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aggravatedfarmer

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 9, 2015
865
3
Found a Pete Kaput Lovat on eBay in rough shape and it was fairly inexpensive. Put in a bid figuring I would have competition. No one else bid and I won it. So the bowl has a large crack on it and the rest of the pipe is oxidized and needs a buffing. But this crack looks pretty big. Is this pipe doomed if I were to finalize the transaction or can I resurrect the poor soul?

 

gambit88

Can't Leave
Jan 25, 2015
341
2
It could be saved. The bowl would have to be taken down to bare wood. use a high heat epoxy to fill the crack and coat the inside of the bowl. If you have any scrap briar laying around you can make some dust out of it mix with the epoxy. it will help blend the repair. There are two paths to take at this point. You could either coat the bowl with a few layers of pipe mud or use chimney/fireplace cement as a coating. I used pipe mud made of activated carbon and water on a Savinelli with a badly cracked bowl and it worked pretty well. I know at least two of the big pipe repair shops use the cement though.
Of course if you don't want to tackle the work or dont feel comfortable with it you could send it out to a repair shop.

 

aggravatedfarmer

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 9, 2015
865
3
Could you sand down the bowl until even with the crack? I've never done a resto on any pipes, though I always liked doing furniture.

 

gambit88

Can't Leave
Jan 25, 2015
341
2
That's not really a bad crack though it looks like topping may be needed as part of the repair. My savinelli was much worse. I would send it to a reputable repair guy if you go though.

 
Jan 4, 2015
1,858
11
Massachusetts
That crack isn't deep enough into the bowl that the pipe couldn't be topped to remove it and still be quite functional. The appearance will be changed but topping is probably a better option that filling. If you have any woodworking skills at all it should be something you can tackle yourself and there are plenty of people here with a lot of experience that are always willing to share. BTW the match holder is probably worth what you paid. Good luck.

 

aggravatedfarmer

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 9, 2015
865
3
I think filling it would not solve the problem here. Topping it, would provide a long term solution. Although I could be wrong. I am a amateur around woodworking tools. I can sand down furniture, make repairs, apply stains, etc. I can build as well, just not fine furniture.

 
Jan 4, 2015
1,858
11
Massachusetts
Check out some of the posts by Dave G. He's really good at salvaging what others might think was a basket case. He's always willing to give advice and in his case it's good advice. I've done a number of restorations and there isn't much that you can do to really trash a pipe and we all started somewhere. Don't hesitate to ask for help. This is a place where everyone is willing to shed a little into any process you might need to undertake. There is a lot of experience here so there's no need to re-invent the wheel. Take advantage of it.

 

bonehed

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 27, 2014
636
0
I wonder who used to live on the branch of the match holder... nifty item...

 

newbroom

Lifer
Jul 11, 2014
6,386
10,203
North Central Florida
We've got several guys on the board who could do wonders with this pipe.

When it comes to 'lost causes', I've seen ole Orley resurrect some pitiful specimens. The worse off they are, it seems, the more he likes em.

I'd say you're in pretty deep already.

 

ssjones

Moderator
Staff member
May 11, 2011
19,112
13,400
Covington, Louisiana
postimg.cc
Yep, top it and make it into a Pot!
$_57.JPG


 

mcitinner1

Lifer
Apr 5, 2014
4,043
25
Missouri
I'm not as qualified as the previous guys who said top it, but that cracked bowl looks like a perfect specimen for at least trying to fill it. If it doesn't work out then top it. George D. would tell you though that filling it will eventually fail.

 

aggravatedfarmer

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 9, 2015
865
3
I think topping it would keep me from going back to restoring it. Being the first pipe restore I would rather do that, then try to fill it and have it fail shortly there after.

 

jeepnewbie

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 12, 2013
952
157
Byron
www.facebook.com
I agree with SSJones, topping it would be the better option then you'd have a nice pot. If did you try filling it you could be looking at a larger crack down the road, then again Steve at reborn pipes has worked miracles. Keep us up to date when you get it and start on it.

 
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