$2.00 Tamper

[doktorziplok]

while browsing menard's, looking for tamper fodder, i found some turned pegs next to the dowel rods. i picked up a two pack and headed over to the plumbing department to match up a copper cap.
this is what i came up with:

the pegs need to be trimmed a little; a few seconds with a hand saw.

the cap slides on a little tightly, friction would probably keep it there...i added a couple drops of epoxy just to be safe.

this is just the beginning! some staining or flaming or painting and a finish coat are needed.
the pegs were 2 for ~$1.75 and the copper cap was $.89. not too shabby, i say.

 

[teufelhund]

Not too shabby at all. :wink:

 

[winton]

Cool idea. It also looks comfortable in the hand.

 

[Briar Boy]

Good thinking and economical too!

 

[rosney]

astrange1
I dont think rothnh meant anything harsh by his post. I think he was just sharing his opinion. I think that if you hang arount a while you will find that he is one of the most helpful members on the forum. That has been my experience at least.
edit: nevermind, comment gone

 

[doktorziplok]

You know what -- slap me silly, but I don't see what the draw or interest is in tampers at all.
Sorry, super silly to me.
I use the business end of my pipe tool. Always have. The last thing I need is another item to add to my damn pipe bag.
Tamper = a pretty toy, both unnecessary & useless IMO.

dang, rothnh.

i think you're entitled to your opinion, but i disagree.

cool things, like tampers, are one aspect some of us enjoy.

k?

 

[ghost]

Very cool idea!

 

[teufelhund]

My motto is always to each their own; until it's their way or the highway... lol Personally I don't have a single one, I just use my pipe tool or the one that pops out of the bottom of my old boy. However I saw one on here made from an antler and shell casing that would be pretty awesome. Especially if I took some hide from the buck I got last fall and made a pipe rollout and some tobacco pouches. Sure would go well with my moccassins :wink:

 

[rosney]

I should have also commented on the original post. I really like it. Is copper cap soft enough that you could leave a little space between it and the wood so it could be kind of domed? It would look really nice stained dark to contrast the shiny copper.

 

[doktorziplok]

I should have also commented on the original post. I really like it. Is copper cap soft enough that you could leave a little space between it and the wood so it could be kind of domed? It would look really nice stained dark to contrast the shiny copper.

i suppose it is soft enough, although you'd have to find a form to pound it against to get it into the shape you want. the thing i liked about the 3/8" cap (as compared to the other sizes) is that it was flat. the other sizes were convex.
agreed about the dark/copper contrast. i'm trying a blue/black mix, in an attempt to match my favorite fountain pen ink (waterman's blue-black).

 

[ejames]

That is slicker'n snot !! I like it! May have to head for Home Depot! I love tampers and pipe tools. Have maybe 2 dozen,some handmade,some factory made.Love making them as well. I carry a Czech.Keep a couple here on the desk made by members of this forum. Got a couple of pipe nails down at the work bench.

 

[fnord]

I'm with Ed, Herr Doktor. I love a tamper and I use pipe tools, nails, digits and, my favorites, a couple of deer antler/cartridge casings one of my best friends made for me.
Your Menard's idea is clever as hell. Well done, man.
Fnord

 

[igloo]

I would lose it faster than I could make it , but it is still cool and best of all inexpensive .

 

[rogermugs]

i'm a big fan of the large-flat headed nail. a la this:

cheap, replaceable.... and useful when you've a friend around you'd like to scar.

 

[gmwolford]

I love tampers, too. I mostly use a Czech pipe tool so if I loose it I can replace it easily. Buy I keep the handmade ones in a drawer where I know where they are and use them often when I'm relaxing indoors. Love the variety of styles and colors and textures of handmade ones.
The hardware store idea it a great one! Love the look of copper on anything and really like it on this. I, too, may have to try this out!

 

[wildcat]

Cool idea and cool tamper!

 

[blacksmith]

Very creative I've got to say, well done!

 

[tbradsim1]

. Son made this one for me. The old cajun

 

[ugh457]

you could morph that tamper into a fire piston, then have a backup source to light up ... ???? ... could work maybe

 

[olewaylon]

you have a good eye for piecing that together.