Pump drill for repairing pottery.

Collection type: Object
Description: Pump drill for repairing pottery.
Long description: Pottery-mender's pump drill. Iron drill with wooden flywheel, wooden crossbar, and an iron sheath to protect the point. The ends of the crossbar are attached to the top of the drill with a loop of string.
Geographical reference: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Europe > Northern Europe > United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Cultural groups: English
Person: Maker Unknown Maker; Field collector J. Townsend; PRM source C.F. Tarplett; PRM source Cecil F. Tarplett
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1930-1940
Date collected: 1930 - 1940
Acquisition information: Donated: 04/1985
Materials and processes: Material Iron Metal, Material Wood Plant, Material String, Process Looped, Process Carved, Process Forged (Metal)
Dimensions: Length: max 380 mm, Length: max 183 mm crossbar
Object numbers: Accession number: 1985.13.1
Research and responses: This drill was viewed by Tomas Brown, PhD candidate in History at the University of Cambridge, during a research visit in December 2025. He noted that it is likely a home-made drill, the shaft being a repurposed upholstery needle. The drill has been continuously maintained to retain its point, new iron tips being braised directly onto the shaft by folding flat sheets around its circumference on at least two occasions. The thickness and conical shape of the point – being 3mm diameter 7mm from the tip – is consistent with the cavities used for inserting rivets. The tip being iron, this drill could only have been used for earthenware repairs, porcelain being higher on the Mohs scale.

Search terms: Tool, Pottery, Potter's Tool, Pump Drill

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