Making gaskets.....
Back in the day, and even now, I have no hesitation to make a gasket from whatever is to hand, Cereal packet card is good, as is 6 pack card. My dad showed me how to tap the card against the sharp edge of the casting, producing a perfect cut and a good copy of the genuine article. I was gobsmacked by this make do and mend philosophy, how simple and convenient it was, and used stuff to hand. That was a long time ago.
These days I don't attempt to cut out bolt holes with a drill or blade, but instead tap the dome head of a coach bolt into the card over the hole. Put the bolt in the hole to keep the card in place and tap round the casting with the narrow end of a carpenter's hammer and see your Corn Flake gasket emerge in all its glory.
The cost of a full set of gaskets these days is poor value, so for the odd gasket make your own. Hylomar is still my jointing of choice, but bathroom silicone used sparingly is also OK in the right place.
I doubt whether many folks make their own now, so another skill to be lost.
Swarfy.