Looking for a pipe stem replacement artisan. After many years of using the same one, he moved out of the St. Louis, MO area. Any recommendations out there?
@GunnerUSMC Welcome to the forum. The Marines has always been my second favorite branch of the military.
I personally use Ric Farrah at Briarville. I'm always satisfied with the quality of his work and the speed he gets it back to me. Right now he is at the Chicago Pipe Show so it might take a few days longer than normal.
The best place for a Coastie at RefTra to have a quiet and peaceful drink at GTMO (cause, The Barrel Club, you know) was at the Marines NCO club. Or at the golf course (I don't golf -- ever).
I've been told by more than one old Marine how they preferred Coastie coxswains to pilot their landing craft in the Pacific WWII because the Navy coxswains would too often try to stay away from the beach and the
incoming gunfire, which left the Marines to wade ashore from chest-deep
seawater while the Coasties would land them right at the beach, often letting them ashore with their boots barely wet.
Had a stem replaced recently by sending the pipe in to Dr Grabow for one of their Freehand pipes. Only cost $13.00. The old stem had the button pretty much completely chewed off, enough to make the stem shorter by a bit.
Yup, as I expected, that last part wasn't really very punny.
I hate vulcanite stems and wish I could replace them all. But since many pipes are identified by the marking on the stem it will affect the value of the pipe. Not that I'm intending to sell anything. I like to keep things original ... but feel an acrylic stem can hold up better ... less chatter marks on the bit ... and that pesky oxidation is a real pain in the ass.
If you can afford it, have a new acrylic stem made for the pipe and keep the original stem for if you decide to sell the pipe. The last time I had a new acrylic stem made for a pipe cost me around $45. Depending on the pipe, there are also some people who are able to make new stems with the correct stamping on them but it will definitely cost more.
@ghostsofpompeii That's a great idea @PappyJoe and one that I did with an @Corey562 pipe. I was starting to get a little wear on his original stem, so I fitted some acrylic replacements. Here's the original stem...
@PappyJoe I tend to feel the same way. They're both ok for different reasons. I initially went with the red only because of the slight reddish cast to the stain, and because it tended to go with the pipe theme (tomato). However, I liked the looks of the amber/yellow one so much, I made that one to fit as well. I will say it's nice to have a choice...🙂
Comments
Mike Meyers, @ Walker Pipe Repair. Quick service, great work, “No Touch” stem repair.
That makes 3 piper Marines in the StL area that I know of including @RandyB1966 ...
I personally use Ric Farrah at Briarville. I'm always satisfied with the quality of his work and the speed he gets it back to me. Right now he is at the Chicago Pipe Show so it might take a few days longer than normal.
I've been told by more than one old Marine how they preferred Coastie coxswains to pilot their landing craft in the Pacific WWII because the Navy coxswains would too often try to stay away from the beach and the incoming gunfire, which left the Marines to wade ashore from chest-deep seawater while the Coasties would land them right at the beach, often letting them ashore with their boots barely wet.
You might get lucky and find something workable there.....
Yup, as I expected, that last part wasn't really very punny.
Tons of Stems for sale or Stem replacements in the shop.
Thanks for the info!
The last time I had a new acrylic stem made for a pipe cost me around $45. Depending on the pipe, there are also some people who are able to make new stems with the correct stamping on them but it will definitely cost more.
That's a great idea @PappyJoe and one that I did with an @Corey562 pipe.
I was starting to get a little wear on his original stem, so I fitted some acrylic replacements.
Here's the original stem...
Here's the replacements...
Personally I like the lighter colored replacement stem more than the original or the darker replacement.
I initially went with the red only because of the slight reddish cast to the stain, and because it tended to go with the pipe theme (tomato).
However, I liked the looks of the amber/yellow one so much, I made that one to fit as well.
I will say it's nice to have a choice...🙂
Next time I need a new stem made for a pipe, I'll send it to you.
Tuesday Stem Special
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
We are having a special sale on our Selection of 1 Lbs Stems packs!
Each pack will be a rough estimate of at-least 50 stems per pound.
Limited Availability on Select Style and shapes. Hurry in to claim your favorite stem for your pipe repairs or pipe creations.
https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?e=043441d93b&u=32774a3cfd84a3f78f4194896&id=5707164ebf