While I make progress on my Butler blowlamp, realising I have another doz or so paraffin items to be brought back to working order I am going to need some leather (for pump washers) and cork (not Viton) for non return valves. Cork... are there different qualities of cork and would 3mm be a good all rounder ? Leather... would 2mm be ok and would leather from an old pair of trainers / shoes be ok or should I find a different quality / source ?
Regarding cork, it needs to be natural cork. Not cork made from compressed pieces chemically bonded together. New leather is better, but pump cups can be made from shoe leather provided it hasn't rotted.
I have quite a few offcuts of top grain upholstery leather*- what's called "russet" in the trade(i.e. undyed and unfinished). Looks about the right thickness for pump leathers. PM me and I'll post you a bit. * back in the day I worked as a cutter for a firm that made bespoke leather furniture, and salvaged some waste pieces when I left.
