Nasty Kirsten With Bowl Stuck...

mrfus · Jul 26, 2013

Hello to every one, I pick this kirsten on eBay and as the title of the post say the bowl is stuck... it wasn't too hard to remove the stem or the valve but the bowl it's a totally different story!!
So my first question will be if some one have any ideas on how to remove it? I already try cooling down the pipe, and trying to loose the bowl screw...
[img=http://s15.postimg.cc/k48pnunp3/IMG_20130726_171920.jpg]
Thank you

Mr.Fus

captainsousie · Jul 26, 2013

Have you tried a screwdriver in the slots at the bottom of the bowl? A little gentle working on that might do the trick.

mrfus · Jul 26, 2013

Yes I know the bowl ring is broken... that was going to be my second question! (After getting the bowl off)... I try to work the screw but its not moving and I'm afraid to damage it, the bowl is super nasty so I think that is why is stuck on, for what I can see it was never cleaned at all!
I just put it on the freezer and the stopwatch is running, as soon as I get it off I will contact Kirsten to see if I can get a new ring and a new set of orings.

mrfus · Jul 27, 2013

I have good news, after 45 minutes on the freezer I was able to remove the bowl and clean the radiator stem... now I have the valve and the radiator clean, and the mouthpiece stem was cleaned early today using a bath of oxiclean and Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser®. The only pending parts are some work with Micro Mesh on the stem to get a good gloss finish and... a miracle cleaning the bowl, finding the bowl ring and BeesWaxing!

mrfus · Jul 28, 2013

Yes I have read the same, some people mention that they shut off the pipe making part of the business, they still have some NOS of loose parts but you have to talk to them over the phone and even I read the other day that they are restarting production of pipes and they are trying to catch with some orders.
I was working on the nasty cake while watching Heartbreak Ridge but I think I have enough for one day, it's looking (and smelling) much better, you can see the inside of the bowl on some areas but I still have some spots where the build shows because of the uneven nasty cake, I hope that when I light this one for the first time the heat and oil from a fresh smoke will loose it and make it easy to remove.
Stem just coming out of the OxiClean
[img=http://s15.postimg.cc/ly6ob0zpz/IMG_20130727_121035.jpg]
After MagicEraser
[img=http://s15.postimg.cc/jscdgiw9j/IMG_20130727_123038.jpg]

mrfus · Jul 31, 2013

Finally after a couple of days of carefully work sanding and cleaning the tobacco chamber on my bowl, it's 90% clean and free of old cake.

The bowl and the rim are rough but I'm not going to do any sanding or nothing, I see the scratches as battle scars, part of the personality of the pipe itself... so I'm just going to clean it really good and do the beeswax beauty treatment (null) and see if I can find the damn bowl ring

, or end up constructing something similar.

captainsousie · Jul 31, 2013

Nice job, just love the meer bowl. Can't help you on a replacement bowl ring but if you can't get replacement o-rings from Kirsten, you might try one from a corny keg. You can get them at most homebrew supply shops.

mrfus · Jul 31, 2013

As amazing as it can sound after all the mistreat that this poor pipe suffer the O-rings are still perfect!
I should have took a picture of the bowl before the reaming of the cake, but I was so mad to see it and wonder how some one will buy a pipe, add a meerschaum bowl and then screw it so bad...
I'm still wondering how to remove the bowl ring with no damaging the bowl or finish to destroy the ring, I'm even tempted to just keep it as is and avoid the Murphy's law!
I have not get the chance to call Kirsten Pipes (I just send a email to them but for what I have read they are not good answering emails) to ask about the bowl ring, or if they are already back on track and making parts for pipes…

plateauguy · Jul 31, 2013

"replacement o-rings from Kirsten, you might try one from a corny keg. You can get them at most homebrew supply shops."
OK Captain, I'll bite - what is a corny keg? I need an O ring for my Kirsten.

rockymtnsmoker · Aug 3, 2013

In a related matter, I have a Kirsten with a stuck valve. Any ideas on how to loosen it without reefing on it with pliers? The bowl is also stuck, but you guys answered that question above. Thanks in advance for any tips.

mrfus · Aug 4, 2013

I will think that the freezer method will help to loose the valve, the Kirsten that I'm cleaning its a 3rd generation with o-rings on mouthpiece and valve (The hexagonal kind for the Esquire model) and that make it easy to dissemble even if is all nasty, on my first generation they removed the valve using pliers and damage the finish but still is holding really good.
Maybe after the bowl is removed you can put some alcohol on the radiator and tap the valve from inside using the back of pen to get it loose.

rockymtnsmoker · Aug 4, 2013

Thanks Fus, I'll give the freezer a shot!

plateauguy · Aug 4, 2013

Thanks fus, I had the same problem - I have a first gen and didn't want to use pliers. I'll give the freezer a try.

mrfus · Aug 8, 2013

Well finally I'm done with my pipe, I already polish the mouthpiece...

And I have re-wax and buff the bowl, the only detail still pending it's the replacement for the bowl ring but the broken one it's more of a visual detail than functional because the screw it's on really good shape and the treads are fine.
The re-wax process was interesting and challenging, but really helped to clean the surface of the bowl and looks like on the long run will protect the surface from collecting oils and dirt from outside that will stain the bowl.

I already enjoy two bowls of Mac Baren Plumcake and I love it!

captainsousie · Aug 8, 2013

Another way to remove the stuck valve is to put a length of dowel in the radiator and gently tap the valve out. Looks nice and if you like how it smokes, even better.

brewshooter · Aug 8, 2013

OK Captain, I'll bite - what is a corny keg? I need an O ring for my Kirsten.

Cornelius keg, formerly used by the soda industry for storing soda for fountain dispensing. Most have moved to a bag-in-box or alternate system and homebrewers are now using the kegs for kegging their own beer.

captainsousie · Aug 8, 2013

Sorry plateauguy, I didn't even see the question. Thanks Brewshooter.

plateauguy · Aug 8, 2013

Thanks to both of you.
Been thinking about brewing beer, problem is I'm not much of a beer drinker. It just looks like it could be fun.

captainsousie · Aug 8, 2013

If you brew, and brew well, you will make beer drinking friends faster than you can imagine.

Nasty Kirsten With Bowl Stuck...

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Site Sponsors

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Might Stick Around

Lifer

Might Stick Around

Might Stick Around

Might Stick Around

Might Stick Around

Lifer

Might Stick Around

Lifer

Can't Leave

Might Stick Around

Can't Leave

Lifer

Might Stick Around

Lifer

Lifer

Lifer

Lifer

Lifer