How to build your own Ram Pump?
Before you can really do much, you've got to go out and buy some stuff. One of those sad facts of many projects. But if you want to build this (and it's a lot of fun to see it work), print out this list and head to the plumbing dept of your hardware store.
Materials for the Pump
Connections Note Read through the instructable and understand all the pipe-fitting connections that will happen before buying materials. The store may not have exactly what you're looking for, and you may have to improvise. I wound up getting some different parts because my local store didn't have the exact parts I was looking for. This usually appears in the form of not having a threaded fitting, but having a smooth pipe connection, or vice versa. Not a problem, you can figure it out.
Installation Materials
courtesy 
Before you can really do much, you've got to go out and buy some stuff. One of those sad facts of many projects. But if you want to build this (and it's a lot of fun to see it work), print out this list and head to the plumbing dept of your hardware store.
Materials for the Pump
- 1-1/4" valve
- 1-1/4" tee (buy two of these)
- 1-1/4" union
- 1-1/4" brass swing check valve
- 1-1/4" spring check valve
- 3/4" tee
- 3/4" valve
- 3/4" union
- 1-1/4" x 3/4" bushing
- 1/4" pipe cock
- 100 psi gauge
- 3/4" x 6" nipple
- 4" x 1-1/4" bushing
- 4" coupling
- 4" x 24" PR160 PVC pipe
- 4" PVC glue cap
- 3/4" x 1/4" bushing
- Short (4') section of 1-1/4" PVC pipe
- Old Bicycle Innertube
Connections Note Read through the instructable and understand all the pipe-fitting connections that will happen before buying materials. The store may not have exactly what you're looking for, and you may have to improvise. I wound up getting some different parts because my local store didn't have the exact parts I was looking for. This usually appears in the form of not having a threaded fitting, but having a smooth pipe connection, or vice versa. Not a problem, you can figure it out.
Installation Materials
- Long section of 1-1/4" PVC ("drive pipe", connects pump to water supply)
- Garden Hose (male end threads into 3/4" union, supplies pumped water)
- Bricks, blocks, rocks to prop up and anchor pump
- Shower Drain assembly (must be able to attach to 1-1/4" pipe, for attaching pipe to water supply)
- PVC Primer (I used Oatey Purple Primer)
- PVC Cement (Oatey again, just what they had)
- Teflon Thread Tape
- Hacksaw
- Measuring Tape
- Clamps
- Pocket Knife
- Lab gloves (keeps the chemicals on the pipe and off your hands)
- Bike Pump (to inflate the innertube)
