Pipe Mud and Meerschaum

tomatobodhi

I recently acquired a beautiful 30 year old meerschaum with some beautiful aging. It gurgled right away and I saw that the years of use and indelicate pipe cleaner pushes by previous owner(s) had ground away a depression right at the draft hole.

In other words, there was a rut in the bottom of the bowl just deep enough to collect moisture in front of the draft hole.

Any fixes you might suggest?

Is a little pipe mud to fill the rut and level the bottom of the bowl going to be a problem in a meerschaum?

PappyJoe

That may not be a depression caused by pipe cleaners. I have seen some that were just poorly drilled and had the same depression

drac2485

I agree with @pappyjoe I would assume that the mud would work but I would only do it if it bothers you that much. Due to the contraction and expansion of the pipe as you smoke it the mud may not stay or if the meerschaum adheres to it very well it could possibly make it worse if it pulls away with some meerschaum still attached. I have never done that so this is just my opinion

LostMason

I have read on another site of using plaster of paris,similar qualities to meerchaum clay,to make minor
repairs. (Not Personal Expierience)

Abreathawayfromglory

mud will not stick in a meer pipe for to long from what I have heard I would try the plaster idea or just keep a cleaner handy when it starts to gurgle just swab it out 

LostMason

Personally I like @Abreathawayfromglory 's idea,keep a cleaner on hand for when it's
needed.Keep it simple and smoke more.

judandhispipe

I'm with these guys - I think pipe mud would be problematic with a meer. Pipe cleaners are the answer.

tomatobodhi

One week or so in and so far no problems. I'll let everyone know if I have trouble going forward.