Ideas - what works - mortise/shank cleaning
- Thread starter peteguy
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Wait, we're talking about the shank and mortice, right? Sorry guys, but I would NEVER scrape off the "top layer" or ANY amount of briar from the mortice or shank. Or sand it with emory paper and a dowel. It could seriously affect the fit of the tenon, airflow, and/or overall smoking quality of the pipe.
Same here with the emory. Tenon was a little big just a couple turns around the inside of the shank and once around the tennon. Perfect fit.
I think Bigvan is right. I never modified a pipe than didn't end up in the garbage. :crying:
Fortunately, I learned this humbling lesson on Medicos and basket pipes.
Fortunately, I learned this humbling lesson on Medicos and basket pipes.
Well you would never do it to a Ben Wade or anything in that quality. But when you got to make the adjustments you do what you got to do on the cheap pipes.
I just replaced the mortise and tenon both in my Meer. The tenon was old and damaged and the mortise had cracked, due to being mis-matched with the tenon. As Fred once pointed out, you should always replace both at the same time. I didn't do that, so I ended up with a busted mortise.
I had to put the stem in the freezer to get the old tenon off and then I cleaned both the shank and stem with Q-Tips, 50 proof vodka and bristle cleaners. I put some beeswax on the threads of the new parts, screwed them in and it was perfect. No fuss!
I bought the push-pull mortise and tenon from Pipe Maker's Emporium and they were only $10.20 for a dozen! They were good quality and shipped fast! Great people to deal with!
I had to put the stem in the freezer to get the old tenon off and then I cleaned both the shank and stem with Q-Tips, 50 proof vodka and bristle cleaners. I put some beeswax on the threads of the new parts, screwed them in and it was perfect. No fuss!
I bought the push-pull mortise and tenon from Pipe Maker's Emporium and they were only $10.20 for a dozen! They were good quality and shipped fast! Great people to deal with!
1. Rubbing alcohol for a cleaning solution;
2. Q-Tips for application and scrubbing
3. Blunt side of a BBQ Skewer + old T-Shirt to get into the shank and collect all the loose goop. Put the skewer into one layer of T-shirt, carefully push the skewer into the shank, and gently rotate to collect the goop
4. Rinse and repeat
Works like a charm. Just go easy and don't use too much fabric. Too much friction and pressure can pop a shank off in a heartbeat.
2. Q-Tips for application and scrubbing
3. Blunt side of a BBQ Skewer + old T-Shirt to get into the shank and collect all the loose goop. Put the skewer into one layer of T-shirt, carefully push the skewer into the shank, and gently rotate to collect the goop
4. Rinse and repeat
Works like a charm. Just go easy and don't use too much fabric. Too much friction and pressure can pop a shank off in a heartbeat.
I use a shank-brush dipped in a bit of alcohol on the really stubborn goop (ok, so I actually use a nylon bore-brush from a gun cleaning kit, somewhat easier to find in my town).
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