@Londy3 The vulcanite used in stems is a softer material than "normal" plastics and is much more porous. If you place these pipe stems under a microscope you will see thousands and thousands of ridges and intentions. These catch moisters, bacteria, etc. And the oxidation process begins. Once you wet sand with micro-mesh and get rid of ALL the oxidation, rub a thin coat of mineral oil on the stem. This will help seal those thousands of indents and pours and help to prevent the oxidation process. More to it, but that's the basics...
@KA9FFJ, thanks for that. So, why dont we all just lube up the stems of a new pipe with mineral oil then? Also, why not use better materials than vulanite?
@Londy3 Good questions. There's no rule that says you can't put mineral oil on a new stem. Remember, the stem is new, and time and the lack of usage hasn't allowed oxidation to take place YET. A thin coat on the stem will help to greatly delay the oxidation process for the reasons I gave previously. However, it can't prevent it indefinately. As for as why vulcanite, it has proven itself over time to be the best material for a pipe stem (especially for the clencher). It is softer than "normal" plastic and, consequently easier on the teeth. Being softer, it is also easier to shape and bend. Since I am not a clencher, I prefer acrylic stems. Usually no problems with oxidation and not uncomfortable on my teeth. Here again, only skimming the service, but I hope that helps...
@Londy3 there are acrylic but like @KA9FFJsaid it is a harder material and some find it not as comfortable. With proper care stems will not oxidized I have found that a wipe down with obsidian oil helps alot. I will usually wipe mine down and let them set for about 20min the wipe them down with a clean dry towel and I am good to go for a while.
@Londy3 Yep, great advice. I usually give them a good initial thick-coating wipe down and let set for at least 20 min. before a dry towel wipe down. I also will give them a very thin coating after smoking the pipe and racking them until their next rotation...
@KA9FFJ You did a beautiful job bringing that pipe back to life. The new rustication job makes the pipe look better than ever. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Thanks so much @ghostsofpompeii I really didn't have a choice on this one. Too many pits and fills to save it like I would have liked to. Waiting on stem to arrive then it's back to work on this project...
Well the stem I'm waiting on to complete my "mini" churchwarden is hung up in the mail and the delivery date has been set back to sometime late next week! Oh well, when it finally arrives, it will still be winter here and it will be a perfect time to pick back up the project and complete it... I'll let you guys know when it finally gets here...
Meanwhile, I'll work on a pipe rack I designed and see how that turns out. I'll post pics on PIPE STORAGE later...
No stem yet. A mix up in the mail resulted in the stem being sent back to the sender! They contacted me and said they would send it back to me the next day or I could have my money back. I told them to ship it, I would be waiting... For how long? Who knows...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@motie2 I have NO IDEA how that happened. Haven't been on here since last entry about the stem I 'm still waiting on. Ghosts and Spectors in the system?.?.?
Thanks @Charles The pipe originally was almost black with grime and usage. After an alcohol bath and sanding, I thought the grain was too Nice to hide, so I light colored stained it and I think it came out pretty nice myself...
Ok. Had a guy at the show with a table next to me who had a pipe with a fissure on the outside of the bowl. He was going to throw it away and instead gave it to me. It is a Cortina S73 (sitter - made in Denmark. The first thing I had to do was remove the rustication to see the extent of the fissure. I then reamed it and gave it a 24 hr. alcohol bath. The fissure did not go to the inside of the bowl, so I used black super glue and sealed it. After allowing to dry, I smoked it to see how it would hold up... All went well.
I then went to work on the stem. The stem was bent well beyond parallel to the top of the bowl, so I gave it a little less bend. Then went to work cleaning and sterilizing. I then rusticate the pipe and took it back to its original black. It is a good smoker. I'm enjoying a bowl of CB Copper while I post this...
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Since I am not a clencher, I prefer acrylic stems. Usually no problems with oxidation and not uncomfortable on my teeth. Here again, only skimming the service, but I hope that helps...
Well the stem I'm waiting on to complete my "mini" churchwarden is hung up in the mail and the delivery date has been set back to sometime late next week! Oh well, when it finally arrives, it will still be winter here and it will be a perfect time to pick back up the project and complete it... I'll let you guys know when it finally gets here...
Meanwhile, I'll work on a pipe rack I designed and see how that turns out. I'll post pics on PIPE STORAGE later...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
@Corey562 Anyway, I went ahead and refirbed it and gave it a new look, not knowing if I have a whole pipe Or two separate parts combined to make one pipe. The stummel is stamped Millard (not Willard). Here it is now...
The first thing I had to do was remove the rustication to see the extent of the fissure. I then reamed it and gave it a 24 hr. alcohol bath. The fissure did not go to the inside of the bowl, so I used black super glue and sealed it. After allowing to dry, I smoked it to see how it would hold up... All went well.