Best place to find tampers

Hiker007

Well, I went from 1 pipe to over 20 rather quickly. However, 11 of them are cobs and most of the others are pipes from antique stores. I would like to add some unusual tampers to my growing collection. I do not want to break the bank, as I am also attempting to build up my supply of tobacco. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best places to find unusual tampers for sale?

pipeman83

@Hiker007, you can find tampers just about anywhere on the internet,a lot of online retailers have them, also some artisan pipemakers also make tampers, just do a search and see what you come up with, I've also seen some on YouTube. Hope this helps.

PhilosoPiper

@Hiker007, if it is unusual you are looking for I would head over to Etsy and just do a quick search for pipe tampers. 

You are sure to find some that would perhaps interest you.

For practicality purpose I can't pass up suggesting an 8Deco tamper from smokingpipes.com, something about the domed shape and the airholes on the tamper have added another dimension to my smoke.

motie2

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=pipe tampers

Unbelievable!!!!   Thanks @PhilosoPiper

ghostsofpompeii

For the pipe smoker who has everything, including a lot of money - here's the tamper set I'd like to have. The Peterson Sherlock Holmes tamper collection.

Woodsman

To tell the truth I'm known to make my own from time to time. Here's a simple one that matches the pipe.

Hiker007

@ghostsofpompeii That is a nice set. Most likely way out of my budget.

@woodsman Awesome set. I especially like that lighter.

dbh1950

Hiker007, I suppose I am more on the utilitarian/ eclectic side of pipe tampers. Have a very fancy chromed combo tool made in Sheffield, England, a handy little tamper in a plastic cylinder with a pick that unscrew on the other end. Several Czech tools, and my mostly used tampers, those I received from Aristocob which are basically golf tees. No, I don't golf. Now, from time to time, when working outside, I make my own from a small dead twig, custom sized to fit the pipe bowl. I do like the Peterson set of tampers as posted by ghosts, rather unique, but practical for me, no. Good luck with your collecting.

PappyJoe

Lowe's and Home Depot carry a wide variety of tamps. Usually on the same aisle with nails and screws.

Hitz53

The best place to find a tamper? A machine shop. A .500 dia. dowel pin works great.

Charles

I tend to use well machined tampers.  They consist of a dowel fitted tightly into a spent .45-cal and .38-cal casings.  30-06 casings also work well.

Corey562

Throwed together a new tamp for my flame pipe.

Winton

I have stated that a tamper has three functions. Tamp the ash. Clean out the dottle. And provide pleasure to the user. A golf tee does the first two fine. I have a gifted tamper with a crocodile tooth in a cumberland base. 

Find something you like. 

jfreedy

@Woodsman - did you modify that corncob or someone else? Is that a .45 shell casing the stem is connected to?

rustedrailpipes

https://www.etsy.com/listing/231074172/tobacco-pipe-tamper?ref=shop_home_active_3

I've fallen in love with these and they are my current go to.

Woodsman

@jfreedy both the tamper and the pipe are those Aluminum .45 casings.

Woodsman

@rustedrailpipes Nice looking Antler Tampers.

Woodsman

@jfreedy I did them myself, the pipe had a crack in it. it's an inexpensive, non-filtered one that when I measured the stem came up .45 inch.
See photos:

Watchmaker61

I guess things were different 50 or so years ago. My Grandfather used his finger, truth be told he was a Blacksmith, so his fingers where like iron!

jfreedy

@Woodsman — What is the wooden part of your tamper? Dowel rod?

motie2

@Watchmaker61 -- My father, of blessed memory,  was like that. He could take a pot from a low oven without potholders.

Woodsman

@jfreedy, The wood is an old Cherrywood stick that was the right size, I put a short nail in the end before the cartridge casing so I could put it over a magnet to prevent it's rolling off the desk.

daveinlax

I've collected tampers as long as I'be been collecting pipes and have a few dozen at hand. I've probably spent more on tampers than most have in their pipe collections.

@winton You make some nice tampers yourself! I was kindly gifted one of your colored wood tampers by a friend a year or two ago.

@corey562 I really like that tamper and pipe!

 I picked this tamper up a few weeks ago from a guy DBA Snake on PSF. I might commission him to do a flame tamper inspired by my Castello flame pipes.

Corey562

@daveinlax thanks I have a few pipes I made with a matching tamp here is one of my favorites.

motie2

Sweeeeeet pix!!!!

pwkarch

Gentlemen

I have been making tampers lately using spent .45 cal. brass shell casings with 7/16" pine dowels inserted in some glue dropped into the shell (fits almost perfectly). The dowel can be "rusticated" using a rotary tool, a heavy grooved "bastard" file, or whatever. Then the dowel end can be dipped in stain then lacquered or urethaned. I have also cut multiple 5/8" to 3/4" dowels left completely "au natural". These are great just left around in the truck, garage, back deck etc., after all if it gets lost (no harm, no foul) it is practically just a damn "stick" (spoken like a real minimalist).

If a higher "pecking order" tamper is desired, there are oak, cherry, and other more "classier" species of wood dowels also available. Of course the denser wood species will be slightly harder to add detail as pine is very soft. To take it to the "next level", small almost "dainty" (This is his Alter Ego typing: The word DAINTY while discussing woodworking and pipe smoking....come on!) pull knobs or finials of some sort could be added to the top, perhaps in brass to match the bottom end.

Anyone who does wood turning on a lathe could turn a wonderful "piece of art" limited only to the imagination. For that matter, a simple unturned tamper made from a dowel is limited only by your imagination as well.

pwkarch

OOPPS

Forgot to mention, using any shell casing with a "hot" primer intact COULD severely hamper your next and all subsequent bowls in the pipe chosen, and possibly launch a wooden "projectile" into the ceiling of the room you are inhabiting. This message would be brought to you by some unidentified Public Safety Organization I am sure..

Corey562

@pwkarch I have more than a few tamps made of loose bamboo and dowels all with spent shells on the bottom the 45 is my go to I love them they seem to make the perfect size tamp. 

pwkarch

@Corey562

AND, they are fun to shoot before hand (and fairly expensive for good rounds).

Corey562

@pwkarch thats right. 

pwkarch

@Corey562

When I was in the military I carried a 1911, and an M14. I have a Colt 1911 Milspec, and a Springfield M1A both of which I still love to shoot. At this point they shoot better than I can sight.