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View Full Version : The humble, yet mighty Pump Drill!



Dr. Gonzo GED
03-20-2011, 05:52 AM
Anybody ever play with one of these? An ancient and very efficient tool for drilling, or for fire starting.

Simple to build, and powered by hand, this machine is perfect for periods of extended power loss. It can even accept modern drill bits with the addition of a chuck. Leave the wood bare, and it starts "caveman" fires even better than a bow drill.

Here's a little article about it:

http://www.historicalfolktoys.com/catcont/6007.html

Figure one of these would be worth it's weight in gold to a person who's about to run out of safety matches, or even just for basic fabrication work when there's no power. And anyone with two brain cells to rub together could make one from junk. Enjoy! :)

O.S.O.K.
03-20-2011, 11:23 AM
Cool. Found this short vid of one in use:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bp3zO-BGbs&feature=player_embedded

Dr. Gonzo GED
03-20-2011, 02:38 PM
That' it man! Once you get the rhythm going it actually runs a lot smoother than in the vid. You can get a continuous pump going and drill baby drill!

Now your have the means of power drilling without electricity! This would be a godsend to anybody trying to build things if the grid fails. It also is much easier and less painful than even the bow drill method. No more hand cramps! Stone age ergonomics to the rescue! :D

O.S.O.K.
03-20-2011, 08:10 PM
This would be a good fire starter but I don't think it'd work too well for drilling holes... it would bind up. Maybe very small holes... the thing seems to need some slack to work?

I have an old hand drill and auger set for it - need some more augers though. This is the u-shaped type with round/flat piece on the end to palm while your other hand turns the drill. It allows you to put a lot of pressure down onto the auger if needed.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to puruse the local estate sales and even garage sales for old hand-powered tools... what was that old PBS workshop show - the guy had an old-tyme workshop with a water wheel that powered belts that he hooked different tools up to - like lathes, drill presses and planers, etc. - showed how to utilize joinery like they did in the 1800's - pegs and such. That was a cool show.

Dr. Gonzo GED
03-20-2011, 08:17 PM
It wouldn't be a bad idea to puruse the local estate sales and even garage sales for old hand-powered tools... what was that old PBS workshop show - the guy had an old-tyme workshop with a water wheel that powered belts that he hooked different tools up to - like lathes, drill presses and planers, etc. - showed how to utilize joinery like they did in the 1800's - pegs and such. That was a cool show.
Thanks! I got a personal facination with pre-electric engineering. Well, to be honest, the electric stuff is just as interesting, but you get the idea...

Did that show happen to feature the host building a cabin with all local materials, felled and milled on site with nothing but hand tools?

HDR
03-21-2011, 03:00 PM
In colonial America they used augers, gimlets, and bit stocks (braces)

http://www.ehow.com/list_6521282_colonial-building-tools.html

Burn augers were also used.

Dr. Gonzo GED
03-21-2011, 05:19 PM
In colonial America they used augers, gimlets, and bit stocks (braces)

http://www.ehow.com/list_6521282_colonial-building-tools.html

Burn augers were also used.
I love all that stuff. Built to last generations. What really blows my mind is the incredible precision carpenters of the day were able to achieve with such tools. The furniture and architecture from that era still stands out for quality of workmanship.

HDR
03-23-2011, 08:10 PM
I love all that stuff. Built to last generations. What really blows my mind is the incredible precision carpenters of the day were able to achieve with such tools. The furniture and architecture from that era still stands out for quality of workmanship.

They were truly craftsman. I saw an early 1800s sugar chest; it was a beautiful and the joinery was almost perfect.

I have a ceramic jug which deformed during the firing. As they usually broke seconds back then; it is a rare piece.

O.S.O.K.
03-24-2011, 08:06 PM
Thanks! I got a personal facination with pre-electric engineering. Well, to be honest, the electric stuff is just as interesting, but you get the idea...

Did that show happen to feature the host building a cabin with all local materials, felled and milled on site with nothing but hand tools?

Yes, I believe so. The host was a period-looking guy. Each episode was a different project or a continuation of one. He used hand tools and the water-powered, belt drive tools.

O.S.O.K.
03-24-2011, 08:12 PM
Ah - found it. http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/

Dr. Gonzo GED
03-25-2011, 09:03 PM
Ah - found it. http://www.pbs.org/woodwrightsshop/
Awesome! Thanks man!

O.S.O.K.
03-26-2011, 11:38 AM
NP - he is currently in his 30th year and still making new episodes - I never watch PBS anymore... but I'm going to have to check this again.