[SEL] OT Water pump leathers for the piston

[Steve W.]

Ron Frost wrote:
> Morning group, I have an old piston type water pump that I want to
> restore and drive it with my Sattley engine. I need the piston
> packing or leathers or cups or rings or what ever one would call
> them. The leather is in the shape of a dish with a hole in the middle
> where the rod goes. The dia is roughly 1". My question is, Where can
> I find them?
> 
> Ron Frost http://picasaweb.google.com/ronfrost217/MyPhotos
> 
> Collector of other peoples cultured merchandise
> 
Lehmans Non-Electric carries them. So do many of the old Agway stores
and some GOOD hardware stores have them as well.

Failing that you can easily make them.

Get a chunk of SMOOTH pipe with the same bore as your pump. (I use PVC
or copper if possible)
Now make a wood plug that will fit tightly into the pipe with a layer of
WET leather around it (use tanned leather with the smooth side IN toward
the plug, and round the edge of the plug so it doesn't tear the leather.

Now to form the piston you cut a circle out of the leather that is
larger than the piston you need by 1/2-3/4" SOAK it in warm water for a
couple hours. Soak the wooden plug a bit as well you don't want it
acting like a sponge when it hits the leather. Now center the leather
over the pipe and force the plug into the leather/pipe. Let it set a day
or two in a warm location to dry and the leather will set in the shape
of the pipe bore and the nose of the plug.

Once dry the leather will shrink a bit and the plug will as well
allowing you to remove them from the form. Punch the hole in the middle
and install.

-- 
Steve Williams
Firefighter, EMT, Fire Police
Van Hornesville Vol. Fire Dept