Quote
Young Ed Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 I might have just found a new-to-me wonder tool today. My niece's husband recently got 2 40's Dodge pickups and is getting them on the road. He mentioned he'd rebuilt the carb and a few other things. I asked where he got the gaskets. He said he used his wife's Cricut machine, which is a computer driven thing, sort of like a printer, that cuts out about anything flat. He said he took a picture of the thing he needed a gasket for, sized it to measure the same as the real part, then just let it cut it out. You can cut all your gaskets, except metal head gaskets. What a deal - I never heard of them. I went straight to Hobby Lobby to look at them. For around $200 you can have a gasket cutter for about anything except headgaskets. What a deal! Dang why didn't I think of this! My wife has 2 of them!!!!!!! FYI not all of the machines are capable of scratch design cutting. Quote
desoto1939 Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 That is great but when is the break even time and how many gaskets do you plan to make for your car. rich hartung Quote
austinsailor Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Posted March 1, 2016 From what he described, it was much faster to do one - or 15, than to do one by hand. And a end up with a much cleaner gasket. I'll probably own one pretty quick - maybe tomorrow - and test it. Sounds almost too good to be true, but he's usually a pretty accurate guy, I think he knew what he was talking about. I didn't even know they made anything like that until about 2 hours ago. Quote
Jerry Roberts Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 Make the gaskets and sell them if there is a market . Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) That is great but when is the break even time and how many gaskets do you plan to make for your car. rich hartung If you are in this hobby to break even..............I can't explain it to you. Edited March 1, 2016 by Frank Elder 2 Quote
TodFitch Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 Found this on YouTube after reading this thread. Looks very useful for making gaskets. 6 Quote
austinsailor Posted March 1, 2016 Author Report Posted March 1, 2016 Isn't that just the coolest thing ever? Thanks for finding the video to go with this, TodFitch. Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 My wife's been bugging me to buy her one of these for 5 or six years now.....I think I will surprise her......lol. 2 Quote
CoronetGuy Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 My wife's been bugging me to buy her one of these for 5 or six years now.....I think I will surprise her......lol. Haha and then she will say "why are we keeping this in the garage???" Quote
casper50 Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 she will become suspicious when you ask to use it before she does. Quote
desoto1939 Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 If you are in this hobby to break even..............I can't explain it to you. Frank, I have been in the hobby for 25+ years. I was not questioning the use of the machine to cut gaskets. What I was trying to say is that to just make a single gasket or a couple of others then the cost of 200+ dollars is cost prohibitive. Yes his wife had the machine because of her scrapbooking or other craft making. So there isa double us for it in his house. But for me to just go buy the machine and wait for it I could purchase a gasket or go to the local swap meets and get them in bulk, not saying that they will be there but 200+ to make a single gasket is costly. As you might know I collect and scan automotive catalogs that cover the 30- 50's cars and trucks. This information is helpful when search for parts and also permits me to validate the parts that a vendor might be selling. So I understand the cost of buying things for the hobby. I am not trying to put down this gentleman or the use of the tool but just thinking out of the box on the cost and the return on investment. So you could also say the same about the catalogs that I collect. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote
Roadkingcoupe Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) "I am not trying to put down this gentleman or the use of the tool but just thinking out of the box on the cost and the return on investment. So you could also say the same about the catalogs that I collect. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com" If I were to look at this hobby as a simple question of pragmatism.......it wouldn't be a hobby but a failed business enterprise. The cost of entry and return on investment of the ownership of a 1930's - 1940's Mopars is almost always of a negative monetary value. Some people find the return on investment in the intrinsic personal value of ownership, DYI repair and the pleasure derived from operating a 75 year old vehicle that still does exactly what it was designed to do in a very respectable manner. I guess the ability to make your own gaskets is just another great addition to the "tool box" using a relatively affordable consumer product. Can you imagine making the "plastic" dash moldings for a Town & Country" with a 3D printer.....now that could be cost effective. The meeting of new consumer tech and old cars is a great marriage....more to come. Edited March 1, 2016 by Roadkingcoupe 1 Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 Rich, I never thought you were putting anyone down, thats not your style.......why you think it is a one time use item is whats beyond me. For that outlay I would become a gasket making fool just for the simple pleasure of saying I make my own. plus I'm married and thats a win win right there. Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 "I am not trying to put down this gentleman or the use of the tool but just thinking out of the box on the cost and the return on investment. So you could also say the same about the catalogs that I collect. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com" If I were to look at this hobby as a simple question of pragmatism.......it wouldn't be a hobby but a failed business enterprise. The cost of entry and return on investment of the ownership of a 1930's - 1940's Mopars is almost always of a negative monetary value. Some people find the return on investment in the intrinsic personal value of ownership, DYI repair and the pleasure derived from operating a 75 year old vehicle that still does exactly what it was designed to do in a very respectable manner. I guess the ability to make your own gaskets is just another great addition to the "tool box" using a relatively affordable consumer product. Can you imagine making the "plastic" dash moldings for a Town & Country" with a 3D printer.....now that could be cost effective. The meeting of new consumer tech and old cars is a great marriage....more to come. Or a complete dash for a 1941 windsor........ Quote
casper50 Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 I bet those pieces are hard to find in good shape. Quote
Frank Elder Posted March 1, 2016 Report Posted March 1, 2016 I bet those pieces are hard to find in good shape. Repeated exposure to sunlight makes them brittle. Quote
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