Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

This forum is dedicated to the Live Steam Hobbyist Community.

Moderators: cbrew, Harold_V

User avatar
Benjamin Maggi
Posts: 1409
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Albany, NY

Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

I want to purchase some gasket material to make some gaskets for my Sweet William engine. I plan to use them on the steam chest and on the ends of the cylinders. Some people recommend brown paper, some recommend gasket "goop" from a tube, and some say to use automotive gasket material. At least for now while I am timing the engine I will use something that is easy to remove and put back on, ruling out the stuff from a tube.

I looked online at automotive gasket material and found some in 1/16" and 1/32" thicknesses. There might be others too. What should I be using?

Thanks.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
User avatar
Joe Tanski
Posts: 318
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:44 am
Location: Eden ,New York

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by Joe Tanski »

Just use brown paper bag material & a little oil on it right before you assemble
Joe
User avatar
ChipsAhoy
Posts: 319
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2015 12:23 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by ChipsAhoy »

Grainger, Amazon, Tractor & Steam supply.
Made for steam.
20200924_140359.jpg
User avatar
LVRR2095
Posts: 1688
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:50 pm
Location: Maine, USA

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by LVRR2095 »

Like Joe said.....brown paper grocery bags make the best gaskets...and cheap! Use a little cylinder oil to stick them in place.
Keith Taylor
SteveM
Posts: 7763
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:18 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by SteveM »

While it's probably illegal, I've heard dollar bills make great gaskets.

The paper in them is really strong.

Steve
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10464
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by Bill Shields »

Actually there is no paper in $ bill. I have used them in emergencies in the past and they work well. Especially $20 bills
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Tim B Guenther
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 1:09 pm

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by Tim B Guenther »

Locktite 510 works well also.
FKreider
Posts: 338
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2018 8:44 pm
Location: Massachusetts

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by FKreider »

Bill Shields wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 6:15 pm Especially $20 bills
I bet $100 bills work even better!
:lol: :lol:
-Frank K.
SteveM
Posts: 7763
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:18 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by SteveM »

If you use a Zimbabwean dollar, it will only cost you $0.0000000000000000000000001 US.

I hear Venezuelan Bolivars can be had cheap too.

Steve
Mike Walsh
Posts: 955
Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 10:14 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by Mike Walsh »

Lap your surfaces and squirt some oil on 'em… Bolt 'em down for timing. You will probably be ok. Some leakage, but shouldn't affect timing too badly. Save the gaskets for the final product.
User avatar
Benjamin Maggi
Posts: 1409
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Albany, NY

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

Thank you all!
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
User avatar
Bill Shields
Posts: 10464
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:57 am
Location: 39.367, -75.765
Contact:

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Post by Bill Shields »

SteveM wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:02 pm If you use a Zimbabwean dollar, it will only cost you $0.0000000000000000000000001 US.

I hear Venezuelan Bolivars can be had cheap too.

Steve
but who knows what they are made from???
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Post Reply