A DIY gasket is probably not high on your to-do list. However, it is simple to do, and might just make that hubby of yours a happy guy. Especially so, if he happens to be the household mechanic and fixer of all things, as mine is.

The particular gasket that I cut was for a Polaris Razor. It seems to me that such an item would be common enough that the local dealer would keep them in stock. However, such was not the case, so we simply stopped at the nearest auto parts store where Hubby picked up a roll of gasket material.

My husband uses TurboCAD for his drawing needs, so he created a DXF file of the simple gasket. I was not able to open it directly into Make The Cut, or change it to an SVG using Inkscape as I thought I might be able to do. But it was a simple matter to quickly retrace it by hand in Inkscape and copy and paste into MTC. (There may be a better way to accomplish this. In fact it could probably be drawn right in MTC, but this worked for me.)

• Materials:

1. Gasket Material
2. Blue Capped Blade
3. Cutting Mat (Not too sticky)
4. Masking Tape
5. Make The Cut Software

• Settings for KNK Zing:

1. Force – 120
2. Multicut – 3
3. Speed – 10

• Steps:

1. Use MTC or other program to draw gasket .
2. Stick piece of gasket material to mat and use tape on edges to hold down securely.
3. Extend blade to allow for thickness of material.
4. Cut
5. Remove from mat. (Make sure no gasket material is pulled off when removing from mat. This is important to ensure a good gasket seal.)
6. Show gasket to your “household mechanic” so that he can be amazed at your skill and expertise! 😉

As you begin the new year, here is my wish for you:

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

~ An Irish Blessing