I have a new oil pump for my Rascal van but the factors say they can't get the gasket and have very kindly given me a sheet of gasket paper.

What's the best way to transfer the pump shape to the gasket paper to guide cutting out? I thought of thin coating of 3 in 1 on the pump body and placing pump on paper hoping that the shape ( including cut-outs and holes ) would transfer. But is there a better way ?

put it on the piece you need to seal and press round with a dirty thumb,for making holes.use a ball bearing and very small hammer,that way you get a nice edge,same goes for the outer edges,tap with a small hammer

If you can lay the paper over the faces to be joined you can gently tap the dges with a ball peen hammer ,this will cut the paper.

Or you can draw any larger holes cut them with scissors , place the paper of the item rub with grubby fingers to mark then remove and cut the rest , I sometimes use a one of those leather/hole punch gizmo's with about 6 diameter cutters on it , for the bolt holes.

sod off Ccnrod I'm answering this 1st!!!!!

leave it dave or ill tell everyone about your sheep

Just to emphasise what the others have said - tapping with the hammer must be gentle otherwise you'll damage the edges of the pump face. Cheers, Pewe
Now what's that about sheep - do tell?

Stuff the gasket, Tell us about the Sheep, Baaaaaaah,

Thanks guys.

And that explains the sheep with the dirty thumbprints all over it.

He was just helping the sheep over the fence, that's all! I'm not sure why he needed Velcro gloves for that, though...

I find a drill of the right size handy for making the holes, especially if you can put them in while the item is being held in place. You can just drop the drill through the hole in your object and twist it with your fingers to make the hole in the gasket and it's in the right place.

[Edited on 16/4/07 by Peteff]

Using a plastic faced hammer will allow you to hit it hard enough to cut the paper without damaging the egde of the pump joint surface.

Thanks all for suggestions. Ball peen hammer worked quite well. Better was put butt end of a drill a bit larger than the hole over the hole and tap the sharp end with an amma. The grubby thumb works a treat. Thanks again for help.