I Think I Am Ready To Try And Evolve My Pipe Hobby.

Might also check with some of the other pipe makers and see if you can check out their shops.

IMO, there should be a big commitment to sawdust removal at each workstation.

Every picture I see of pipe shop sanders and lathes has prominent evac equipment.

So blower motors and vacuum systems seem to be a priority. Check out the pix from Ser Jacopo.

Smokey, unless you are a recent lottery winner, I would suggest you go slowly. Get your self a buffer and refurbish/repair a few dozen before you go whole hog.
Also, Cortez is right(as always) - dust control is a major concern.
Read thru the Pipemaker's Forum and watch a few videos for setup ideas.
Please don't think I'm condescending - that's the advice I would give to anyone. I don't know your skill level, so my advice is pretty general. I have looked down that long, expensive road myself, and had to face the fact that I don't have the skill or the artistry. :P But whatever you do, have fun! I hope you make a few shekels, too.

In consulting our local pipemaker, Skip Elliot, here are a few things that I had to consider. You need a larger lathe, don't go for the cheapest, because you will need to be able to turn stummels with the length of shaft spinning when forming the bowls. Also, the chuck to hold the blocks of briar are about as expensive as the lathe.
Don't get a Dremel, get a good high horsepower Flexshaft. It will be able to carve into that tough briar better and with more control.
You might consider just the fewest tools possible first. A drill press, and a good Flexshaft with a good selection of carving burs can get you started. Tools cannot replace skills. The best wood craftsmen use their minds more than specific tools designed to compensate. Then, when you are ready for a lathe, get a lathe.
Check with your local woodcraft suppliers to see if you have a woodworking co-op or collective in your area. We have a woodcraft co-op where they've bought and supplied a whole wood working shop. They offer classes on turning wood bowls (vases, etc), and various other skills using the equipment. And, then you can use their tools to learn the nuances and safety before making the investment yourself. You might also learn about others who jumped in and bought a garage full of tools themselves before realizing they don't have a lasting interest in working with wood. This happens a lot. Guys will sink thousands into tools, and then after losing a finger or starting some other hobby, they want to unload all of those tools on the cheap.
I suggest that you start with the bare minimum tools. Our forefathers were able to make pipes with a knife and something to bore with. Then work your way to bigger tools as your creativity demands.
Just my 2 cents. Have fun. Making stuff is a lot of fun. Also keep your options open on making other stuff. Carve a few garden gnomes, vases, and make a few boxes. Make a chair for your little lady. That will make her smile and endear her to your mad craft skills. Making people smile is way more fun than just making the other things.

cynyr has a good strategy, to do this in an incremental way. Start with a few pieces of equipment, and

plan your projects around those. You'll learn a lot from that, about placement, what level of tools you

need. You'll be thinking about it and talking to other pipe carvers along the way and make better, more

informed decisions given some time. A few pieces of gear, give it at least six months, and so on.

Go onto the pipe makers site and register. ALL of the contemporary artisans and hobbyists are on there and there are tools and equipment for sale. You will be surprised at the minimalist approach some of these carvers adopt. You don't need an entire wood shop to make a pipe. Check it out.

Great advice here. I'll only add that I totally agree with Cosmic's words on how many folks dive right into buying all sorts of gear in a new hobby, only to find out like anything else, there is an enormous amount of time needed to devote to it to become proficient.
My partial list of previous activities now or almost ready to put in the garage:
auto mechanics-all sorts of power tools, etc.
Underwater photography: fancy housings, lights, camera, lenses etc.
helicopter study books
6'2" yamaha grand piano (also a yamaha practice silent piano). Beautiful piano, and when I used to practice up to four hours a day, I would drive my family crazy--hence, the silent piano.
Just a short list of stuff
I will add, however, that I really used all of these things with the compulsive behavior that I exhibit in all hobbies--like pipe smoking.

Smokey, good luck...don't get the wood lathe...find yourself a metal lathe..it gives you more flexibility and options when working with pipes and stems...Shopfox has a great buffing motor that can be used for setting up your buffing and finishing stations...and get a good belt sander...I've watched pipe makers shape an entire pipe with just a coping saw and belt sander...

Make sure to keep us updated as I plan to start outfitting my shop next spring and could use the input. I already have a lot of the things you listed for gun work but I'm holding off on buying a lathe because I'm not sure how big to go. Hobby metal lathes at Lee Valley are a couple hundred bucks but jumping to the next sizes usually include a few more thousand.

Your more than welcome Smokey...I've spent time with Rad Davis in his shop and he helped me get my buffing stations set up for restoration and refinishing....

lots of makers on the other forum are saying they just use a mini metal lathe and it works perfect for them.

Click to expand...

If you're going to spend money, forget the mini lathes- you are pretty much limited to stem work and will constantly butt up against their limitations on accuracy and rigidity. I bought a 9x20 Grizzly for about a thousand a year ago, spend another $1,000 on tooling and am kicking myself for not getting a 12x36"
If you can pick up some classic American iron like a 10" Atlas for $800 or so, you'll be much happier...and won't have to spend a ton of money retooling when you upgrade lathes...