Dave Young has been as industrious as ever, pattern making, overhauling components and assisting with a number of key projects including a pump for the Steam Mule, and a pump for it to drive, a quantity of brass handwheels (to replace modern variants that come on purchased fittings and to my mind can ruin a good restoration!) and work on the Ruston portable. He also has a new 12 month programme of work associated with Lewin so we will keep him busy! Now is a good time to record our thanks for the considerable and highly skilled work Dave has done for us and continues to produce from his superb home workshop.

Below: Handwheels – prior to finishing. Some are for the Steam Mule, others are for stock. The foundry cast a supply for stock too so there are plenty around to ensure we can replace the modern plastic coated variants generally supplied today.

Below: During the overhaul of the American built three ram pump, to be belt driven from the Steam Mule (another technique important in our training), Dave needed to re-metal various bearings. In order to do this, he created jigs and mounts in order to cast the white-metal (which has a high lead content and therefore melts at relatively low temperatures). Here is the crankshaft end of the pump ram connecting rod (there are three) being prepared.

Below: The same component with the insert for moulding fitted in place…

Below: … and sealed with putty.

Below: This is another set of bearings, showing a more complicated arrangement and using a temporary shaft as part of the process. Note the white putty.

Below: Dave melts an ingot of whitemetal in his home-foundry (!), using a small crucible in the process.

Below: First pour, into the more complicated arrangement (with the temporary shaft). The frame of the pump itself is the grey casting visible, placed on its side.

Below: Pouring for the other bearing at the other end of the shaft.

Below: The connecting rod bearings after cooling and separation. Final dressing and scraping in (if needed) to follow.

Below: The crankshaft of the pump was very badly pitted.

Below: To remove the pitting, Dave turned down the shaft and made a sleeve (seen to the right) that fitted over the now smaller shaft.

Below: The near completed pump. The remetalled bearings are where the three brass oil pots and two steel stauffers can be seen. The frame upon which the pump will be mounted is the next job, as well as a water container to allow circulation and by-pass features to be incorporated. There is some thought we might contrive to power a small water fountain at steam events using the finished machinery!