Trying to remove and replace gasket on Svea 105. Took a torch to it a little...seemed to have no effect. Been picking at it with dental tool....and slowly picking my way through it. Worried that the dental tool could damage the brass under the gasket. Trying to scrape the gasket off rather than digging into it to prevent damage to stove Concerned that it will be hard to know when I have gone through the gasket and I am scraping at the brass of the stove as the gasket is very dense and/or really stuck to the stove. Do I need to be concerned about getting every bit of gasket off..or getting gasket AND a bit of stove scraped? Any thoughts on this? Is there a better way? Thank you
That gasket appears to be asbestos so a torch probably isn't going to work. A dental pick worked carefully is a good option. If you're worried about scarring you could gets some brass rod and sharpen it to a chisel point and go from there. A brass wire wheel inside a dremel is another fix. If you you get it mostly removed that should be good enough. The new gasket will conform over any remaining older gasket. From the picture I'd say it's "good to go" Jerry
If as @Metropolitantrout says, it might be an asbestos containing item, you should take some care when cleaning off the gasket especially if using a power tool that might flick fibres into the air. This advice should not be relied on as 100% correct - please make your own enquiries but do consider wearing a dust mask and vacuum your work area when you're done or do the job in a large clear plastic bag. You can also use oil on the dry material to help dampen down loose fibres if scraping or picking.
Here's a useful thread too! https://classiccampstoves.com/threa...ner-washers-and-fitting-them.8382/#post-83257
@Funfundfunfzig ... thank you for your note... Unfortunately, I was done by the time I say the asbestos info. I wasn't doing much flicking,,,,mostly slow abrasive grinding. After seeing the warning, I did vaccum and change clothes and take a shower. If I am replacing that type of gasket again, I will most definitely take more precautions. Yes, asbestos....bad stuff! thank you ...and thanks for the thread. I bookmarked it. Very useful into for a newbie like me.
No problem! Didn't mean to scare you! The problem with asbestos is that you could be exposed to asbestos containing materials and never see a problem but if you happen to inhale a loose fibre (and they're quite small) it could get into your lungs and cause problems. Generally in gaskets there are binders and resins holding them together but it's best to play it safe especially with older stuff - safer to assume it's there and take precautions.
I appreciate the info. Asbestos was used in so many things when I was a kid, I am quite sure that I have had some exposure as have most folks. Just smart to do what you can to avoid exposure. Now I know, some of the gaskets may contain asbestos. In the future, I will definitely remove gaskets with better precautions. thank you...
@cottage hill bill ...thank you. I am new to repairing these old beautiful stoves. CCS is amazing! Such nice folk with so much good information to share.
It is my understanding that the asbestos problems are most frequently seen in folks with exposure over long period of time..example work with the material in their job and the effect is usually seen years later.
@NW Lady Containment of the asbestos fiber can be done by warming the area up and melting a birthday candle on to the gasket and allow to cool, re apply wax to contain the fibers as needed to remove the gasket. A hot glue gun will work also.
Mesothelioma is not nice to us, so to err on caution would be wise. We recently lost a member to it, so I am sure this may be touchy to some other members. Courtesy may be rewarded here. Ken in NC
A lady I worked with the last 11.5 years lost her dad this summer. Smoking for years and around ship yards in his younger days. He went around with a oxygen tank the last few years. Duane
We live in the asbestos capitol of the world it seems, EPA has been cleaning us up for years. The folks that know say that ONE fiber is enough to potentially cause problems. And that folks who smoke are way more likely to have problems with it.
