I have an antique meer with the screw in stem. It looks like it no longer indexes to the correct position and the collar has a epoxy showing. I'm sure someone tried a bad repair. My question is if you do the bone stem removal and go nylon push tenon is the old stem not usable now? Like can they put a nylon in it as well even though it's amber? Or do you just go with the modern stem?
Bone Stem Removal?
- Thread starter Sharp_tungsten
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A bunch of points to consider.
1. Anything is possible.
2. Try Teflon plumbing tape to “shim” the gaps. See this.
3. If you drill out the bone tenon and insert delrin, if the stem is big enough to accept the mating part, if you go extremely slow and carefully it potentially can work.
4. Old Amber is extremely brittle.
5. How historically accurate are you hoping for.
1. Anything is possible.
2. Try Teflon plumbing tape to “shim” the gaps. See this.
Clocking Stems with Teflon :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance
Here’s a quick tip. If you smoke pipes from the age of the Stinger Wars many times the pipes have “stem clocking” issues. Old Meers with Bone Tenons have this issue too. Sometimes you can heat the stinger or other such “semi invasive” remedies, but I’ve have that occasionally destroy a pipe...
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3. If you drill out the bone tenon and insert delrin, if the stem is big enough to accept the mating part, if you go extremely slow and carefully it potentially can work.
4. Old Amber is extremely brittle.
5. How historically accurate are you hoping for.
job to say without pictures,but my advice would be leave well alone and go with @ashdiggers advice and shim.
Old amber is VERY brittle and will likely shatter when an attempt to drill and tap it is made.
Also if it an amber stem,bone tenon it is likely an old pipe and the meerschaum will be hard and difficult to work.
If you really want to do it send it to a professional @condorlover1 and @weezell can point you in the right direction.
of course it depends on how you value the pipe and how much you are willing to spend/risk damaging the pipe
Old amber is VERY brittle and will likely shatter when an attempt to drill and tap it is made.
Also if it an amber stem,bone tenon it is likely an old pipe and the meerschaum will be hard and difficult to work.
If you really want to do it send it to a professional @condorlover1 and @weezell can point you in the right direction.
of course it depends on how you value the pipe and how much you are willing to spend/risk damaging the pipe
Probably just best to put it back on the shelf and admire it. I keep feeling guilty having these old antiques and not using them. I have plenty of other user pipes but I like to dream of using an antique lol.
Figure it out and smoke it.
I routinely smoke pipes ranging from 1886 to 1920. It just takes a little extra care. But I’d smoke them.
Also, get some dry vinyl for the Amber stems (it’s a simple wrap to protect the Amber from your teeth), you’ll thank me later.
Seriously, smoke them.
All of the above is true. I am sadly responsible for a lot of the vintage meerschaum pipe 'moonies' on this forum including my dear friend @ashdigger. Since the pipe has been messed with it is probably as good idea to send it down to Briarville (see posting on their new address) or Northern Briars in the U.K. Do not try drilling out the bone tenon yourself and remember amber as a stem material is the nearest thing to a hand grenade in pipe world. Good luck and please do post some pictures if you get a chance.
Appreciate all the wonderful info. Thank you. I'm not near my collection currently but when I get home in the next few months I'll post pics. So briar works is the go to for meerschaum repair in the USA?
not briar works BRIARVILLE
Briarville Has Moved Again! :: Pipe Repair and Maintenance
This just landed in my in-box so I thought I would post it here just so everyone got the message! Due to our expanded growth and more opportunities to go fishing!, We are moving Labor Day Weekend and will be set up in our new shop in Ellijay, Georgia on September 8th. With our move we will be...
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I smoke pipes as old as the early 1880's they smoke fine.
No reason not to try the plumber's tape and enjoy your pipe. Revamping an old bone tenon connection, especially with an amber stem involved, is an extremely delicate procedure, and the only restorer I know of who has more than a prayer of doing it, not George but a specialist, is now semi retired and not considering any new clients. Anyone without that level of experience has a low chance of succes retaining the original components, some where between 0 and less than 0.
The teflon tape will do the job.
Hi Simon,
Just curious. Since Briarbville has changed hands, have you sent them work to do on meers? Most briar repairers won't touch meers.
Both myself and Weezell have sent stuff to Briarville and found everything in meerschaum world to be just fine.