Stem won't budge now!

bobdobbs · Mar 3, 2011

So when I first inspected my Peterson Donegal when it arrived, the stem was a little tight but still removable. After smoking it, however, I cannot seem to budge it anymore. Shouldn't be too much of a problem being an unfiltered straight stem, but it kind of bugs me all the same. Has anyone else had this problem?

dd951 · Mar 3, 2011

Let our pipe cool down before removing the stem. If it is still A little tight, rub a pencil over the tenon, the graphit well keep it A little looser

papipeguy · Mar 3, 2011

I've had issues with tight stem. Be very careful when twisting it out. You may want to put it in the fridge for a while to shrink the stem. If you have some bees's wax put a little on the stem before you re-insert it. It should be fine from that point.

bobdobbs · Mar 3, 2011

Heh, I meant to say hours after smoking. I think i just figured it out. Seems as though it wants to be twisted counterclockwise. Thanks for the response though

bobdobbs · Mar 3, 2011

Huh, didn't know the frige would do that. Will keep that in mind

thanks!

puffintuff · Mar 3, 2011

I had that same problem with a Pete also. I ended up wrapping the stem in a paper towel and taking a pair of pliers to it. I sanded down the tenon with some high

grit sandpaper and it works fine now.

bootlegbonvivant · Mar 3, 2011

Yeah, fridge/freezer is always a good approach to a stubbornly stiff stem. I should've done this the other day working on a pipe...ended up snapping the tenon off in the shank. DOH!

strongirish · Mar 3, 2011

A coouple of hours in the freezer works wonders in loosening a stem. Works everytime.

gecko13 · Mar 3, 2011

I usually put mine in a vise, crank it down, and grab the stem with a pair of vise grips. Stem comes right out.

jimbo · Mar 3, 2011

Long ago, I got in the habit of turning counterclockwise when removing a pipe stem. The old Grabows, etc. that had a threaded metal joint required that of course, and it seems to be a good habit to get into. I remove all my stems with a counterclockwise twist and put them back on with a clockwise twist... tenon, army mount, whatever.

forsooth · Mar 3, 2011

I've got a Stanwell that has a perfectly fitting stem....unless it gets cold. Then I can "twirl" the stem in the shank with my finger.

unclearthur · Mar 3, 2011

With pipe stems we are dealing with two things that have a large expansion contraction difference. The briar is effected by humidity, heat,cold the phase of the moon , the time of year and the birth sign of the carver (I think ). The vulcanite on the other hand is fairly stable. I find that sticking a pipe with a stuck stem in the freezer for a bit is the safest way to remove it. Then I give the tenon a liberal scribble of pencil graphite.

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