Hand Pump Wells .....Deep Dive

Today we will take a VERY close look at hand pump wells. What parts to buy, where to buy them, how to drive the well what pitfalls you might encounter and how to get good clean water with a primitive well.

[@michaelt.9372]

My water table is only 450 feet down. Im going to the hardware store today. I’ll comment again in 3 years to keep you updated on how it’s going.

[@darkenergy361]

@michaelt9372 I’m from the future of three years ahead. I can tell you what happened, but I shouldn’t because it’ll mess up the future.

[@richbrooks9250]

Also consider my gasket tips just posted.

[@kb1807]

Hope you started with pipe from Menard's

[@DoyleShadduck]

Only…mine is only 6 feet..lol

[@michaelt.9372]

@@darkenergy361 I’m 7 months in. Can I get a hint?

[@stevendezwaan5707]

I'm a stocker at a Menards myself and i'm sometimes putting plumbing stuff on the shelves and hooks to be sold. This deep dive will help me answer any questions about this stuff if i'm ever faced with those questions. Thank you Dave.

[@mikeFPS1980]

Just do whatever else does at big box stores just pretend you know what you’re talking about, just sound confident and well spoken and if someone calls you out just tell them “You’re the expert” and that it’s awesome to learn something new!

[@suemckee1598]

@@mikeFPS1980 most of the time they try to explain to me how to do something with what I've bought--I think it is really funny because I'm a retired Journeyman Carpenter.

[@louwysocki5186]

I like the ball valve idea! I have a check valve on mine...and it will freeze shut in the winter. ...and. Sometimes just rip the rubber apart. My well is about 22ft. It's been there for more than 30 yrs. And they sell those pitcher pumps at Menards.,😊

[@MrBigTimeChiller]

I have absolutely zero ambition to make a well but it was fun watching you try, fail, try again, and finally succeed. The process was interesting and I liked seeing how simple the materials are to make a well. Stay radical! 🤘🏻

[@mscattale]

I’ve watched them put in two different wells. Very interesting. I have no need either but I sure do enjoy these videos! 😊

[@backjack5407]

Fr. Just calming, and his nice voice

[@offgridmatt]

Great video, Dave! As always crystal clear explanation of the process and times of redirection. Nice one! Now back to work on my solar system! Peace and love!

[@FPLJCB]

Hey, one day you might. Now you know

[@thegarbagegladiators4735]

*A

[@SanJuanCreole]

Black spruce is bush radical's brother. Another cool channel 🎉

[@cedarrockcabin3633]

Thanks for the tip. I agree, another great channel!

[@Bushradical]

Definitely SUB to Black Spruce. Ryan is always doing something interesting

[@brendakunkel2684]

So I was watching one of Bushradicals older videos on building a cabin and low and behold, another channel was recommended to me to watch, and it was Black Spruce. I watched it and enjoyed watching him build a cabin, but there was someone familiar helping him in the back ground. I thought, that guy looks a lot like Dave. He kept calling him his brother. So, long story short, I’m Black Spruce new subscriber.🎉

[@morocho1092]

Another good one is his wife's channel...Girl in the Woods

[@cedarrockcabin3633]

@@morocho1092 yes!! I follow her, too!!

[@kevincrooks639]

Great video, Dave. I grew up in a hardware store and we sold all that stuff for sandpoints. Dont know how many pump leathers i sold growing up. The old timers were always amazed when my little sis could tell them why their wells werent pumping. She went on to get a masters in geology. Your tutorial covers this subject perfectly.

[@elainehood6987]

Growing up in oxberry Miss we had a pump just like that. We always had to make sure to save water in one bucket so we could prime the pump..we also had an outhouse..I was 7.. now I’m 70

[@hamil4fb]

Appreciate these videos where you work through the challenges bound to occur. Better than the polished vids on other channels that edit out the realities of these projects. If Dave has some struggles, I can cut myself some slack

[@georgehiebert7470]

Where can I buy one

[@dandarling5990]

At my cabin in Northern lower Michigan. I drove a sand point with no water at 24 foot. Instead of pulling I drove through a hard clay layer, 1/8 inch per hit at times. After 3 foot of hard driving it poked into water sand. Total well depth 34 foot. Hand pump does in fact pump it, extra effort is needed on handle, and I wear out leather cups once a year. I like the ball valve idea! I used brass check valve. Great informative video! Thanks!

