Rounded Stem Face Solution

danielplainview

Lifer

Mar 30, 2014

2,853

78

wv

• May 1, 2016

• #1

I thought I'd share this simple trick for fixing a rounded stem face. Someone had gone overboard with compound and a buffer on this stem. Mowed the button, rhondell flat and rounded the end of the stem face.
I think anyone interested in these repairs, knows or has seen the thread on patching stems so I'll skip the button rebuild.

I drilled a hole the same diameter as the tennon in my sanding stick and used 400 grit to sharpen the stem face.

 

scrooge

Lifer

Apr 24, 2015

1,341

14

• May 1, 2016

• #2

Great job. Nice trick also. But it looks like somebody owes you a new sanding stick. LOL!

 

newbroom

Lifer

Jul 11, 2014

6,109

6,596

Florida

• May 1, 2016

• #3

Sanding stick? Who knew? I've been using half a clothes pin and holding the paper with my fingers. Not so much fun.

I just got my first set of micro mesh pads, and wonder why I waited so long.

I've been playing with em, on some of my stems as I play online poker and without working overly hard have perked up a bunch of stems to my great delight at the outcomes.

I really haven't been attempting perfection like a few of you 'experts', but maybe that will come in time?

The best toy I've had in a while.

Softees? The heck with those damned things. Who are you saving your stem for? Don't tell me that those rubber gaskets are comfortable.

Give me a slim, smooth stem with a nice button and NO hose guard. If my stems get dirty, scratched, or dingy, I can bring them back with no problem.

Small successes in the moments we dedicate to the hobby enrich the experience.

 

ssjones

Moderator

Staff member

May 11, 2011

18,411

11,303

Maryland

postimg.cc

• May 1, 2016

• #4

That is a great solution Dave. I've tried to do this freehand, but that doesn't work. I'll try that technique on the next opportunity.

 

jpmcwjr

Moderator

Staff member

May 12, 2015

24,708

27,310

Carmel Valley, CA

• May 1, 2016

• #5

Confused about what I think I see. The sand paper appears to have both a hole for the tenon and a smooth(?) brownish ring around it about the width of the stem. Do you rotate the stem, or the sanding stick, or both?

 

danielplainview

Lifer

Mar 30, 2014

2,853

78

wv

• May 1, 2016

• #6

@jpm
I held the stem firmly in place and twisted in a circle.

 

smoothsailing

Starting to Get Obsessed

Oct 7, 2013

271

8

Perth N.Y. (Adirondack area )

• May 2, 2016

• #7

Dave- great solution to an annoying problem, like Al I've tried it freehand with less then satisfactory results. I have a few in the spear parts box that may be salvageable now. Thanks for sharing, your tips have saved a pipe or two in the past.

 

papipeguy

Lifer

Jul 31, 2010

15,778

35

Bethlehem, Pa.

• May 2, 2016

• #8

Very cool and simple solution. Thanks for the tip.

 

ejames

Lifer

Oct 6, 2009

3,916

22

• May 2, 2016

• #9

A word of caution if you do this. If a stem has a taper that starts at the point where it meets the shank you could--if you take to much off the face of the stem-- end up with the stem to shank registration being off. In other words the stem will be a slightly smaller diameter than the shank. You could be correcting one problem only to create another. Go slowly and check the registration often.

 

danielplainview

Lifer

Mar 30, 2014

2,853

78

wv

• May 2, 2016

• #10

Ed you're right. I only tested this on one stem before using it on the GBD. Both stems were roughly the same shape.
I always recommend trying any new ideas on a test pipe first.

 

shikano53

Lifer

May 26, 2015

2,061

8,085

• May 2, 2016

• #11

Great thread, thanks for the information.

 

gloucesterman

Lifer

Jan 4, 2015

1,858

11

Massachusetts

• May 2, 2016

• #12

Thanks for the tip. I'll put that in my bag of tricks. Dutch

 

ssjones

Moderator

Staff member

May 11, 2011

18,411

11,303

Maryland

postimg.cc

• May 2, 2016

• #13

Yes, I knew there had to be a point no return. As always, measure twice, cut once!

 

agnosticpipe

Lifer

Nov 3, 2013

3,345

3,483

In the sticks in Mississippi

• May 2, 2016

• #14

I was glad to see this info about finishing a stem that has been rounded at the shoulder. I don't have a sanding stick, but I'm sure I can cobble something together. I did use this process on a pipe shank that was rounded off, and even though I didn't have a peg to center it, just keeping is flat and working slowly in a circle worked fine. Thanks for the post Dave!

 

posaydal

Lurker

Dec 6, 2015

42

0

Serbia

• May 10, 2016

• #15

Mate, that is simply ingenious. You have no idea how big of a problem you have just solved for me, and it's so simple. Thanks! I think i love you! :D