Broke my stem

[newbroom]

I got a pipe from an 'estate' sale yesterday. Started messing with getting it cleaned up. It's a Wally Frank Ltd. and a nice bent bowl...curved stem...couldn't get my pipe cleaner through the stem. There was obvious detritus caked up there..dry...whitish..and I started prodding it with a cuticle tool...and snap...the bottom riser snapped off..I guess it's time for a grinder?...darn it.

 

[tuold]

It happens. Can you super glue it back together? (I'm not sure what part of the stem is the "riser".)

 

[newbroom]

the bottom lip. I got up this a.m. forgetting that I'd put this piece on my laptop/tv tray set up next to my ash tray and uncharacteristically cleaned up the table and put all the garbage into a waste basket full of old pipe cleaners, dottle, ashes, and other, less savory things.

I found it. I've glued it back on. I dunno. Haven't done anything else with it since. I imagine the first time I try to pass a cleaner it will happen again.

 

[tuold]

Yeah, I've shattered some stems when I first started refurbishing my pipes, one of them in three parts. 8O
I glued the pieces all together, then sanded and polished the stem. If you look closely the repairs are noticeable but the pipe smokes just as before. Gives it some "character" and reminds me of my folly!
Since then I use a dental pick to get crud out from that area. If the clog is further down, try soaking the stem in alcohol before going in with an alcohol soaked bristle pipe cleaner. Usually just takes a ton patience. Keep poking at it.
Those are just some things that have worked for me.

 

[newbroom]

try soaking the stem in alcohol before going in with an alcohol soaked bristle pipe cleaner. Usually just takes a ton patience.

I was thinking I would soak it when I broke it. I have learned something. I think I've salvaged the stem with glue. This old briar is beautiful and I'd find another stem to smoke with it if I have to. Original equipment is always nice...I guess it's a vulcanite? stem? It's got the WF stamped into it..very very brittle.