Obscure Pump Parts

[Manateeman]

We are rebuilding a head and we’re surprised to learn how leather parts can be made DIY. There are a number of fine old pump for which the leather cups are available. All you need is some vegetable tanned leather and a simple press.
There is a video at HTScongo titled making pumps leather cups.
The leather can be softened by hot water mixed with leather conditioner or by hot paraffin. Neatsfoot oil will keep the leather in nice shape.
There are several sources for off the shelf cups For example, four, 4” cups from CW Marsh were $33 each for my WC Skipper head. Dean Bennett Supply had them for $18 each ! Leather has a lot of advantages in low pressure pumps.
Leather press molding opens the door for some great custom tool holders and with a few simple leather tools and a speedy sticker, you can have a perfect knife and marlin spike sheath.
We need to make a perfect fit, joker valve rather than adapt one. We were thinking someone knows how to cast something like this in silicone but could not find any info for DIY. Anyone familiar with how to do this...please comment.
Lastly, yes we know the skin of manatees were tanned and used by Native Americans long ago. They were sacred animals then and no jokes please.
Manatee, alligator and turtle were foods of last resort if hurricanes destroyed crops and game was very scarce.
Well, looking forward to more DIY methods to make parts.
Happy trails to you.
Mark and the manatee crew.