2004 Ashton Pebble Grain - Needs Re-Drilling - Pic Heavy

[ashdigger]

I recently picked up the Ashson 2004 Pebble Grain Chimney and after getting it, I noticed a couple of odd things. The Bowl isn't drilled on center, not a life or death issue, but the shank isn't drilled true. It's still smokes "okay" but I know where it's going... to get re-drilled, if that's possible.




And now for the Killer

 

[shutterbugg]

For some reason, Ashton has long had a reputation for poor drilling. Apparently the drilling procedure was passed down through apprenticeship so the current guy is as bad as the original. Too bad because otherwise they're halfway decent pipes.

 

[georged]

Re-drilling isn't a option, I'm afraid. Cutting a "pipecleaner ramp" is all the pipe needs, though.
Also, the stem was probably originally bent a little on that pipe, not straight.

 

[ashdigger]

Well George, it looks like another is coming your way. :lol:

 

[eduardovieira]

Pipe not functional. :crying: This is the most important part of a pipe, a proper alignment of the airflow

 

[georged]

Pipe not functional. :crying: This is the most important part of a pipe, a proper alignment of the airflow

Being a tool geek who loves precision and fine workmanship, I sympathize with your sentiment, but the non-functional conclusion doesn't follow. Airflow "alignment" is an imaginary ideal at best, and has very little to do with smoking quality in any event. (Meaning flavor, burn rate, etc.)
If you count pipe cleaner ease-of-use as part of smoking, it's arguably a problem for people whose smoking style and/or chosen blend creates a wetness issue, but that's about it.

 

[eduardovieira]

I agree with you Georged. :D but...

I bought pipes where I had to open the diameter of the air.

One of my pipes the air hole is more than 4mm "diameter" and it smokes badly.

One of them has the air hole ending up the chamber and does not burn the whole tobacco.

I think the airflow is very important and real, in my opinion :puffpipe:

 

[jpberg]

I bought a beautiful looking Ashton a few years ago. All it took was a trip to Alberta, and Bannard made it smoke as good as it looked.

 

[eduardovieira]

Maybe it's best to send him to a pipe repairer, I think they should be able to improve. I hope!!! :crazy: it's a nice pipe :puffpipe:

 

[ssjones]

Size of the draft hole and alignment are two different issues.
I'm in George's camp on alignment, it's just not that critical.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

That bowl sure looks like it's partially burned out.
The draft looks like it's quite precisely drilled the way that it is, the depth of the bowl is perfect, I can imagine the carver was trying to maintain thickness at the heel of the pipe.
I've only got two Ashton pipes but I'm betting the button deserves more attention than the shank.

 

[alexnorth]

I had a Peterson which was drilled the same way, albeit it was a bent 80s shape. There was a small gap between the tenon and stem inside the mortise that the smoke went through with no problem. A tiny bit of whistling perhaps and no passing of a cleaner. Is there a gap in your pipe or does the tenon press up against the wood?

 

[ssjones]

That bowl sure looks like it's partially burned out.

I'm not seeing that.

 

[ashdigger]

The bowl is not even remotely burned out. It's in fantastic shape. The pipe is headed to GeorgeD for repair and stem work. It looks like this will be my last Ashton, since the five I have are enough. Isn't that what we tell ourselves.
Here's another one.....this one is fantastic

 

[pitchfork]

I had a Taylor Ashton drilled high in the mortise just like that and it smoked like a dream.

 

[ashdigger]

Pitchfork, I think if it were a standard height bowl it would be okay, but since it's a chimney it gurgles about halfway down. I realize it could be my smoking style also. I've smoked it about ten times and every time it becomes a problem about halfway down the bowl. Plus, I can't get a cleaner to go through.
It really becomes a problem if I set the pipe down and come back to it after half an hour or so.....it's a wet mess with no fix.
But who knows, maybe I'm just a rank amateur.

 

[pitchfork]

The proof is in the pudding. Sometimes "wrong" works just fine, like my old Ashton, but it sounds like that isn't the case here. Sometimes wrong really is wrong!
A bit of ramping might help, but it could be the stem (is it an Ashton stem?). I have a Nachwalter that is drilled wrong, but the replacement stem by Ronnie B made up for any remaining airway issues.

 

[ashdigger]

Pitch, I've had a conversation with George about two other Ashtons of mine he has and it's definitely a deficiency in stem work from the Ashton folks.
I'm looking forward to smoking them after he "fixes" them.

 

[saltedplug]

Accurate drilling is very high on my list. If I pay $50.00 for an estate, I can accept this, but anything over $100.00 with such a flaw is promptly returned.

 

[dmcmtk]

The Bowl isn't drilled on center, not a life or death issue...

And additionally reamed well out of round. That's one to be careful with.