I told you my golf buddy doesn't take care of his pipes. Example, he smokes this pipe 1 to 2 times a week, and told me he hasn't cleaned it for 6 months! He said the stem was starting to loosen. I could have just fixed that problem but, you know me, I just couldn't let that pipe stay in that neglected condition. Here's a few before pics:
Notice the charring on the rim and the "gunk" build up between the shank and the bowl... After a thorough cleaning (11 bristled cleaners and 5 soft cleaners), I tightened up the tenon/mortise fit, plus reaming the bowl, decharring the rim, I stripped, restained, waxed, etc. Here's the final:
I'm using the patience of Job on this guy, and having him come over to the house for cleaning and care lesson for his pipes. He was able to stop cigarettes after I got him started on pipes about 2 years ago. At that time, he sounded as if he was trying to cough a lung up almost continuously. After about a year of pipe smoking, his wife brought to his attention that he was no longer coughing, so that makes me hopeful his condition has/is improving...🤞🏻
Recently acquired 5 pipes for 30 bucks, and since rain has prevented me from playing golf today, I decided to try and get one refinished. This one is a John Surrey, Ltd. Not in bad shape, but certainly was not sellable in its present condition.
Next I thoroughly reamed the bowl, then cleaned the stummel with Murphy's. A light sanding with 600 grit was next to finish the total grime removal. After that came a good internal stem cleaning. I was pleasantly surprised to find a relatively straight grained stummel with no pits!
Long story short: Got the stinger looking like new. Deoxidized the stem by going through 600, 800, 1000, 1200 grit sandpaper; then stepped through micropads all the way to 8000. Waxed, polished, and here's the final:
Here's the next 3 I'll be working on as time permits. Left to right: John Surrey, Ltd. CHARBAC Frank Medico w/pat.# Wally Frank "Pipe of the Month" So for I have only done a preliminary reaming of the bowls...
Rainy all day here in the St. Louis area from the hurricane, so after a few indoor chores, I decided to take on the Wally Frank "Pipe of the Month". This pipe had some scattered thin spots of varnish left on the pipe, so I stripped the pipe down just enough to get rid of the spotty varnish... Once stripped, I restained it with 40 drops saddle, 1 drop oxblood. Anyway, here's the final:
Removing the stem revealed a stinger that looks as if it's some sort of moisture absorbing material.?.? Anyway, I cleaned it as best I could with sandpaper and water...
The mortise had been drilled slightly off center so the stem had to be turned the correct way or the stem didn't match with the shank. So I decided to inlay a dowel to allow the smoker to always align the stem properly. I also cleaned and lightly sanded the stummel to get all the grime and dirt removed, and beveled the inside rim to all but eliminate the gash...
Comments
I honestly never thought along those lines.
Maybe next time...🤔
Example, he smokes this pipe 1 to 2 times a week, and told me he hasn't cleaned it for 6 months!
He said the stem was starting to loosen.
I could have just fixed that problem but, you know me, I just couldn't let that pipe stay in that neglected condition.
Here's a few before pics:
After a thorough cleaning (11 bristled cleaners and 5 soft cleaners), I tightened up the tenon/mortise fit, plus reaming the bowl, decharring the rim, I stripped, restained, waxed, etc.
Here's the final:
He was able to stop cigarettes after I got him started on pipes about 2 years ago.
At that time, he sounded as if he was trying to cough a lung up almost continuously. After about a year of pipe smoking, his wife brought to his attention that he was no longer coughing, so that makes me hopeful his condition has/is improving...🤞🏻
This one is a John Surrey, Ltd. Not in bad shape, but certainly was not sellable in its present condition.
Had to use the old freezer trick and that did the job...
I was pleasantly surprised to find a relatively straight grained stummel with no pits!
Got the stinger looking like new.
Deoxidized the stem by going through 600, 800, 1000, 1200 grit sandpaper; then stepped through micropads all the way to 8000.
Waxed, polished, and here's the final:
This one has some pretty straight grain.
And check out the birds eye directly on the bottom of the stummel and shank!
Left to right:
John Surrey, Ltd. CHARBAC
Frank Medico w/pat.#
Wally Frank "Pipe of the Month"
So for I have only done a preliminary reaming of the bowls...
I wish someone could refurbish me the way you save pipes.
This pipe had some scattered thin spots of varnish left on the pipe, so I stripped the pipe down just enough to get rid of the spotty varnish...
Once stripped, I restained it with 40 drops saddle, 1 drop oxblood.
Anyway, here's the final:
Here's the before pics.
Notice the small gash located on the front side of the rim?
Anyway, I cleaned it as best I could with sandpaper and water...
I also cleaned and lightly sanded the stummel to get all the grime and dirt removed, and beveled the inside rim to all but eliminate the gash...
Looking at your picture, I would guess that stinger is bone. Just my 10 cents….inflation ya know🙂