A Question for georged

[huntertrw]

Never being one to be above doing something stupid, recently I waxed a beloved, old, Dunhill Shell Briar LB pipe, (Group Four size), then warmed the wax with a hair-dryer to help it it disperse evenly and absorb. I've done this in the past on a number of my pipes with nary a problem, but this time I heard a pop and was horrified to find a vertical crack in the right-hand side of the pipe running from the rim 3/4 of the way down.

My question to you is this: Is such a crack repairable, or have I inadvertently killed a good friend? Please let me know.

To all Forums members: Don't let this happen to you!

 

[georged]

Never being one to be above doing something stupid, recently I waxed a beloved, old, Dunhill Shell Briar LB pipe, (Group Four size), then warmed the wax with a hair-dryer to help it it disperse evenly and absorb. I've done this in the past on a number of my pipes with nary a problem, but this time I heard a pop and was horrified to find a vertical crack in the right-hand side of the pipe running from the rim 3/4 of the way down.

My question to you is this: Is such a crack repairable, or have I inadvertently killed a good friend? Please let me know.

The pop from heating with a hair dryer just means it was ready to go from ANY heat source that caused the necessary expansion/stress. Hair dryers are nothing compared to paint stripper heat guns, and pipe makers and repairmen use them routinely for drying stain, melting wax, etc. without problems.

By coincidence one of my favorite LBs---a 1949 Shell---also has a vertical bowl crack.

The fun part? It's been there over 30 years, and affects nothing. I treat the pipe no differently than any other.

So, I guess it boils down to how much NOT messing with it will bother you. Meaning just smoke the pipe and hold off messing with rim bands and such unless the crack worsens.

But if that "feels wrong" and you'd rather get ahead of it, well, there's your answer.

 

[brooklynpiper]

Georged almost makes it sound cool!

 

[AJL67]

Never being one to be above doing something stupid, recently I waxed a beloved, old, Dunhill Shell Briar LB pipe, (Group Four size), then warmed the wax with a hair-dryer to help it it disperse evenly and absorb. I've done this in the past on a number of my pipes with nary a problem, but this time I heard a pop and was horrified to find a vertical crack in the right-hand side of the pipe running from the rim 3/4 of the way down.

My question to you is this: Is such a crack repairable, or have I inadvertently killed a good friend? Please let me know.

To all Forums members: Don't let this happen to you!

Do you have a pic of said tragedy, not that i can fix it or have any input, just interesting to see those kind of things that happen to pipes, for future reference and general knowledge, thanks.

 

[huntertrw]

georged:

Thank-you for your prompt response. I have two of these pipes (they are nearly identical twins), but I had I had put off smoking this one for fear that I would worsen the damage. I will smoke it this weekend and see how it performs. Since you've gotten along well for so long with yours, I should be able to do likewise.

AJL67:

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon your point of view) I have a dumb-phone that does not allow me to take images that may be posted on line.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Does it take images at all? If not, time for an iPhone 15.....

No one get panties bunched.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I also have an LB with a vertical bowl crack… I smoke it with no issues. When it goes it goes, but so far no issues.

 

[greeneyes]

I have one such cracked Dunhill. I didn't realize leaving it be was an option, and now I wish I had.

I wonder, though, wouldn't putting material inside the crack serve as something of a "wedge" for future heat-cool cycles to propagate the crack further downward? I'd toyed with the idea of putting gold in a crack but thought it might wedge and worsen the crack.

 

[Zero]

I got caught up in the moment and wanted to share in the cool experience, so I took a hammer to one of my cobs. To my surprise and horror, it bled out I feel like I truly killed a friend, not a best friend... but a sentient being. I'm sooooo sorry, r.i.p...(won't do that again).

 

[Sobrbiker]

I’ve been vacillating beteeen sweating and not sweating this crack on one of my Lee pears, looks like “not sweating” it is the route I’ll be taking…

 

[JimInks]

I’ve been vacillating beteeen sweating and not sweating this crack on one of my Lee pears, looks like “not sweating” it is the route I’ll be taking…
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I have found that to be the best way myself.