Mini-Ram

By Staff
Published on September 1, 1995
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4921 Lowhill Church Road New Tripoli, Pennsylvania 18066

After acquiring an interest in the operation of water rams, I
started collecting and displaying them at local engine and tractor
shows.

I have always wanted a working ram to display at shows, but the
bulkiness of a full size display, plus the problems associated with
returning the water used to operate the ram back to its supply, was
more hassle than I cared to bother with.

On the other hand, I thought that a small version or model of a
water ram, built to scale, would be an interesting challenge to
undertake.

I decided to make a miniature ram model that would operate at
table top level. I knew that a display such as this would pique the
interest of visitors and demonstrators alike.

I made my Mini-Ram almost entirely on my small lathe and drill
press. A friend of mine offered me the use of his Bridgeport
milling machine. This made it easier to machine the base, but the
ram could have been built entirely in my meager workshop.

My ram was made entirely out of bar stock, so there were no
expensive castings to purchase. The air chamber and impetus valve
are made of brass, and the base is a piece of cast iron.

When setting up my ram to operate, I use a inch diameter drive
pipe with a length of nine feet, and a fall of two feet. The ram
cycles at approximately 25 times per minute, and the waste water
(the water used to operate the ram) amounts to approximately one
pint per minute. A simple and inexpensive 12 volt boat bilge pump
returns this waste water back to the supply tank with no
problem.

In the 1995 season, I intend to display at engine shows that I
regularly attend throughout Pennsylvania. I hope for a lot of
interesting comments on this new addition to my display booth.

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