[@tommak6516]

In the winter, below freezing, how do you drain the pipe? Otherwise would it not freeze and burst?

[@poppysplace6572]

@@tommak6516 Check and Bleeder Valve

[@RunningWithSauce]

Holy shizzzz. This is interesting to me I'm in the Twin Cities, Minnesota so mid state. I drove 14 feet down and hit hard clay. I know a retired professional well digger who insisted since I hit hard pack clay I could not drill deeper as no sand would be below the clay and the point would be clogged with clay anyway. I drove to 17 feet and gave up. Also was told anything below 20 feet is futile for a hand pump. This is reassuring as I had given up. I did pull the sand point and it was very beat up and definitely clogged. Did you jet it to clear the clay?

[@dandarling5990]

@@RunningWithSauce Once in water, you cannot fill the pipe with water. If pipe holds water you're not in water. The gravity pressure of the water poured in pushes clay off point.

[@nevermind-wp3bf]

​​@@criticaleventYou can do what I did. You stick a 1/2 inches pipe in the 5/4 inches pipe AND build (in my case) or buy in that 1/2 inches pipe a valve with glass ball. Than you will be able to pull water from that well, BUT NO MORE THAN 2 LITTERS in 3 or 5 minutes which is needed for the well to refill and it depends on the spring debit down bellow. The 1 metter (hight with holes) and 5/4 inches pipe (cillinder) can't hold more than 1 litter of water in volume (it's a simply volume geometry math computation), than will have to refill again. The water it will allways be sandy (muddy). At least that is the case in my "well". I am still waiting for the sediments to settle... Maybe they will never do... who knows? The good part is that you can deposite that sandy mud and search for gold in it. 😂

[@DannyCreech]

Dave, thanks for not giving up on KZbin videos. We enjoy watching you do whatever it is you are currently working on. Don't stress over "Is this decent content or not." Just keep putting yourself out there and we will keep watching. Personally, I think you should be the next Motel 6 voice guy. You and Tom Bodett have such great voices. My other notable favorite is Morgan Freeman. BTW, this video did answer a couple of questions I have had about this type of well even though I have watched your other well videos. So, thanks!

[@ryanlong1]

The log/wrench combo was genius!

[@larryboschen1287]

Thanks, Dave. Great tips.

[@jwellsntr]

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this!

[@cherylmartin4050]

That was cool. Thanks Dave!

[@jljones2270]

Thanks for sharing

[@anthonyhalderman9624]

Great info here. Thanks!

[@markmonroe7330]

Excellent video. Thanks Dave.

[@harmyjim2]

A deep dive from Dave, can't go wrong with this advice. Thanks.

[@GlennH917]

Great video Dave, I love the longer content! Keep them coming, they’re relaxing to watch and watchable over and over!

[@davidsmathers5621]

That was awesome tks Dave

[@elsathal7359]

Thank you for sharing ✌️💞🤟

[@joshuakeegwell2896]

Well done Dave. Well done. Cheers

[@01splitpea]

Extremely worthwhile, concise video. Thank you, Dave Whipple. Well done.

[@gotdangedcommiesitellyahwa6298]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@up-2date]

Dave, you are an authentic and genuine man. Thank you for these videos we can refer to just in case.

[@springgoodhart8676]

Thanks for all the details!

[@chrism9037]

Very good video, thanks Dave!

[@alancummings5651]

Excellent instructions

[@bobjones9727]

Great video Dave. Keep them up...as usual. We love them

[@jeffersonspace]

Love these instructional videos Dave. All the best to you and family.

[@ronhart8857]

Great job explaining how to install a hand driven water pump! Love the channel.

[@bradprice9268]

Best off grid well video I've seen thanks 👍 learned a lot

[@bradleyjameslease6138]

Thanks for your time, great video. Happy father's day

[@Miss.Libby.]

I will probably never have to drill a well, but your instructional video was very interesting Dave. I always learn something new when I watch your channel. Thanks for more great viewing. Cheers from Australia 👏🏻🇦🇺🦘

[@Bushradical]

Thanks 👍

[@judyschepp8748]

Great comment Ms. Libby,👍👍 I totally agree!!!😍😊🥰🤗

[@solarcabin]

Off grid 20+ years and hand drove my own well but be aware that a driven will is less than 25 feet deep and water tables vary a lot through the year and you may get contaminated water from surface infiltration. Always have the water tested and use a good filter. The easiest way to drive one is with a 3 foot fence post driver or if you have access to a backhoe with a bucket you can use the bucket and weight of the tractor to drive them in. Most driven wells fail so unless you know for sure there is water at 25 feet you are probably wasting your money.

