The Best Tyre Pumps... in the World?

[Rhyolith]

alpha channel said:

Rhyolith? you sir are dangerous A great first post and some beautiful pumps (I just bought a Kismet Baby, after needing a decent foot pump that will last as long as the ones my father has, though they're a more standard car affair, they're better built with better materials than the rubbish on offer today).

The baby is one of my favourites (and I am not the only one!), its just so cute! I use one as a bike pump just because it fits so well in a backpack, though they most suited to car tyres I think (still a bit heavy to carry). Good find! Pictures?

Edited by Rhyolith on Sunday 27th November 16:56

[Rhyolith]

I would contact Gordon (vintage pump site guy) for the original colours, if anyone knows he does: [e-mail]

I suck at painting things, so tend to just oil them all over for protection and sheen, then leave it at that.

If I had the skills and knowledge with the paints, I would go with the original colour scheme for the pump.

Edited by Rhyolith on Friday 25th November 18:29

[Rhyolith]

silentbrown said:

Kicking the tyres probably gives you an equally accurate reading?

.........

I'm not yet convinced by digital gauges. I suspect it's easy to make a crap gauge with a digital display, lulling you into a false sense of accuracy

I am in no doubt that digital gauges are litte more than a advertising ploy. Honestly I would take some convincing that there is anything in modern foot pumps that is actaully made purely to do the job better.

I actaully doubt old guages are that much more accurate, but they certainly look a hell of a lot better and last way (WAY!) longer.

I recently purchased all the bits to fit a modern industrail (used on compressors) gauge to the hose of a foot pump. Though very chunky and vulnerable to damage I recon its probably the best in terms of accuracy.

Inline Pressure Gauge by Rhyolith, on Flickr

Edited by Rhyolith on Saturday 3rd December 08:38

Edited by Rhyolith on Saturday 3rd December 08:38

[Rhyolith]

RYH64E said:

... a cycle through my parts washer (aka family dishwasher)...

Not sure thats a good idea. Dishwashers are traditionally not good for Brass and Iron...

In terms of washers, 2mm is the ideal according to Gordon, though this might change with the diameter of the washer (larger ones thicker, smaller ones thinner). I used an old shoe, but that was a bit stiff.

I have had so many frustrating evenings trying to get out screws from abused pumps, its is so annoying! Usually when they have been left outside or in a damp shed, I have not choice but to drill out all the screws and replace them with rivets. Its defiantly worth making sure your screwdriver head fits perfectly before applying any amount of force, once it starts shearing thats game over most of the time... thats all I will say

[Rhyolith]

cptsideways said:

A cool addition could be a WW2 pressure gauge as found on Spits & bombers etc, they crop on ebay often enough, I have a Spitfire boost gauge for 15psi but there are others out there.

Just beware they are radioactive! The glow in the dark bits are radon paint, so avoid taking them apart.

Like this

What does that measure the pressure of?

[Rhyolith]

TooMany2cvs said:

3,000+psi sounds a lot for air.

<quick google>

"Tested to 450psi"

I wonder if thats the system the WW2 Kismet masters where used for (like the one at the start of the thread)?

RicksAlfas said:

That Rhyolith really does have a lot to answer for.


I saw a pal of mine on Friday who I haven't seen for a while.
"So, what have you been up to?"
"I've become quite interested in vintage footpumps."

Kismet Junior is one of the ones I want to see, apparently its a smaller kismet master.

I keep on getting out bid on pumps now, what have I done!

RYH64E said:

This is Paragon RAL3013, Tomato Red, I've reordered BS2660 1-025 Crimson/cherry and will mix until I get the shade I want.



Edited to add, it looks much closer to the original shade in the photo, in daylight it's a bit orangey.

Edited by RYH64E on Monday 12th December 19:51

That looks like new!

I have been told to lacquer brass for the best result (and to protect it), but have not got round to investigating that further.

[Rhyolith]

RYH64E said:

I was planning on spraying the brass with a coat of car clear coat lacquer to keep it shiny, I've probably got some in the garage somewhere.

Let me know how that goes, I am nothing slightly dulling of some of my brass pumps already (very slight mind). Trouble is a really suck at painting things, sprayed on otherwise... don't want to ruin them!

[Rhyolith]

RYH64E said:

And finished.

