Broke my Vauen

[InWithBothFeet]

The bit has always been loose on this and has been getting worse, so I did the trick of heating the tenon to enlarge it a bit. That shrunk it further, so I proceeded to incrementally insert a drill bit into the tenon 1/64" at a time while hot. That worked fantastically and the bit was finally snug in the stummel... until I heard the "snap". The stummel and tenon were off center and the thin side of the stummel cracked. Oof... I liked this acorn. I guess I'll be searching for a non-vauen acorn.

 

[burleybreath]

I'd just have it banded, if it smokes as well as the Vauen I have.

 

[Hillcrest]

You might be able to just glue that crack shut with a clamp. That appears to be a vauen Olaf. I have the 4873 bent egg. My stem became loose too. I assumed it was because I accidentally stepped on it when I left it outside. When it cools off its a bit loose; when smoking it tightens up. I just deal with it. Still a great pipe. You could have added some CA glue to the tenon, let dry, then reinsert. Vauen may be able to repair it for you as well.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

It's a Mocca 5241.... I have looked at everything smoking pipes has and nothing I see is similar. I'm still pondering my choices. I have a 5268 bulldog also and it too had a loose tenon. Beeswax helped that one.

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

You could fit a silver band over the stemmel, as a way to keep the crack from expanding. Will make it look like a Peterson but will also give it a nice touch, I think.

 

[Sobrbiker]

After learning from @georged about “painting” the mortise with thin CA, I’ll never try to heat and mechanically widen a vulcanite tenon again.
When George speaks, I listen…YouTube pipe “hacks” have ruined a couple pipes for me.

 

[Vlad the Pipe Enjoyer]

Maybe cut up a copper pipe (the ones for plumbing, not tobacco) and fit it around the stummel. It goes better with the look of the Vauen than silver does. You could even use metal stamps to engrave letters and symbols, personalizing your pipe. If you like it this much, that is.