[@Cowboy340]

Excellent Dave, thank you for the detailed info that can either make or break a project. Specifics were perfect!

[@travisandmissydog]

Thank you for posting this Dave! Good info that is very well laid out, you are a good teacher for sure Brother!

[@jeffplant3]

Have watched all of you well making videos. Could watch all day long. Well done. Great problem solving

[@miketyler4536]

I think the well drilling vids are some of my favorites that you do. I have probably watched them over and over again at least 6 times each and have shared them with as many people as I know that have interest in that

[@tracieperez2629]

Thanks for always sharing thoughtful and useful videos!

[@michaelfrias5005]

Thanks Dave! Great video as always!

[@user-ss7qy2pq2m]

At the end that water was crystal clear. Good job!

[@Benjamin1991100]

Man i love your videos so much! Please don't stop making them. Something so enjoyable about the way you explain what you're doing.

[@jacktaylor1030]

I watched my Grandfather, my Dad, an Uncle, and a few others drive a well 120 feet in Michigan, and they worked their Asses off. I was really young, and don't remember a ot about it, except it took a lot of summer weekends to get it done. Yes my Grand parents were some early homesteaders back in the day. They owned seven acres in an area called Texas Corners in Michigan, and they grew some of the best tasting vegetables I've ever eaten. They grew some Christmas trees, that are probably a hundred feet tall now. It was such a wonderful place to visit as a kid, They also had two long row of Raspberries that we spent many a day harvesting when they were ripe Yes we were child slave laborers used against are will when we were young. Of course we ended up eating most of what we picked back then. They remind me of you, as my Grandparents were always buying and fixing up Michigan properties, in the lower, and upper parts of Michigan. The saddest day happened when some drunk teenager rammed my Grandfather in a head on collision, which cut short many of the joys they once had building places all over Michigan.

[@TheZombiePossum]

Great video as always, Dave. Really enjoying the deep dives.

[@MHPloni-kl5ec]

Excellent job, Dave!

[@waterislife.9204]

Thanks for the tips.

[@christiansnyder8761]

Thanks Dave!

[@KRscience]

This was quite enjoyable to watch. Few things are more important to a homestead than a clean, reliable source of water.

[@robbender4129]

Ya know Dave...that was an awesome video for any of us that are gonna sink a Sandpoint...I've never sunk one but have friends who have them at their camp and they all see to love them for their water supply...very informative and you yo thru each step thoroughly...well done...take care ✌️

[@brucepelish9651]

you do an excellent job of teaching...very easy to understand.Thank you

[@bmoore3199]

Your narration is excellent Dave. Thanks for sharing the good and the not as good. Have a great week.

[@philcatorio630]

Hello Dave: thank you for taking us through the install of a hand water pump. After watching this I might install one but this is going to be on the back burner, but I now know how. A big thank you for this video. Keep safe and have a great day.

[@hippyhebrewhomestead8593]

Thank you Dave you helped me trouble shoot an issue I’d been having with my sand point. Drove it deeper and now I’m good

[@josephneratko2896]

Thanks for the thoughtful step by step

[@vastspaces]

I appreciate your informative, modest, low-key, perspective. I'm learning a lot and I'm always more curious at the end of one of your videos.

[@debrasaints3809]

Yay! I just got finished watching Brooke’s new video! I look forward to your videos and learn so much from both of you. I hope to see many videos this summer from y’all in Alaska! I also can’t wait to see your son’s new adventure as well! I love your family! Blessings ❤️

[@jeanettanorton5646]

Love all your videos 😊😍. Great information 😁. Thanks for sharing this with me. Hello from Indiana USA and this 62 year old lady.

[@roseshafer258]

At my age, I will not be drilling a well, but I love the way you teach. Nice video Dave

[@fredhart3984]

Excellent- best sand point well installation I have seen! Great job 👏🏼

[@angusmcnaughton4570]

Thanks Dave ! Good to see one that works ! Radical 👊

[@WisconsinWanderer]

That’s a good idea with the ball valve to keep things primed thanks Dave 😊

[@patrickc.allenlive4373]

Sounds like you know plenty water stuff. Thanks for the great show! Excellent.

[@fuzzyfultz]

Great video. Thank you Dave. Being radical is awesome.

