Posted by John Swensen on February 11, 2002 at 13:35:18:
In Reply to: Cork for valves posted by Justin Beish on February 11, 2002 at 00:08:59:
Phillip Farkas suggested using champagne corks; after trimming a piece slightly oversize for the hole in the stop plate, "chew" it gently to wet and compress it, then quickly push it into the hole and trim for correct height and thickness, using a razor blade.
You can, also, get your round cork stock from Ferree's, as many of us have. The chewing works to get a tight-fitting cork (which you want) into the hole.
Alternatively, you can get some O-ring stock (either nitrile or neoprene rubber) and cut your own; these don't crumble and fall apart like some corks do. If you buy (or beg) a large-diameter O-ring with an appropriate cross-section (O-ring name for the diameter of the round rubber making up the ring), you can cut lots of bumpers using a razor blade. Round vacuum-cleaner belts have been suggested as an alternative for those who don't live near industrial supply places (typically bearing shops) that carry O-rings.