But this is what I actually use to pump up tyres.

Very nice! I really need to learn to paint so I can do that with my pumps, have only attempted it once before... though it came out OK I think it needs to be perfect to look right. Maybe its just becasue I am used to the "aged" look

I would be interested to hear how you think it ranks as a purely practical tool now its in fully operational condition.

[Rhyolith]

gordon-6r186 said:

Hi See

www.vintagepumps.co.uk

The Kismet Duplex master has a number of internal washers and seals and is a bit tricky to overhaul.

Get in touch with Gordon Edwards via this website for any advice.

Yes! Most useful source of information

[Rhyolith]

Thanks Gordon! I would advise anyone interested in these to visit the vintage pump site, if you have not already.

---

Recently Finished cleaning up this beast, the Kismet Garage. Had to replace 2 leather washers and used A LOT of brasso, otherwise was an easy restoration.

Kismet Duplex Garage by Rhyolith, on Flickr

Its basically a giant version of the Kismet Master with the same internal design, which is awesome! It really is huge!

I assume given the name that it was intended for commercial use, or at least somewhere where there was lots of air to be pumped and not the need to move the pump around much (its HEAVY!).

My guess is that this one is from the 1930s.

Kismet Duplex Garage by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Kismet Duplex Garage by Rhyolith, on Flickr

A cool thing about this is that it still has its box, the first one I have found that does!

Kismet Duplex Garage (in box) by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Kismet Duplex Garage (box) by Rhyolith, on Flickr

The ends have the company guarantee on them, I like how it starts with "unlimited" but basically ends up being a 3 year warranty... some things have not changed much

Kismet Duplex Garage (guarentee) by Rhyolith, on Flickr

[Rhyolith]

The thickness depends on the size of the washer. For the large ones at the base of the cylinders I think around 1mm, for the smaller ones less than half that.

Though it sounds to me like your just not soaking them long enough. Put the leather (only cut roughly to shape) in a bowl of luke warm water for at least 12 hours, then clamp (firmly! there should be no crinkles.) and leave for another 12 hours...

Which washer are you having trouble with? The top hat ones (the really tiny ones) require a different technique.

[Rhyolith]

Any luck Ricks?

[Rhyolith]

I have created a group on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/3059145@N22/ There are quite a few pumps pictured here now (including models I didn't know existed!). If anyone has any pump photos they would like to share there is the place

[Rhyolith]

TameRacingDriver said:

I never knew until I read this thread that bicycle pumps are better than foot pumps. I will have to give this a try as I kept my old one even after I sold the bike.

I think thats a matter of opinion... depends which bike pump, which foot pump and what you want them for. I suspect the reason for this perseption of the supeirority of bike pumps comes from comparisions of purely modern offerings all of of which are made cheaply (relative to a kismet) and when compromised to be made cheaply the simplicity of a bike pump fares better than a foot pump.

Edited by Rhyolith on Monday 13th March 13:35

Edited by Rhyolith on Monday 13th March 13:36

[Rhyolith]

RicksAlfas said:

Got some new washers soaking this afternoon.
Will leave them at least overnight this time!

Cool, rember to give them 12 hours to dry after too.

[Rhyolith]

lufbramatt said:

Last week I finally killed my 11 year old Halfords foot pump, a 235/40/18 tyre with a slow puncture was evidently too much for it. perfect excuse to upgrade then :-)

Just won a kismet duplex master for £21 on eBay, needs at least a new hose and valve connector but looking forward to getting stuck in restoring it!

If you do a good job of restoring it you won't ever need another foot pump! While all the brass cylinder pumps I have found have been excellet, I think the kismet master takes the cake as the best of the best.

How has/is the restoration going? (pictures?) Ask if you want to know anything

I just got a monster Kismet compressor from the car boot this morning,will post this up pictures if thr restoration goes well!

[Rhyolith]

lufbramatt said:

I got hold of some hose the right size from work, had some spare in the spray booth, and after watching a Renrut valve connector sell for £18 on eBay I bought a brass clip on one made by Laser that looks the part for a fiver on amazon.

But that's as far as I got before the radiator on my 530i split so have had to rebuild the cooling system on that before I get stuck in to the pump!

I did enquire about a seal set but it was way more than I was prepared to spend so I'm going to have a go at the DIY route first :-)

Edited by lufbramatt on Sunday 18th June 21:38

Thats in good nick by the looks of the things.

