Coming Together

colcolt

Part of the Furniture Now

Jun 11, 2012

856

0

• Sep 1, 2012

• #1

I have several pipes that after being smoked and cleaned the stems are hard to get back in the shank and in fact won't go all the way. The usually lack about a sixteenth of an inch or less. Is there a remedy for this other than Vaseline?

 

lazydog

Part of the Furniture Now

Apr 24, 2012

514

1

• Sep 1, 2012

• #2

Pencil graphite rubbed on stem insertion end???

 

numbersix

Lifer

Jul 27, 2012

5,449

53

• Sep 1, 2012

• #3

Maybe some gentle sanding of the tenon with some micromesh?

 

will

Might Stick Around

Jul 8, 2012

98

0

• Sep 1, 2012

• #4

I have a couple of estates that had this problem.

I took some 220 grit paper and rolled it up and very gently sanded the interior of the shank.

Works very well for me.

 

colcolt

Part of the Furniture Now

Jun 11, 2012

856

0

• Sep 1, 2012

• #5

When I first got them the weren't that way. It's only been after several smokes they've become like that.

 

photoman13

Lifer

Mar 30, 2012

2,825

2

• Sep 1, 2012

• #6

Do you take your stem out right after you smoke it?

 

colcolt

Part of the Furniture Now

Jun 11, 2012

856

0

• Sep 1, 2012

• #7

No, I let it cool a little first...maybe 30 minutes.

 

mrenglish

Lifer

Dec 25, 2010

2,220

72

Columbus, Ohio

• Sep 1, 2012

• #8

Put some beeswax/graphite/soap on the stem. You should be able to twist them in gently after that.

 

colcolt

Part of the Furniture Now

Jun 11, 2012

856

0

• Sep 1, 2012

• #9

I had a box of beeswax I once used as a flux when I first started casting bullets. I looked for it about a month ago for the purpose of my meer and of course it couldn't be found. Must have been 12-16 pieces about an inch in diameter/height. I guess I need to order some. I had thought of that but remembered not finding it.
I'm a little skiddish about sandpaper as they didn't cause that problem when new or after the first smoke. Maybe I'm not letting them cool long enough.

 

cigrmaster

Lifer

May 26, 2012

20,249

57,280

66

Sarasota Florida

• Sep 1, 2012

• #10

I don't pull apart a pipe for several hours and sometimes leave them over night to cool. You might want to try that before you start sanding anything.

 

rigmedic1

Lifer

May 29, 2011

3,896

75

• Sep 1, 2012

• #11

I have enough pipes that when I finish one, I put it in a basket. Next day, I take the pipes in the basket and clean them. Never had much problem with the Vulcanite tenons swelling.

 

slownumbers39

Can't Leave

Jul 29, 2012

371

1

• Sep 2, 2012

• #12

Likely did not let it cool down enough. Give it a few hours to ensure that it has completely cooled and I don't think you will have an issue. Would not sand it at all until you know exactly what is going on there.

 

sjpipesmoker

Lifer

Apr 17, 2011

1,071

2

• Sep 2, 2012

• #13

I would use sanding as the last resort, or you'll have another problem, it being to loose

 

sparroa

Lifer

Dec 8, 2010

1,466

4

• Sep 2, 2012

• #14

I've had the same problem with my cob stems; I waited until the next day and they still wouldn't fit properly...

 

adam12

Part of the Furniture Now

May 16, 2011

937

31

• Sep 2, 2012

• #15

I have to do it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JikBTNVSCJM

 

topd

Lifer

Mar 23, 2012

1,745

10

Emerson, Arkansas

• Sep 2, 2012

• #16

I'm with most other comments here.... Sanding may cause problems later as the pipes age. Use beeswax.

Brier takes a long time to warm or heat completely, even when it may feel hot to the touch when your

smoking.... and take hours to cool completely.