Pipe Cleaner Tricks

M

monkfishpete

Lurker

Oct 17, 2017

7

0

• Oct 28, 2017

• #1

Is there a trick for using pipe cleaners?

Are all pipe cleaners created equal?

Hello my name is Peter I have smoked a pipe a couple times before but it was before Internet forums and the knowledge that I should clean my pipes. I used to just use a cob till they died and move on. Now I have a couple briars and they are both bent one severely and I can't for the life of me get a pipe cleaner through it, either with or without the stem in. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

warren

Lifer

Sep 13, 2013

12,299

18,317

Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK

• Oct 29, 2017

• #2

A wee bend in the tip and turn the cleaner as you ream.

 

cosmicfolklore

Lifer

Aug 9, 2013

34,829

79,420

Between the Heart of Alabama and Hot Springs NC

• Oct 29, 2017

• #3

I was hoping YOU were going to teach us a trick, ha ha. Warren’s suggestion sounds spot on. Except, it bothers me that you said that you couldn’t get a cleaner through it with the stem removed. Do you think it’s a wonky drill job in the stummel, or could it be a blockage? Does seem blocked when you draw on it?

 

M

monkfishpete

Lurker

Oct 17, 2017

7

0

• Oct 29, 2017

• #4

I don't think it's blocked it's just an extreme bend. I'd post a picture but I can't figure out how.

 

jvnshr

Moderator

Staff member

Sep 4, 2015

4,617

3,896

Baku, Azerbaijan

• Oct 29, 2017

• #5

Welcome to the forums, Pete. Here you go:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/how-to-videos

 

M

monkfishpete

Lurker

Oct 17, 2017

7

0

• Oct 29, 2017

• #6

 

admiral

Starting to Get Obsessed

Sep 15, 2017

272

5

• Oct 29, 2017

• #7

Regardless how bent this is, Warren's right - gently turn and it should go through.

 

craiginthecorn

Lifer

May 8, 2017

1,660

1,851

Sugar Grove, IL, USA

• Oct 29, 2017

• #8

Wow, that is extreme. Cool pipe!
I'm guessing that you're missing the draft hole with the cleaner. With a pipe like this, the actual draft hole won't be straight down. It will be at an angle to the stem on the side of the mortise. Try tipping your cleaner backwards as you put it in the pipe and try to find the draft hole. This diagram from Sasquatch on another forum might help you to visualize what I mean.

 

mawnansmiff

Lifer

Oct 14, 2015

7,680

8,269

Sunny Cornwall, UK.

• Oct 29, 2017

• #9

Have you tried inserting the pipecleaner in the tenon end? That's how I always clean my stems and doing it that way one is able to clean the 'vee' slot at the mouthpiece end by withdrawing said cleaner in a side to side motion.
Regards,
Jay.

 

craiginthecorn

Lifer

May 8, 2017

1,660

1,851

Sugar Grove, IL, USA

• Oct 29, 2017

• #10

I have an old G.W. Sims that has a more Victorian looking variation of that pipe configuration and it actually has a hole in the side of the stem's tenon that matches up with the draft hole.

 

jvnshr

Moderator

Staff member

Sep 4, 2015

4,617

3,896

Baku, Azerbaijan

• Oct 30, 2017

• #11

Is there a trick for using pipe cleaners?

Click to expand...

 

M

monkfishpete

Lurker

Oct 17, 2017

7

0

• Oct 30, 2017

• #12

Thank you for the diagram Craig I'll give another go Tuesday with that in mind.

 

woodsroad

Lifer

Oct 10, 2013

12,691

20,365

SE PA USA

• Oct 30, 2017

• #13

Javan, you beat me to it.

 

jvnshr

Moderator

Staff member

Sep 4, 2015

4,617

3,896

Baku, Azerbaijan

• Oct 30, 2017

• #14

Javan, you beat me to it.

Click to expand...

There are some other threads as well, Dan. For example:
Thread: Blends That Aren't Worth Ageing

Answer: Blends that have already been aged.

 

cortezattic

Lifer

Nov 19, 2009

15,147

7,641

Chicago, IL

• Oct 30, 2017

• #15

Do what Warren advised. The short bend in the tip of the pipe cleaner will help you probe for the draft hole. But some bent pipes are just plain stubborn, and for those you'll just have to resign yourself to disassembling them for cleaning: PITA pipes.

 

crashthegrey

Lifer

Dec 18, 2015

3,892

3,995

41

Cobleskill, NY

www.greywoodie.com

• Oct 31, 2017

• #16

This was disappointing. I really wanted to see more pipe cleaner tricks. New idea for a blossoming magician?

 

craiginthecorn

Lifer

May 8, 2017

1,660

1,851

Sugar Grove, IL, USA

• Nov 2, 2017

• #17

I've never quite understood the aversion to disassembling a pipe for cleaning. I disassemble every pipe I smoke once it has cooled. I'll run a pipe cleaner as far in as possible immediately after smoking in order to remove moisture and tars, then follow-up later for more thorough cleaning before returning the pipe to storage. My Peterson system pipes and my pipes with filters simply cannot be cleaned adequately without disassembly.

 

M

monkfishpete

Lurker

Oct 17, 2017

7

0

• Nov 2, 2017

• #18

Thanks for the advise everyone I got it in there. A wee bend and that diagram did the trick!

 

cosmicfolklore

Lifer

Aug 9, 2013

34,829

79,420

Between the Heart of Alabama and Hot Springs NC

• Nov 2, 2017

• #19

Also, if you have a gurgle, but are afraid to disassemble or run a cleaner through it while smoking, you can put a finger over the bowl and sling the moisture out. It’s a great trick, especially if you’re outside. I did it in the living room when I first read about it on here, and the wife about came unglued. Ha ha.

 

M

monkfishpete

Lurker

Oct 17, 2017

7

0

• Nov 2, 2017

• #20

Good trick. I ears hurt just thinking of doing that near my wife let alone inside.