Two Ashtons and a Birthyear Dunhill

Old stems sick.
Sick is bad.

.

.
New stems healthy (and prettier!)
Healthy and prettier is good. :D

.

.
(No. I haven't lost what little mind I have left, I'm just having a bit of fun. The pipes belong to a Kevinboard member and I thought I'd let him know the work is done here to see how long it takes him to notice. :mrgreen: It's now 17:43 CDT )

Damn.
I went to the kitchen to start my toaster oven and boil water for some tea, then came straight back.
Color me impressed. :lol:

You know how much I love the process, so here are the peek-behind-the-curtain pics for this job. (I keep hoping someone will get interested enough to want to pick up where I leave off with all this. Gettin' old, the me.)

George, you taking on an apprentice?

Click to expand...

That would be the "perfect world" solution, but I don't have the layout/situation for it. My shop is IN my house, and occupies 75% of it. I also work on and off in 1-2 hr chunks from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. (hand & eye rest)
So, any "apprentice" sort of thing would have to be online and via phone. A coach/mentor who could give direction and help solve problems.
No one I've come across already has the equipment necessary for hardcore repair and stem-making, though. (Refurb & cleanup requires only a small percentage of the tools and supplies of a full-on repair shop). There are several true repair shops already out there, of course, but---in my experience, anyway---they aren't interested in dealing with high dollar collectables and "collectable grade" work. It IS fussy and stressful, so I can't fault anyone for avoiding the minefield. RonniB would be the exception---he thrives on tough jobs and his workmanship is first class---but the last time I talked to him he was out of the game until further notice.
There are a number of current pipe makers who have the chops to do the collectable grade gig, but none I know of have the tools or the desire (the tool setup is quite different). More hassle, more stress, and less money are the usual reasons given.
Anyway, that's the story. Much of the reason I post behind-the-scenes photos from time to time is because I'm "fishing." This site gets a lot of traffic, and someone might pass through who finds themselves intrigued by the repair biz, and shoots me a PM. Stranger things have happened. :lol:
Thanks for asking, waterdoctor :D