An attempt to improve a Dunhill’s replacement stem.

[WorthyStewart]

I got this Dunhill a while ago and the replacement stem was not the greatest to say the least. After some reshaping and dot adding here’s the “improvement”

As I purchased

The dotting process


The final result. The only thing I regret is bumping up from 1/16” to 5/64”
The 1/16” matched an old patent pipe I had bud seemed like it was going to be too small. I was also having trouble with the celluloid melting on me trying to get it down to one sixteenth. Overall I think it looks better. Obviously not a perfect Dunhill replacement but I don’t have the stuff to make stems but maybe someday. I’d love to try that’s for sure.

 

[WorthyStewart]

Also does that look centered to you guys? There is a great debate going on over this and I need this settled please.

 

[sablebrush52]

Also does that look centered to you guys? There is a great debate going on over this and I need this settled please.

Looks pretty damned close to me. Making an absolute decision off of a photograph that's not dead center level lined up is not possible.

 

[orlandofurioso]

As Jesse said + you used celluloid, not acrylic !
Did you work on the button ?

 

[WorthyStewart]

As Jesse said + you used celluloid, not acrylic !
Did you work on the button ?

It’s a patent pipe from 1945 so I figured that the celluloid would be a more accurate colored dot. I work the button some but it was cut in crooked to begin with and not much on there to shape so I did what I could

 

[orlandofurioso]

Celluloid is correct, ivory is a myth.
Can you post a picture of the slot ?

 

[WorthyStewart]

Celluloid is correct, ivory is a myth.
Can you post a picture of the slot ?

Right. The slot got modified as well. I wish I took more pictures before I started this process. I honestly thought I did but I only have the one I posted.

 

[orlandofurioso]

Right. The slot got modified as well. I wish I took more pictures before I started this process. I honestly thought I did but I only have the one I posted.
You show talent and skill

 

[Sig]

If I bought that pipe I would never know it was a replacement. I believe that's true of most mortal pipers.
From what I see in the pictures anyways. Good job.

 

[WorthyStewart]

If I bought that pipe I would never know it was a replacement. I believe that's true of most mortal pipers.
From what I see in the pictures anyways. Good job.

This means a lot. I’ve been messing around with restoring for about a year and really would like to get into repairs. I appreciate it.