I just missed that but you can assume by the amount of scooped out gunk on the cotton padsI notice there are no photos of the system sump/well before cleaning,were they to bad for public consumption?
Going on the amount of cake/lava I assume the pipe hadnt had much cleaning in its previous life
congratulations on a great job
@ssjones i forgot to send photos of the buffing wheel set up. Also I just managed to attach a 200mm cotton wheel on the smaller machine, which has variable speed. That’s a giant upgrade for me!I think your photos are so large in size, they take a long time to load up. All are visible now. And, the forum seemed to be running slow this AM, better now.
You made the right move on the bowl top and beveling the edge. Finish looks smashing! You did all the buffing with that little nail gun?


Wow, love it.PART 7
For everyone, who followed along, I have a fun behind the scenes fact. For some reason I decided to smoke the pipe for the first time right after I finished writing and posting this thread, almost 24 hours after I finished the pipe.
Now I can enjoy the final results along with you while I smoke this Pete's resurrection bowl.
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What brand of stain are you using? Also, you say you use a paste for buffing, what kind of paste?PART 5
Before moving to the cleaning section, I did some more work on the edge of the rim
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I had to put a very slight bevel on it in order to make it presentable.
Cleaning the chamber was a breeze at this point, since it was already sanded - just a paper towel with alcohol.
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There were some grooves left from a previous rough ream but nothing problematic.
For cleaning the airway and the mortis I use alcohol and a random pipe balm solution from Huber store I got from one of my last lots. It is nothing special - just red alcohol if you ask me. Then I switch between pipe cleaners, q tips and paper towels. The biggest game changer for me was using a pick? From a Vauen Automatic tamper to scoop up all the softened gunk - no joke this small tool saves me at least 20 pipe cleaners per pipe.
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In the next two photos you will see everything I used to get the really dirty airflow and mortis in progression - top to bottom left to right. Please mark the cotton pads where I cleaned the pick and you can count how many scoops of goop was there….
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The last pipe cleaner, q tip and paper towel were the only dry test.
With that out of the way it was time for the 1000 sandpaper and re-staining. I went for Dark brown but only one layer with 2 extra layer for balance.
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After sanding with 1000 - a this point I also brush over the engravings, it doesn’t take away material just the top layer of previous stain.
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Taped up the silver ring and we are ready for a round with the buffing wheel - one paste, a couple of minutes.
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My current setup did not allow me to reach all the way, so it was time for my beloved electric nail drill.View attachment 399109
Continues in PART 6
Feebling's for stain, but the compound is unknown unfortunately.. it's quite soft if that helpsWhat brand of stain are you using? Also, you say you use a paste for buffing, what kind of paste?
Is the compound the yellow-ish brick in the last photo where you are using the nail drill?Feebling's for stain, but the compound is unknown unfortunately.. it's quite soft if that helps
Ok my process has changed a bit since this post, but yes it's the more faded mustard color one. It is a very fine and oily one and used very lightly and for a short amount of time on a very soft and slow wheel? I wouldn't even call it proper buffing, since it doesn't take away almost any material - it just smooths out my final very fine sandpaper work. Same with the carnauba wax at the end - i don't really layer it, it's an ultra thin layer that just fills up the microscopic gaps in the surface so after the pipe is smoked it gets warmed up and absorbs either in the briar or your hands and leaves a nice satin finish. I guess you could do multiple thick layers of carnauba if you like that ultra glossy look.Is the compound the yellow-ish brick in the last photo where you are using the nail drill?
The brick looks to be like white diamond polishing rouge compound. Thanks for your replies. I'm going to start trying to restore a few of my estate pipes, and this info is very helpful.Ok my process has changed a bit since this post, but yes it's the more faded mustard color one. It is a very fine and oily one and used very lightly and for a short amount of time on a very soft and slow wheel? I wouldn't even call it proper buffing, since it doesn't take away almost any material - it just smooths out my final very fine sandpaper work. Same with the carnauba wax at the end - i don't really layer it, it's an ultra thin layer that just fills up the microscopic gaps in the surface so after the pipe is smoked it gets warmed up and absorbs either in the briar or your hands and leaves a nice satin finish. I guess you could do multiple thick layers of carnauba if you like that ultra glossy look.
Yes i still have the pipe, I will take some measurements for you when I get back home. Fair warning though - they will be in units that make sense, so you will have to do your own conversionsDo you know the dimensions of this pipe and its chamber by any chance ? Just curious as to its size. Thanks.
they will be in units that make sense
I prefer mm's if that's an option ! Thanks !Yes i still have the pipe, I will take some measurements for you when I get back home. Fair warning though - they will be in units that make sense, so you will have to do your own conversions![]()
