Bending stem
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You can do it simply by using a candle's flame and gently heating the stem enough to get the bend you want. The pipe cleaner will help hold open the airway. Don't be very aggressive or even the pipe cleaner won't save the passage.
When your stem becomes pliable, make your bend and hold it for a few seconds to let the vulcanite set or run it under some cold water.
When your stem becomes pliable, make your bend and hold it for a few seconds to let the vulcanite set or run it under some cold water.
A heat gun is what I use. get it hot but be careful not to burn it. A candle works as will a stove burner. Don't use hot water on vulcanite it discolors badly. Lucite is tricky as the slump temp is very close to bending temp.
Since it is a straight stem that Willard stem is a soft plastic. Not sure what type. The major complaint about Willards(which were made by Grabow) were those darn soft stems-easily chewed. Bent stem Willards had vulcanite stems as the plastic didn't lend itself to well to bending,has a tendency to straighten out if I remember correctly. You can try heating as mentioned but don't be surprised if it doesn't work or won't stay bent very long.
I bent a straight stem from a churchwarden (can you imagine?) by putting a pile of rock salt on a baking tray and a pipe cleaner through the stem, then putting it in the oven at 200 degrees farenheit for a minute or two. When I took it out of the oven it was easily bent in a gentle curve.
Hmmm.. I didnt know I could do this myself. Great information in case I need it. Thanks for bringing it up Ace. :clap:
All my stems come unfinished and straight. Gotta make bends for any bents. Just take it easy and you should have no trouble.
I'm sure there are plenty of ways that work well. I've done several using this simple method.
1) bring a pot of water to a near boil
2) place stem in hot water for 3-5 minutes. With pipe cleaner inside stem.
3) remove wearing gloves and place over a round object. Glass, coffee can, etc.
4) submerge in cold water to set bend.
You will need to have the form ( glass, coffee can,) and the sink of cold water ready before removing the stem from the hot water. You have about a 30 second window before the vulcanite starts harden again. Place your thumb on the button end of stem and holding the opposite end, bend around your curved object of choice. Once it's shaped the way you want, continue holding slight pressure to keep the bend and dunk in the cold water for 30-45 seconds. Once cooled, it's locked into that shape unless you repeat the process. I haven't used a heat gun or candle but the hot water gives a uniformly heated stem to work with.
1) bring a pot of water to a near boil
2) place stem in hot water for 3-5 minutes. With pipe cleaner inside stem.
3) remove wearing gloves and place over a round object. Glass, coffee can, etc.
4) submerge in cold water to set bend.
You will need to have the form ( glass, coffee can,) and the sink of cold water ready before removing the stem from the hot water. You have about a 30 second window before the vulcanite starts harden again. Place your thumb on the button end of stem and holding the opposite end, bend around your curved object of choice. Once it's shaped the way you want, continue holding slight pressure to keep the bend and dunk in the cold water for 30-45 seconds. Once cooled, it's locked into that shape unless you repeat the process. I haven't used a heat gun or candle but the hot water gives a uniformly heated stem to work with.
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