Does anyone remember cork borers used in the ancient days in chemistry labs? Glass tubing could be inserted into the hole and the corks could be stuck in a flask for some purpose. The borers have a tapered cutting edge.
Well, I used a cork borer to cut the perfect bolt holes for my home-made carb gasket. Made me smile.
Last edited by Wally / Montana; 05/21/202111:38 PM.
34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
I used sharpened brass cartridge cases as gasket cutters, at least until I found a very nice set of gasket punches from MAC tools (used) on Ebay for a killer price. The trick for getting a clean-cut hole when using a gasket punch is to back up the piece youre cutting with something like a block of red oak or hard maple. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
1970 Chevrolet C10 Grandpa's -- My first truck -- In progress to shiny Follow the build in the Project Journal 1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually "Ole Red Girl" In the Stovebolt Gallery More pictures here 1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's Parts trucks- 1951 GMC 9300 | 1951-GMC 9430 | 1951- Chevrolet 1300
The trick for getting a clean-cut hole when using a gasket punch is to back up the piece youre cutting with something like a block of red oak or hard maple. Jerry
I used to punch 1/8” gaskets (1-2” holes) for manhole covers and very large valves and the end grain on hardwood worked much better than using the side of a plank.
Last edited by Phak1; 05/22/202111:50 AM.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
Twist, don't hammer, or chuck the case in a variable-speed drill motor. Thin brass doesn't survive much pounding. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Just to add to Jerry's thoughts. Make sure the primer in the shell casing is also spent.
Don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
If you're really good at aiming, "wadcutter" target bullets make nice clean holes, and the do it very quickly! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I bought a metal cutting hole punch on Amazon for use on brass. Turns out it also does well on plastic, leather, gasket material, etc. Punches sizes up to about 3/8" neat as you can want. Think it was about $30. Makes the work go pretty quickly, also because there is a small pin set in the dead center of each punch piece. You just put that in the center of what you're punching and there you go.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
When I say something like that, it essentially means, "i do not have one of those." Me saying that I "have" something in my busy shop should be considered to be a commission of fraud. Gross negligent fraud.
I need to stick with something like, "I don't know. We can look around for one in here for a couple of days..."
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
Arch punch sets can be expensive, but occasionally will find used ones on ebay. If I remember correctly, mine goes to 1 1/2 inches.
A revolving leather punch does a really nice job on holes up to maybe 3/16.
And for hand-cutting gaskets, a pair of curved-tipped finger-nail scissors really makes cutting curved surfaces much easier.
Jon.
Good carburetion is fuelish hot air The most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify. If you truly believe "one size fits all," try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes! The Carburetor Shop
