Broken Tenons. Repair or Replace Stem?

[jaygreen55]

Unfortunately I have 6 pipes with broken tenons thanks to an adventurous cat who knocked them off my shelf. In the past all my pipes had generic vulcanite stems so I just replaced them with new ones. Four of this batch either have stem inserts or insignias
that I would hate to lose. Does repairing the tenons affect the smoking characteristics of a pipe? I'd like to here anyone's experience with this type of repair

 

[orlandofurioso]

I'm sorry, don't blame the cat.
When the repair is performed properly, I'd say no.
There are at least two ways ; have the tenon replaced or if no ebonite is lost glue it and reinforce the
tenon with a thin metal tube. I did once on an unsmoked James Upshall apple I dropped on a wooden floor
It worked out fine. Higher graded Comoy's pipes had a aluminium tenon reinforcement as such.

 

[Mr_houston]

I broke a tenon off a Tinsky panel that I really like. I sent it to Mark Tinsky to fix. In case it was to need a new stem, I wanted his logo on it.

He drilled out and replaced the tenon. I assume in his professional opinion, that was the proper fix.

 

[warren99]

I’ve sent several pipes of different makes to Mark Tinsky with broken tenons. He does an excellent job of replacing the tenon at a fair price and returns the pipe very quickly, cleaned and polished.

 

[hyperstar]

I sticked my broken tenon with 24 hours epoxy AB glue. And placed it in a cup, preventing any movement. So that the glue didn't drip.
Then I put the cup near my dehumidifier. I wasn't sure if it helps the glue harden better, but the outcome is good.

(Remember wearing disposable gloves throughout the process.)

 

[mikethompson]

If in doubt send it to a professional to get repaired. Unless we are talking cobs here, there is no replacement for a proper fix.

 

[telescopes]

I have had several broken tenons repaired or replaced. I used Briarville and Ric did an excellent job on each of them. I doubt anyone would detect a difference leaving me with the morally ambiguous question of do I disclose the repair should I sell the pipe, LOL.

 

[LotusEater]

I’ve had good successes gluing broken tenons but depending on the quality of the pipes and the nature of the breaks you might want a professional to repair yours.

*Edit*
gluing the tenon has not seemed to effect how they smoke

 

[jpmcwjr]

Agree with Orlando- If fix is done halfway decently, there will be zero effect on how it smokes.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I’ve had good successes gluing broken tenons but depending on the quality of the pipes and the nature of the breaks you might want a professional to repair yours.

Could you please say a bit more, such as specific glues used, and how you kept the tenon in proper alignment when it was drying....?

 

[jpmcwjr]

PS. I started thinking a piece of wire (coat hanger?) that fit snugly in the airway might be "a good thing".

 

[sablebrush52]

Unfortunately I have 6 pipes with broken tenons thanks to an adventurous cat who knocked them off my shelf. In the past all my pipes had generic vulcanite stems so I just replaced them with new ones. Four of this batch either have stem inserts or insignias
that I would hate to lose. Does repairing the tenons affect the smoking characteristics of a pipe? I'd like to here anyone's experience with this type of repair

The tenon can be replaced, and if done properly, will be invisible. I'd use George Dibos if I wanted to be assured it was as seamless as possible, but others can do a good job of it as well.

 

[LotusEater]

Could you please say a bit more, such as specific glues used, and how you kept the tenon in proper alignment when it was drying....?

I inserted a pipe cleaner coated with petroleum jelly trough the broken tenon and stem and applied glue to the break and firmly pressed the bits together. I have used different types of glue for this purpose and don’t recall which worked best. The key is to find one that will bond rubber (for vulcanite stems) and that has an initial set up time that will allow for minor adjustments to be made. After the recommended curing time I sand off any excess glue and that’s it.

I have two pipes that get smoked regularly that have been repaired this way - both reg. era Stanwells with a few dings. If they were better pipes I wouldn’t have tried this.

 

[MattRVA]

The tenon can be replaced, and if done properly, will be invisible. I'd use George Dibos if I wanted to be assured it was as seamless as possible, but others can do a good job of it as well.

George is a wizard, I’ve been watching his videos carefully.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Thanks, lotus. The pipes in mind are not worthy of a Pinsky or Briarville repair, much less a Dibos treatment!

 

[kcghost]

Listen to what @mikethompson is telling you. There is no substitute for a proper repair.

 

[crashthegrey]

A new tenon cut or purchased to fit the mortise will not hurt the smoking properties. If glued in with 5 minute epoxy or the like, and wiped clean, the only glue is outside of the path of smoke and how many pipes are initially made. In fact, this may be an opportunity to make it smoke better. Depending on how inexpensive these pipes were, the tenon may not have been funneled. If you put a chamfered edge it will benefit the airway and potentially smoke better than it used to.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Listen to what @mikethompson is telling you. There is no substitute for a proper repair.

I agree. However I have more than enough pipes in good nick that don't need repair, so I am allowed a few with home made repairs.