For the square packing in cylinders, a diagonally cut with a shallow angle works best. For gland packing, one alternative is string soaked in grease. (Preferably graphite grease.) Not as effective as the proper stuff, but can get one out of a problem. Alan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric Walker" <eric@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 10:49 PM Subject: [modeleng] Re: Soft Packing Make PTFE cord with twisted tape, good for gland packing, lasts forever. E.W. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 266.7.2 - Release Date: 11/03/2005 MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.