Well, this should not have been a full refurbishment as I purchased this pipe as an estate from a “reputable” online retailer with the statement of “all of our pipes have undergone a thorough cleaning and disinfecting regimen”. NOT! I am nearly 100% sure a pipe cleaner was never even run through the stem, and the stem was loose as hell even before I cleaned the gank out of the shank. I had to tighten the stem and do a complete inside and out refurb. I am glad I did not put this nasty bastard to my lips before running a pipe cleaner through it...or fifteen plus. It was “shiny” on the outside when I received it, although the lava on the rim was just buffed over. Ultimately the cleaner I use stripped the wax, which was fine, it needed it.
I want to mention, the online retailer that I purchased the internally dirty pipe from has acknowledged that it had slipped though their cleaning regimen and remedied the the oversight 100% to my satisfaction. Hey, everyone makes mistakes/oversights, stuff slips through the cracks. They still have the best customer service and are committed to keeping our passion for pipes and tobacco alive.
Well, yesterday I used one of my "work" pipes while out in the garage and yard. The bowl has some surface cracks and the stem had a hole the size of a pencil eraser! I repaired the stem with little confidence of success due to the hole size. However, I'm surprised that the repair lasted as long as it did ( I use this pipe 2 - 4 times a week). Anyway, here it is now...
As chance would have it, one of my extra stems tenon was an exact match for the mortise. It's totally oxidized but in decent shape. However, notice the stem is slightly smaller than the shank...
I've now removed most of the oxidation, and shaped the stem as it should be. Here again, I won't be putting much more effort on this project since it's usually just kept propped up on my garage workbench... I will show you the pipe once I get the stem and stummel in better shape... It is, IMHO, interesting to note how the look of a prince dramatically changes when a saddle bit is used...
96° with heat index @102. Supposed to get 104 with an index of 110, so I figured I'd start working on a pipe I've had for a while. It's a really rough JOBEY with issues, including a broken button, and a loose tennon/stem fitting... Here's the prelim pics:
Mixed together Loctite and Ebonite dust and, using a toothpick, I rough-formed a new patch and button for the stem... Now I wait until tomorrow for it to set up...
Ok, I filed down and shaped the small gash and button. I also went ahead and started sanding and micropadding the stem. I'm presently 3 pads away before I start buffing.
Since my wife was still shopping, I decided to continue my work on the stummel. I usually start with a thorough scrubbing with Murphys Wood Soap using a toothbrush... After a rinse, I repeat...
The next 2 pics are the result of a LIGHT sanding with 500 grit to remove what little charring remained after the Murphys cleaning, and to remove any stubborn stains, grime, etc...
Heated the stummel with a heat gun until it was almost too hot to touch. This helps to open the grain to receive the stain better. Then I stained the entire stummel black, then flame set it...
Comments
NOT!
I am nearly 100% sure a pipe cleaner was never even run through the stem, and the stem was loose as hell even before I cleaned the gank out of the shank. I had to tighten the stem and do a complete inside and out refurb. I am glad I did not put this nasty bastard to my lips before running a pipe cleaner through it...or fifteen plus. It was “shiny” on the outside when I received it, although the lava on the rim was just buffed over. Ultimately the cleaner I use stripped the wax, which was fine, it needed it.
I repaired the stem with little confidence of success due to the hole size. However, I'm surprised that the repair lasted as long as it did ( I use this pipe 2 - 4 times a week). Anyway, here it is now...
However, notice the stem is slightly smaller than the shank...
Here again, I won't be putting much more effort on this project since it's usually just kept propped up on my garage workbench...
I will show you the pipe once I get the stem and stummel in better shape...
It is, IMHO, interesting to note how the look of a prince dramatically changes when a saddle bit is used...
How can you doubt your ability? It is always crap turned to gold.
Much appreciated brother...
Ditto @Balisong
Thank you brother...
Supposed to get 104 with an index of 110, so I figured I'd start working on a pipe I've had for a while.
It's a really rough JOBEY with issues, including a broken button, and a loose tennon/stem fitting...
Here's the prelim pics:
Gave the INSIDE of the stem and tenon a thorough cleaning...
Looks like a pipe that was all but used up. I'm looking for another crap to gold transformation.
I usually start with a thorough scrubbing with Murphys Wood Soap using a toothbrush...
After a rinse, I repeat...