Bore hole too narrow for cleaners

[Zamora]

I bought an estate for a great deal recently and I want to start smoking it soon. Unfortunately I can't get a pipe cleaner in, I tried running one through with both a soft bristle and firm bristle but neither worked. The pipe is a Bruken Selecta but the stem is a replacement, it holds a 6mm filter. Does anybody know of any ways to widen the bore or ways to clean stems without pipe cleaners? It's a lovely stem so I'd hate to need a replacement.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Try to get Falcon Extra Thin pipe cleaners. They work well for smaller holes. Several of us use them to clean late 19th Century and early 20th Century pipes with narrow draught holes.

 

[Zamora]

Try to get Falcon Extra Thin pipe cleaners. They work well for smaller holes. Several of us use them to clean late 19th Century and early 20th Century pipes with narrow draught holes.

Nice, I just found some on Amazon and ordered them. Thanks

 

[OzPiper]

Perhaps there is something in the stem that is causing the obstruction.
Is the stem straight ?
If it is, shine a strong light to see if there is something in there that shouldn't be.
If the stem is bent, heat it up and straighten. Then check.

 

[mortonbriar]

And when you blow on it does it seem clear?

 

[UB 40]

I think I missed the point. Is it the stem or the shank you can’t get the pipecleaner through?

 

[5star]

Many of us have a variety of pipe cleaners. Some work better in some pipes than in others. It may be a matter of thickness or even how bendable the pipe cleaner is.
I have pipes that I didn’t like because I couldn’t run a cleaner all the way through to the bowl. I bought some different type pipe cleaners for use in those pipes & now it’s no problem.

Mac

 

[Piping Abe]

Take the pipe apart. Can you pass a cleaner through the shank into the bowl? If so, your issue is due to the stem being a 6mm, the excess room allows the pipe cleaner to move around and not line up. This is not an issue, just requires the pipe to be disassembled to properly clean.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I have packs of 6.5" and 7" pipe cleaners from BJ Long, and the 7" ones are noticeably thinner than the 6.5" ones, despite both being sold as "regular". They're perfect for my clays, with their smaller draft holes.

The 52' coil of "regular" pipe cleaner is also skinnier, if you do determine that's the issue with your pipe. https://www.smokingpipes.com/access...aning-supplies/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=117285

 

[Zeno Marx]

Sounds like the airway has build up. You can use a simple poker to get a lot of it out, and then you can use a drill bit and spin it by hand with pliers. I'd get a flashlight and look into the mortise to at least get an idea how to start. Once you get the majority of it out, you can scrub it clean with a tube brush, dishwashing soap, and warm running water.

 

[didimauw]

@Zamora
I would like to see a picture if able!

 

[Zamora]

I think I missed the point. Is it the stem or the shank you can’t get the pipecleaner through?

Stem. I ordered some Falcon pipe cleaners so I'm waiting on those

 

[Sobrbiker]

Depending on construction, investment, and sense of adventure, I’d straighten and ream it. I’ve had ones already that I had to do that, then ream enough to get a cleaner in, then clamp reamer to bench so I could run it back and forth, then the same with a toothpaste impregnated reamer, then a bristle to get opened up.

Will air pass, or is it completely plugged?

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

I like a really open airways. If it were a pipe I really liked and planned on keeping, I'd send it off and have it opened up a little. A cheaper estate I could do myself. But would send off any pipe of value for a pro to do it.
Hope your able to enjoy it

 

[Zeno Marx]

Ah, the stem. That's different. My preferred, favorite maker uses a smaller airway, which is one reason why they are my favorite. I use the thinnest cleaners I can find for those pipes. I like the pipes enough to adapt to them. I wouldn't mess with it if it was a good smoker, but if it wasn't, I'd sell it.