Pump Leather

no.1

We use a small pitcher pump like this one to pump water from a cistern. It is a inexpensive pump for jobs like that. It is made entirely from cast iron with the exception of one part, the pump leather. Amazingly enough the pump leather is made of...wait for it.. leather! So, we have a piece of wet leather rubbing up and down in a cast iron cylinder, needless to say ,this part needs replacement every so often.Replacing it is a relativity easy job, the entire top is held on by one big set screw. Loosen that up and the assembly shown in the pic comes right off. The piston portion of this is easily removed by simply turning the piston shaft so that the handle is disconnected and then pulling it down through the cap.

This pic shows the piston portion taken apart. Right to left you have the piston with the shaft,the intake valve, the old pump leather, and the pump leather retainer. This retainer is threaded into the bottom of the piston and removing it is the most difficult part of the job. I clamp the piston in a vise and use a hammer and punch to gently tap it until it loosens. If you have another pump leather you now place it on the piston, slide the intake valve back in place, and screw the retainer back on. Note that ,"if you have another pump leather", I didn't.

I did have some nice thick cow hide leather however. That would be that tannish circle in the previous pic.This pic shows that piece of leather placed where you would put the pump leather. To make this into a pump leather it needs to be cup shaped so that as the piston starts to lift the water the side of the cup flare out and create a seal against the sides of the cylinder. Getting the leather to assume that shape is as easy as boiling water.

Once you have a pan of water boiling, immerse the piston with the soon to be pump leather into it. It will soon curl up around the sides of the piston. While it is still hot ,slide it into the pump cylinder and leave it cool.

You should end up with something like this, a pump leather! Please note, it WILL NOT  last as long as a bought pump leather.It will also not cost you $12.00 which is what they want for one at the only place around here that has them and is 50 miles away.