Example:
I have an aircompressor that constantly blows the gasket between the reed body and the head. This gasket has a long run of narrow material seperating the chamber with the high pressure fluid leaving the exhaust reeds and the low pressure fluid being pushed into the intake reeds. (yes that is right, remember, the current theory is that atmospheric pressure pushes air into the suction side of a normally aspirated device).
Well, it happened again and I had no replacement gasket nor material. I needed the compressor. So I searched high and low in my garage, literally, you would have to see it to understand. Then I had got a flash of an idea from something I spotted. I applied three layers of that thick aluminum duct tape one after the other to the top of reed body. Next I took an exacto knife and cut away the unwanted areas. It cut easier than any gasket paper or material I ever worked with, .. and it stuck to the reed body while I trimmed it nicely. I assembled it, ... and it is still running..... and running...and running!