[@michaeljourneysr.8243]

Another great "lesson", something we all might need to know!! Never miss a video...THANKS!!!

[@CapnPicard]

dude,. this video was AMAZING! Thank you. This is now on my bucket list.

[@harvmac69]

Good video Dave! Thanks for the info!!

[@tinam5330]

That was Great! Thank you. 😊

[@bobjoncas2814]

GOOD ADVICE, KEEP SAFE AND WELL...

[@StevenBrown-mm2kd]

Great information. Thank you!

[@werewolfonwheels]

Great video, Dave. I love that your videos make these things approachable to average poeple if you're willing to put in the work.

[@estherclawson6876]

I will try to remember a funnel to aim for on any wells i put in on my future homestead. Thanks for the video.

[@paulmars3607]

Hi Dave, just wanted to say that you and Brooke are my two favorite outdoors people, you both make me want to get outside and GET HAPPY!!!!

[@scottsmith6846]

Hey Dave thank you for the video very good information

[@carlgray4556]

The video was very informative, but above that, your attitude is inspirational. Thanks for another great video.

[@robertgriffin7569]

Thanx Dave...great comprehensive video..awesome. ✌️❤️😁

[@jmar665]

You did a fantastic solo job installing that well. I learned a lot. Another important job done to perfection. God bless.

[@joylynnburkhardt3202]

That was very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@inthekitchenwithangelalee]

Im saving up and praying to be able to homestead soon. Thank you for the instructions!

[@plj4all869]

Hi Dave, Something that I think you might have mentioned is that I know you use outhouses at your cabins and lots of other people do too. So the well should be as far away from the outhouse and also preferably upslope. I work for civil engineers and I don't really know about shallow wells but deep ones are always at least 50' from a septic system.

[@cletushatfield8817]

Hopefully they use a composting crapper. Far better than an outhouse, septic, or city flusher.

[@mattdg1981]

Code for new wells is 100' from any septic system.

[@adamwetzel6503]

Thanks for the videos Dave! I've watched all of yours, brook's and Ryan's cabin building videos like 10 times each. Can't wait to see the inside of your last cabin when you get it done. God bless you and your family.

[@shalomhachat1609]

הכל נכון גם אצלי בישראל. תודה דייויד

[@therealgirlinthewoods]

me too lol

[@teresaholland4790]

Excellent advice ❤

[@saraaponte9975]

I love all your teachings they are clear and to the point God continue to bless you and Brooke. I watch all your programs and I am a subscriber

[@tomdonahue8110]

A great video with a lot of helpful information. You cover things things that other well videos failed to mention. Thank you for sharing.

[@jamesschaeffer1770]

Love it! Excellent how-to video, Dave!

[@michaelpalosaari9460]

Another outstanding, and for me, entertaining video. Thank you!

[@danielbonner667]

Dave, I love that I am not the only person that puts things together, only to find out it's upside down. lol..thanks for doing real videos. Love the honesty in all you do. Great work

[@GirdHerd]

I really enjoyed that, Dave.

[@waynenorton-se9vs]

yes you did great job

[@richhoops2413]

I always enjoy and "like" your videos. This was very informative. The tripod build was a real bonus. Thanks

[@HelloMarySmith]

I love these types of videos! Great video Dave!

[@Brette_Caldwell]

I appreciate your knowledge and making these videos. It helps out alot.

[@themueth]

Loving the revisits and deep dives, living in town I don't have a direct use for a well but would love to stick one in the ground eventually, so I'm slowly acquiring the supplies, found a couple of drive couplers on clearance at Lowes the day, now to scroll market place for a pump to restore. Thanks for the info

[@derrickjohnson3279]

Awesome video and excellent explanation of how to drive in a sand point

[@kennethzielinski7295]

Thank you Dave.

[@corneliusbrosnan7556]

Thank you Dave. Truly.

[@cathymaurer6685]

EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thank you so much for this educational video! Hi to Brooke. 👋

[@jameshageman6244]

Fantastic!

[@scottriddle5468]

Man that's great, now I see how it's done. Thanks

[@MrBuckstrang]

Thanks Dave, a real video! Showing your failures is honest! Again thank you for this video! Kudos

[@Ray-Willey]

Wow. This is good to know. I definitely will be doing this on my land.

[@barryharrissz4748]

Thanks for sharing, it totally held my attention the entire video. I fell as though I could do it myself