The Backyard Shop

Fabrication Services

Custom Laser Cut Gaskets

Precision 2D gaskets cut from paper, cork, rubber, felt, and specialty materials. Quick turnaround for prototypes, repairs, and custom sealing applications.

Example Work

Intake manifold gasket
Cork valve cover gasket
Flange seal gasket

Representative examples. Actual parts vary based on customer specifications.

Quick Turnaround: Most gasket orders ship in 1–5 business days. Simple profiles from stock materials can often be same-day or next-day. Send your DXF or drawing for a fast quote.

Material Selection Guide

Choosing the right gasket material depends on temperature, chemical exposure, pressure, and surface finish. Here's what we stock and when to use each.

Paper / Cellulose Fiber

Up to 250°F (120°C)

Economical, compresses well, not suitable for high heat or oil immersion. Common for automotive and small engine applications.

Common Applications: Carburetors, fuel pumps, water pumps, low-pressure covers
Best For: Low-cost sealing, fuel systems (compatible grades), water passages

Cork / Cork-Rubber Composite

Up to 250°F (120°C)

Good oil resistance, excellent compressibility for uneven surfaces. Cork-rubber composites offer improved durability over plain cork.

Common Applications: Valve covers, oil pans, transmission pans, timing covers
Best For: Oil sealing, vibration dampening, irregular mating surfaces

Rubber (Neoprene, Nitrile, EPDM)

Varies: -40°F to 300°F depending on compound

Nitrile (Buna-N) for fuel/oil. Neoprene for general purpose. EPDM for coolant and weathering. Silicone for high heat.

Common Applications: Coolant systems, fuel systems, hydraulic covers, enclosures
Best For: Fluid sealing, weatherstripping, vibration isolation

Felt (Wool or Synthetic)

Up to 200°F (93°C)

Excellent for keeping contaminants out. Can be oil-impregnated for lubrication wicking. Common in older machinery and classic vehicles.

Common Applications: Dust seals, wicking applications, light oil sealing, vintage restorations
Best For: Dust exclusion, shaft seals, heritage equipment

Fiber Reinforced Rubber (FKM/Viton)

Up to 450°F (230°C)

Premium material for demanding applications. Excellent chemical and heat resistance. Higher cost justified for critical sealing.

Common Applications: Exhaust gaskets, high-temp flanges, chemical exposure
Best For: Exhaust systems, aggressive chemicals, sustained high temperatures

Compressed Non-Asbestos (CNA)

Up to 750°F (400°C)

Modern replacement for asbestos gaskets. Aramid or carbon fiber reinforced. Handles extreme heat and pressure cycling.

Common Applications: Exhaust manifolds, turbo flanges, header gaskets, industrial flanges
Best For: Exhaust and turbo applications, steam, industrial pipe flanges

PTFE (Teflon) Sheet

-400°F to 500°F (-240°C to 260°C)

Chemically inert, excellent for acids and solvents. Low friction. Requires higher bolt load due to cold flow.

Common Applications: Chemical processing, food equipment, pharmaceutical, aggressive solvents
Best For: Chemical resistance, FDA-compliant applications, non-stick surfaces

Not sure which material? Tell us the application, operating temperature, and fluids involved. We'll recommend the right material for your sealing requirements.

Common Applications

Automotive & Engines

  • Valve cover gaskets
  • Oil pan gaskets
  • Intake and exhaust manifold gaskets
  • Carburetor base gaskets
  • Water pump gaskets
  • Thermostat housing gaskets
  • Timing cover gaskets
  • Transmission pan gaskets

Industrial & Equipment

  • Pump housings
  • Gearbox covers
  • Hydraulic reservoir lids
  • Compressor heads
  • Heat exchanger flanges
  • Access panel seals
  • Dust and debris exclusion

Custom & Prototype

  • Enclosure sealing
  • Test fixture seals
  • Legacy equipment replacements
  • One-off repairs
  • R&D prototype sealing

What We Need From You

  • DXF or DWG file (preferred), or dimensioned sketch/drawing
  • Material type or operating conditions (temperature, fluids)
  • Thickness requirements
  • Quantity needed
  • Any critical dimensions or tolerances

Don't have a file? Send us an old gasket, a photo with measurements, or even a tracing. We can digitize and cut from physical samples.

Why Laser Cut?

Precision

Tight tolerances on bolt holes and sealing surfaces. No die setup means exact cuts every time, even for complex geometries.

No Tooling Cost

Unlike die-cutting, laser cutting requires no upfront tooling. Economical for prototypes, one-offs, and small batches.

Fast Iteration

Design changes are instant. Update the file and cut again. Perfect for R&D and prototype development cycles.

Any Quantity

From a single replacement gasket to batches of hundreds. Same process, same quality, scaled to your needs.

Material Note

We stock common thicknesses in most materials. Specialty materials or unusual thicknesses may require sourcing and add to lead time. Let us know your requirements early for best turnaround.

Need a Gasket?

Send your file, sketch, or old gasket. We'll quote material options and have your custom gaskets cut and ready fast.