A Hilson Curve Drilled

[cosmicfolklore]

It has come up a few times, curved drill bits, and when I saw that Skip had gotten in a few more of these, I just had to have one. I'm no fan of this bowl shape, especially in a bent pipe, but I just had to have an example of this unique drilling that Hilson used to do. I double checked, laser pointer, flash light, and pipe cleaner, it's drilled on a curve for sure.
These were made by Hilson when they were still a young company, sometimes around the 60's, and these stummels were bought by a company in Holland that stamped them with just "Holland". Skip at the Briary tracks these down from a guy he knows and still has a few of these in stock. And, dammit, no one had better get the huge one, because I have plans for that one. But, they are stained and all have excellent and interesting grain, but no wax, just fine sanding. A beauty!
I have a curved drill bit for stone, but it is very small and I used it till the bit is just worn to a nub. They work with a paddle drill on a flexible cable inside of a wound flexible but stiff coil. The coil can be bent to any shape and the paddle bit cuts the hole into any curves you want and the curved cables just follow and guide the bit. I'm very happy to have an example of this, even if it does remind me of one of those old timey big wheeled bicycles and handlebar mustaches, ha ha.

I'm about to load this up with some Haddos delight and smoke it to bed. I hope you all have a great evening.

Happy Smokes!!! ::

 

[daimyo]

Nice one Cosmic, it does conjure up some classic scenes. Be sure to let us know how it treats you. :puffpipe:

 

[danielplainview]

Very Nice. That's a great looking pipe.

 

[ssjones]

Can you post a picture of your curved bit? I like that shape and finish.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I will, but I will have to go to my lapidary shed this evening to dig it out. Mine is worn out, but it should give you a good idea of what these look like, on a smaller scale.

 

[buroak]

Hilson made some neat pipes. That one is certainly among them.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Looks like a beautiful pipe Has some serious curves. Enjoy!

 

[saltedplug]

Cavicchi bents pass cleaners; all of them, for all I know. Whatever the percent of his success in this area, I'm thinking he might use a curved drill. No one else seems to make bents that way, which is a shame. It would seem that making a more graceful path for the smoke to take, would tempt carvers to take the extra step.