My Flamidor pipe has a built in stinger that will not pass a pipe cleaner.
Any tips on how to easily clean this type of pipe?
Any tips on how to easily clean this type of pipe?
Built in stinger
- Thread starter Dixie Piper
- Start date
The stinger should just pull out with a little persuasion. Clean it up and put it back in.
Almost 50 years ago my grandfather gave me a pipe with a stinger in it. The damn thing was stuck in there and I never could get it out. My solution to cleaning it was to use a needle and a thimble to clear the passage. I eventually lost that pipe, and despite the fact that it had been my grandfather's, I was not sorry to see it go. What a pain!
Maybe he gave it to me so I would quit the habit. Hmmmm.
Some stingers are threaded. Either way they do get stuck because of tar buildup. Almost all will easily come out if you take a lighter and heat the end. That transfers heat to the main body and keeps the flame away from the stem body. Then take some pliers and give a gentle twist. Ive done this with filthy pipes that probably hadn’t been smoked for thirty years.
I have several pipes I like with stingers and this thread motivated me to look into it. I did some web browsing and ordered some Falcon extra thin pipe cleaners. I didn't know about them. They pass most of my stingers without issue. They're probably half as thick as Dill's.
Feels a little silly that I didn't bother to look it up sooner.