Hello MMD.  I've read the recent submissions, (141109 & 141111), with
considerable interest, as my Steck rebuild creeps closer to the setup
and testing stage.  I was relieved to read Paddy Handscombe's comment
that a good pump should pull at least 50 inches of water vacuum, because
that is almost exactly what my recently rebuilt steamboat pump does.

I carried out the last job on the pump the other day, which was
to re-glue the felted horsehair rectangles that cover the exhaust
valves on the each of the six large exhauster pneumatics.  These
rectangles still had some of the original glue stuck to them, and
I decided that soaking them in water would make the glue easier to
remove.  I was aware that the rectangles might shrink so I immersed
just one in hot water in the laundry tub.  Some of the glue came off
and the felt did shrink.  So I went into town and started calling on
carpet retailers.

I struck it lucky on visit number two; a very amiable chap took me
down into their store-room and sawed a lump off a roll of underlay.
It's not horsehair -- I was about 100 years too late for that --
but when I sucked through it, it felt much the same as my un-shrunk
rectangles.  As a bonus, it came off an exhauster on the backside of
the pump, so the only person to know will be the next rebuilder.

However, what is the purpose of these felted rectangles?  I don't
think they are dust filters, because  the air flowing through them is
going out, not in.  If they are noise filters they seem to be only
marginally necessary; I haven't noticed any slapping sounds from the
exhaust valves in my pump.

I wish I could say the same about the electric pump motor.  It is
entirely suspended from leather straps, but still sounds worryingly
loud.  Of course I don't know how it will sound when the player is
finally going.

John Phillips - in Hobart, Tasmania

P.S.  A large number of cruise ships call in to Hobart each year.
If any MMD reader would like to visit us, you will be welcome.
Our local 'phone number is 03 62278324.