Balsa incerts.

[ben88]

Do you cut your own?

 

[alaskanpiper]

Nope.

 

[Olkofri]

Trim them only, as they are too long for my MacQueen churchwarden. It's impossible to get balsa sheets in this city.

 

[weezell]

Not worth the hassle versus buying to me...

 

[didimauw]

I'm new to the balsa filter world, but I have wondered about trying to make my own. But it would be much easier to just add some to my up coming tobacco orders.

 

[Olkofri]

For us Canadians, cutting our own is a real way to save money. I've been using the balsa filters sold by Missouri Meerschaum (I've also a pack of Savinellis, which I'm yet to use), which fit their filtered cobs and my MQ churchie, but of course reordering them is not gonna be cheap. Balsa filters for 9 mm pipes are very expensive at $40 USD per pack, plus shipping, plus possible duties—especially at the current exchange rate.

 

[balkisobrains]

 

[ben88]

Do you just mod the Savinelli insert? Or cut it from "from the scratch"?

 

[balkisobrains]

Do you just mod the Savinelli insert? Or cut it from "from the scratch"?

The two on the left were cut from 1/4" square strips. The one on the right was cut from a 1/4" triangle strip. The triangle strips cost about twice as much ($2 for a 36" strip) but are easier to work with. In general, I avoid the really soft pithy balsa strips & try to get ones that are a little more dense, but still softer than basswood. The filters end up about 1 1/4" long, 1/4" wide, & between 3/8" to 1/4" tall.

 

[luigi]

I buy the biggest pack I can get, it's 200 or 300 filters. Those small Savinelli bags with italian flag on them are a steal.

 

[mikethompson]

The only filters I have ever bought are the Brigham ones, which were only a few bucks from the local smoke shop. I can't I at One they'd be any cheaper if I cut my own balsa tube.

 

[downsouth]

You're talking all of $30 for 300 6mm Savinelli filters, at one per day, that's about 10 months worth, or $3 per month...I'd rather spend my time at one of my beach houses or here in the mountains than cutting my own filters.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Certs, with Retsin!
Two mints in one!

 

[bnichols23]

The only filters I have ever bought are the Brigham ones, which were only a few bucks from the local smoke shop. I can't I at One they'd be any cheaper if I cut my own balsa tube.

I've got a bit of a grump right now, but it's my own fault. Pushed just a smidge too hard & now the insert (Sav brand) in my '18 half-bent St. Nick is stuck so far in now that I can't even ease it out with Tweezers, a cleaner, or a Leatherman. I'm going to have to try a stiffer flexible wire from the other end, or crook a straight pin, or very thin nail to be able have a shot at getting it out by shreds.

 

[bnichols23]

Certs, with Retsin!
Two mints in one!

Nut. }

 

[ben88]

I've got a bit of a grump right now, but it's myt own fault. Pushed just a smidge too hard & now the insert (Sav brand) in my '18 half-bent St. Nick is stuck so far in now that I can't even ease it out with Tweezers, a cleaner, or a Leatherman. I'm going to have to try a stiffer flexible wire from the other end, or crook a straight pin, or very thin nail to be able have a shot at getting it out by shreds.

Put it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes and try again. If you haven't tried it yet, of cause.

 

[bnichols23]

Put it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes and try again. If you haven't tried it yet, of cause.

Tnx, will give it a shot. At this point anytning's worth a try (other than breaking the stem, of course!

 

[didimauw]

So now that I have been using the Savinelli balsa filters regularly, I have been re using them. I let them dry, and the next day they are good to go again. However I noticed that they have been shrinking in size...

 

[jpmcwjr]

I've got a bit of a grump right now, but it's my own fault. Pushed just a smidge too hard & now the insert (Sav brand) in my '18 half-bent St. Nick is stuck so far in now that I can't even ease it out with Tweezers, a cleaner, or a Leatherman. I'm going to have to try a stiffer flexible wire from the other end, or crook a straight pin, or very thin nail to be able have a shot at getting it out by shreds.

You may have luck by letting it dry out significantly. It should shrink a tad, as well as be firmer to grip.

 

[Olkofri]

Can filters be ghosted? I've been unwilling to reuse my balsa filters because I don't wanna be tasting the previous blend.