What state are the washers in? making new ones is easy if you have the right leather (2mm seems right for most cases, though 1mm is good for the really tiny ones). Feel free to ask if you need to know anything, though I think this thread should have all the info you need!

One thing with the masters is that they have an awful lot of washers hidden in various places, if its leaking then you might have missed one.

Good luck with it

RicksAlfas said:

Thanks.That's a useful link.

+1 been looking for a source of decent new connectors, let me know how it performs. As you say the Renruts go for a lot... though I can vouch that they are very good!

[Rhyolith]

lufbramatt said:

Not sure what its like inside. Haven't had time to get it in bits, but have got the car sorted now so hopefully can find some time to have a look.

It all moves smoothly but no air coming out of the connector, it came from a house clearance, looks like the seller tried to oil it as there is evidence of fresh oil on the cylinder, then when that didn't help stuck it on ebay. He had two, one was Air Ministry but didn't look in as good condition so I went for the "normal" one.

I've found an instruction leaflet online which talks through how to take it to bits, looks slightly complicated but I design model kits for a living so am used to fiddly stuff

Its probably the leather washers.

This might be helpful to you:
Kismet Master Duplex Air Ministry (dismantled) by Rhyolith, on Flickr

caelite said:

Since this thread has been revived again.

Still got my Michelin double barrel, best part of 2 and a half years of frequent use and it is fully functional.

Only 71 years to go to match the pump at the start of the thread! For that kind of life span maintainability is as important as build quality, Kismet's are excellent in both regards...I don't actually know much about the maintainability of the modern Michelin pumps, but I get the impression its not great? I find most modern products are hard to take apart and even harder to find spares for.

Edited by Rhyolith on Sunday 2nd July 13:28

[Rhyolith]

Its been a while, so thought I'd post a few of my latest pump restorations.

First a pre-WW2 (I think) Kismet Duplex Master I found in at the car boot in remarkably good condition, still had most of its original paint! The pictures show before and after the Restoration (which was mostly just cleaning and a few washer replacements).

Before:
Kismet Duplex Master by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Kismet Duplex Master by Rhyolith, on Flickr\

After:
Kismet Duplex Master by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Kismet Duplex Master by Rhyolith, on Flickr

I documented my dismantling of this one step by step with photographs, they are in order in this album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rhyolith/albums/7215...
Hopefully that will be useful to anyone thinking of doing up one of these.

I also finally 'finished' my Hattersley and Davidson Multistage, which is arguable the prettiest foot pump ever made!

Hattersely &amp; Davidson Multistage by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Hattersely &amp; Davidson Multistage by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Hattersely &amp; Davidson Multistage by Rhyolith, on Flickr
Hattersely &amp; Davidson Multistage by Rhyolith, on Flickr

It still leaks though... blinking top hat washers are a nightmare! Think it will need a lot of tinkering to become truly fully operation, but it does pump air now at least!

[Rhyolith]

loose cannon said:

In the 1965 halfords catalogue thread there is a kismet baby advertised if nobody had noticed

Link? Its a big forum!
Edit: Found it: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Stacking disc washers is the method I used, I just haven't mastered it yet. I usually get them too loose or too tight, the first in the case of the multistage. I just need to ticker a bit and get them fitting right.

I have a dunlop giant which I restored a while back and currently serves as my main "working" pump in the van

Some are Big, some are Giant! by Rhyolith, on Flickr

I'd agree the design is a effective simplification of the 2-stage concept used in the masters, much easier to maintain! Its a shame theres not a smaller version of this type... least not that I am aware of?

I have a WAD that I think is 2 stage No.26 model. It works perfectly, so I have never dismantled it! Though you made me curious now, might have a look inside it! Now I think back, I think this might well have been my first brass cylinder pump!

Walter &amp; Dodson Foot Pump by Rhyolith, on Flickr

I saw one of those type of kismet masters on eBay a while ago! I bid on it because I liked the nameplate on the cylinder and that it was different... however it went for money I couldn't afford at the time. Now I know why! Thanks for sharing.

Edited by Rhyolith on Friday 15th December 19:06

Edited by Rhyolith on Friday 15th December 19:07

Edited by Rhyolith on Saturday 16th December 12:16