Acceptable Filler for Stem Repair?

[nuclearfishin]

Title edited for capitalization. Please read Rule 9.


I have an amphora i restored from an estate sale, I really like the pipe but there's a hole in the stem that needs repair. What's an acceptable filler for vulvanite? I have black CA but that seems like it shouldn't go in your mouth. I also have a black clay I use in guitar making but I'm not sure if that will bond with the vulcanite. Any recommendations? Here are some pics of the before and after.

 

[cynyr]

Reborn Pipes uses CA glue to repair holes.

 

[nuclearfishin]

Reborn Pipes uses CA glue to repair holes.

The hole is in a location on the stem that will go in your mouth--so CA is ok?

 

[cynyr]

Yup. Unbelievable how hard that stuff gets. I mean, don't chew on it, but it's otherwise safe.

I got a little dot of it on the side of my Kindle, and have been picking at it for weeks with no result. Look at a few of Steve's posts where he used the technique to see how it's done.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Can’t see the hole, but CA is fine.
I’ve fixed a few with it and it is serviceable, but can crack later down the line depending on what kind of a fix it was. Will show up as vulcanite ages/oxidizes.
G flex epoxy is what some of the best guys in the biz use-has more “give” to it.

 

[bullet08]

Sounds like the hole's right by the button. Probably a tooth mark that has worn out. Nope, I don't do repairs on my. I'll probably ruin it with my luck.

 

[sablebrush52]

CA can fall off. There’s better ways to do it. Maybe @georged can tell you what to use.

 

[nuclearfishin]

Thanks guys for the advise--i'm new to the pipe world but have been a woodworker for 40 years and have used CA forever in many different applications. I know it's tough enough, but I'm not convinced it's OK to put in your mouth. I just ordered some food safe epoxy and black mica powder and will try that first. There's a dental version of CA that's safe for your mouth, but you can't buy it without a license.

 

[huntertrw]

I just ordered some food safe epoxy and black mica powder...

I believe that what most pipe-repair specialists use (in lieu of the black mica you mentioned above) is Vulcanite powder filed from an old donor stem.

 

[nuclearfishin]

I believe that what most pipe-repair specialists use (in lieu of the black mica you mentioned above) is Vulcanite powder filed from an old donor stem.

Ah, that makes perfect sense. I'll try that from one of my orphan stems.

After further research it does appear like CA is safe enough once cured, assuming the temps in the stem aren't enough to create formaldehyde that can occur under heat.

 

[huntertrw]

Regarding mica, the dermreview.com states, in part: "The main risk associated with mica is inhalation. Mica can be dangerous if it is inhaled because the particles can get into the lungs and cause scarring. Thus, any powder or aerosol products containing mica are the most concerning. However, safety concerns generally focus on those who are working with mica in an industrial setting." Here is a link to the full article.

 

[nuclearfishin]

Here's some pics of the repair. I'm pretty happy how it turned out.

 

[huntertrw]

Well done, Sir!

 

[Sobrbiker]

Nice!

 

[jhowell]

Good job!

 

[Briarcutter]

For what's it's worth, I've talked to a CA manufacturer on the phone and he told me CA was non toxic when dried. I guess that means don't put it in your mouth when wet?