BBC Flog It item

Yesterday I caught the end of this program where an 'expert' was examining an old model twin cylinder reversable marine steam engine which he told the owner was a driver's airpump. The dual excentrics and reversing quodrant gear was clearly visable and I could not see how this could be applied to an airpump even if there was such a thing as a steam driven diver's airpump. It was stated that the program had never befor delt with such an article - clearly!

Tony

It certainly was not the compressor that they said it was and even if it were you would need to spin it at one hell of a speed to produce enough air for diving. I think the guy who owned it probably new more than the "experts" and that is why he upped the reserve. Not a bad price for the steam engine.

Jason how much did it go for,I missed it due to phone call. Some of the so called experts are not very good and it becomes obvious when items like this engine come up,I just wonder when the experts start spouting on other subjects where my knowledge is limited how good they really are.

He upped the reserve from £100 to £150 and it went for £180. Even the auction listing still had it as a compressor so thats more than one who did not know their stuff.

Just had bargain hunt on while eating lunch and there was a watchmakers lathe behind the auctioneer when he was giving his verdict on the items

On BBC iplayer 30mins in

Edited By JasonB on 28/02/2023 13:17:10

ref flog It item sold for £180.00 divers air pump?

Do you know which episode it featured in Jason ?

My link takes you to the right episode which is series 17, episode 13. Should be the big image at the top of the page

Don't think you would have been wanting to use that when you were diving Ramon, particularly if the reversing gear made it suck!

I think the large hand wheel on the reverser may have made the "expert" thing it was a model of a hand driven air pump.

Edited By JasonB on 28/02/2023 18:58:04

Thanks Jason, I'd been looking at the first of the thumbnails.

Yep looks like someone really knows what he's talking about

Why on earth would you want a reverser on a pump !

Though all my diving was done on compressed gas - air from a compressor or bottled helium, I did once get the chance to experience diving on a man powered air pump. Very strange as you hear each stroke and the atmosphere smells of neats foot oil. Any ex Navy diver on here of similar age would know too I guess. The deeper you went the more men required to keep the pump powered!!

No definitely not a model of a divers air pump!

Best - R

Sometimes the ignorance displayed on TV is amazing.

Sadly, no more Fred Dibnah or others who knew what they were talking about.

A sign of the lack of respect for, and knowledge of, practical skills.

Rant over

Howard