@ChaplainCorey You're correct. There is a lot to pipe restorations, but that's why you start with cheapo pipes. Here's the main problem. Used pipes come to you, and each one has its own unique demands. You can't just fit one technique to every pipe that comes across your bench. Without going into great detail, those different techniques and demands require scrutiny on your part to figure out the best possible approach in order to get the best results given the condition of the pipe. Also, stummel work and stem work are 2 different worlds. It is not unusual to spend more time and work on stems than the stummel. Here's a great YouTube channel for learning some basics in restorations: "The Complete Bare Pipe". That one has all of his 48 videos. He does quite a bit on a "shoe string" allowance. If nothing else, you can get a better idea if this is something you would like to get into. You are correct, IMHO, it is very therapeutic, relaxing and rewarding... not to mention challenging.
By the way, these pics are not, nor are they intended to be instructional in any way. I plod along and learn as I go just like the rest of you. I just know I enjoy seeing other people's pipe work, and so I thought you might too...
A REALLY cheap pipe that came with a lot. Decided to experiment and did a carving along with rusticating. Just for the fun of it... Don't know if the pics will show the carvings or not, but here it is... Also, the stem was drilled off center, so I drilled and put a small yellow dot to know which way the stem lined up.
@Kmhartle Tnx buddy... I just leave this one out in the garage for when the mood strikes me for a half a bowl. That way I don't have to track through the house for a pipe...
Started the cleaning process on a estate meerschaum I'm restoring for a family. These are the before photos.
It has an acrylic fitting you partially see in the photo and a vulcanite stem which is soaking in deoxidizer at the moment. I've gotten input from @Kmhartle on his cleaning method for meerschaum - this is the first one I've had to work on - and have researched it online. I'll post more photos and the method I decide to use as I go along.
@PappyJoe ~ As much as I'd like to take credit for sharing Meerschaum restoration techniques with you, I think you've mistaken me for someone else. While I occasionally dabble in pipe restorations, I've never tackled a Meerschaum.
@Kmhartle - Sorry. That was a slip of the finger when typing the above. It was @KA9FFJ who was giving me the advice. I've done more research and I am 90 percent sure this is an old Pioneer Meerschaum carved from African Block Meerschaum. I have learned that African meerschaum goes through a calcification process that makes it harder than Mediterranean or Turkish meerschaum. I say 90 percent because this pipe doesn't have the "P" used by Wally Frank on the Pioneer pipes. Instead of selling this one, I've decided to keep it for my collection and smoke it.
The photos below are after I cleaned the outside of the bowl and waxed it. It darkened up some.
Well here's a pipe that came with 2 meerschaums about 2-3 weeks ago (I'm losing time coordinates with this stay-at-home thing). Anyway, had just a little rim charring, the stem was heavily oxidized, (more so than the pics show), and the stamping on the stem was all but gone. I popped the stinger out while giving it a thorough internal cleaning... Oh, and you guessed it, the stummel was varnished! Ugh!
Meanwhile, I did several step sandings on the stem, I then went to work to see if I could salvage the stamping. I'm not very happy with the job I did, but at least it's readable. Waxed, buffed, etc. and here's the final...
Comments
Here's the main problem. Used pipes come to you, and each one has its own unique demands. You can't just fit one technique to every pipe that comes across your bench.
Without going into great detail, those different techniques and demands require scrutiny on your part to figure out the best possible approach in order to get the best results given the condition of the pipe.
Also, stummel work and stem work are 2 different worlds. It is not unusual to spend more time and work on stems than the stummel.
Here's a great YouTube channel for learning some basics in restorations: "The Complete Bare Pipe". That one has all of his 48 videos. He does quite a bit on a "shoe string" allowance. If nothing else, you can get a better idea if this is something you would like to get into.
You are correct, IMHO, it is very therapeutic, relaxing and rewarding... not to mention challenging.
Before...
You will have to tell me how you refurbished the meerschaum. I haven't attempted doing one of them yet.
However, it’s a bit like listening to Chris Thile before I break out my mandolin. I’m not sure if I should keep practicing or give up before I start 😂
I really enjoy seeing these restorations.
I just know I enjoy seeing other people's pipe work, and so I thought you might too...
Don't know if the pics will show the carvings or not, but here it is...
Also, the stem was drilled off center, so I drilled and put a small yellow dot to know which way the stem lined up.
It has an acrylic fitting you partially see in the photo and a vulcanite stem which is soaking in deoxidizer at the moment.
I've gotten input from @Kmhartle on his cleaning method for meerschaum - this is the first one I've had to work on - and have researched it online. I'll post more photos and the method I decide to use as I go along.
I've done more research and I am 90 percent sure this is an old Pioneer Meerschaum carved from African Block Meerschaum. I have learned that African meerschaum goes through a calcification process that makes it harder than Mediterranean or Turkish meerschaum. I say 90 percent because this pipe doesn't have the "P" used by Wally Frank on the Pioneer pipes.
Instead of selling this one, I've decided to keep it for my collection and smoke it.
The photos below are after I cleaned the outside of the bowl and waxed it. It darkened up some.
Anyway, had just a little rim charring, the stem was heavily oxidized, (more so than the pics show), and the stamping on the stem was all but gone.
I popped the stinger out while giving it a thorough internal cleaning...
Oh, and you guessed it, the stummel was varnished! Ugh!
After that, I did a light sanding with 1000 grit...
Waxed, buffed, etc. and here's the final...