Clogged Falcon

[mso489]

A new straight Falcon with a briar Dublin bowl on its six or seventh bowl of Mixture No. 79, now seems clogged, restricted in the airway. Inadvertently, I smoked it without a moisture ring, and I was readying a pipe cleaner and small wire cutter to make a supply. The latest bowl was pleasantly prolonged, but the pipes moisture reservoir, without a ring, got pretty wet. So I unscrewed the bowl, cleaned it up, cleaned out the reservoir, and ran a pipe cleaner through the airway. It still draws hard. Of course, I'll work on it some more, but I thought I'd ask, any obvious or standard remedies before I overdo a simple fix? At last, a real pipe question from me; I'll mark my calendar.

 

[BROBS]

A new straight Falcon with a briar Dublin bowl on its six or seventh bowl of Mixture No. 79, now seems clogged, restricted in the airway. Inadvertently, I smoked it without a moisture ring, and I was readying a pipe cleaner and small wire cutter to make a supply. The latest bowl was pleasantly prolonged, but the pipes moisture reservoir, without a ring, got pretty wet. So I unscrewed the bowl, cleaned it up, cleaned out the reservoir, and ran a pipe cleaner through the airway. It still draws hard. Of course, I'll work on it some more, but I thought I'd ask, any obvious or standard remedies before I overdo a simple fix? At last, a real pipe question from me; I'll mark my calendar.

put alcohol on the pipecleaner and let it sit in the airway for a short while..
should dissolve it.
you can also pour alcohol into the humidome until it starts to come out the airway.. and let it soak that way too.

worst case the stem is not vulcanite so you can put the whole thing in a baggie with alcohol to soak.

 

[paulfg]

Check there is not any pipe cleaner fluff blocking the draft hole where the stem tube meets the humidrome.
i have had this happen to me.it seems if the end of the tube is a little rough it cuts fluff from the pipe cleaner as you pull it though

 

[anotherbob]

Check there is not any pipe cleaner fluff blocking the draft hole where the stem tube meets the humidrome.
i have had this happen to me.it seems if the end of the tube is a little rough it cuts fluff from the pipe cleaner as you pull it though

why the falcon pipe cleaners are thinner. Which means I should get them for my Rattray's which is extra prone to clogs as in my only pipe that seems to get clogged.

 

[Sonorisis]

i've had lint from pipe cleaners collect in the airway. Seems like it happens where the tube meets the frame at the bowl end of the pipe. The only remedy I've found -- which has worked for me -- is more pipe cleaners. I don't normally use bristle pipe cleaners, but they seem to work for "grabbing" lint from the fluffy type of cleaner. Blowing seems to help too. Sucking, however, should be avoided out of concern for one's lungs.

 

[mso489]

I have the bristle pipe cleaners, so I'll try them first. All posts give me good ideas to try in sequence until the airway is clear. Falcon is a fine little pipe, light weight and handy.

 

[ray47]

I've used a shank brush many times to clear any clogs in my Falcon stems. I dip the brush in some EverClear.

 

[paulfg]

i've had lint from pipe cleaners collect in the airway. Seems like it happens where the tube meets the frame at the bowl end of the pipe.

that was exactly what I was referring too

 

[Ctbill]

I’m no Falcon expert, but I had a few episodes of “hard draw, or clogged” experiences. Something about the chamber design allows tobacco to get packed in that last little hole above the humidome I think, causing the draw issue. Maybe check this area on your next encounter? Unscrew, quick top of humidome wipe, and a little poking from the under side of the bowl helped me.
The straight metal stem is quite easy to maintain and keep clear I have found. Easy to check without the bowl attached, pre-smoke with a quick blow and draw.

 

[F4RM3R]

If not the shank, then check the bottom of the bowl where it meets the center of the humidome. I've sanded the bottom of a falcon bowl before to open up the draw and it worked out nicely.

 

[BROBS]

If not the shank, then check the bottom of the bowl where it meets the center of the humidome. I've sanded the bottom of a falcon bowl before to open up the draw and it worked out nicely.

I’ve done this too and also you have to watch that it doesn’t build cake or goo inside the bottom opening of the bowl.

 

[paulfg]

I have posted this before,but it is worth repeating
google Falcon pipes (by Falconeer)
I very useful article dealing with all things Falcon

 

[mso489]

The bristle pipe cleaner seems to have helped, but the many other suggestions on the thread give me more tricks up my sleeve if the draw isn't open enough next smoke. Thank you, and I'll keep you posted how things go.

 

[didimauw]

With the amount I smoke, and the cake I like to build I've always been afraid to get a falcon. Just seems like a pain in the butt to me.

 

[BROBS]

With the amount I smoke, and the cake I like to build I've always been afraid to get a falcon. Just seems like a pain in the butt to me.

It’s actually pretty easy to deal with since you can remove the bowl. You can also wipe out underneath in the humidome with a tissue and get it all dry in there.

 

[indoeuro]

Check there is not any pipe cleaner fluff blocking the draft hole where the stem tube meets the humidrome.
i have had this happen to me.it seems if the end of the tube is a little rough it cuts fluff from the pipe cleaner as you pull it though

This has been my experience, as well. I pulled a pipe cleaner through the humidome end with needle nose pliers to dislodge the troublesome schmutz.

 

[Scottishgaucho]

A blast of air from a can of compressed air will clear most obstructions. If it's hardened gunk then I agree with steeping the stem in hot soapy water until it softens....if none of that works you're either blowing instead of sucking or ready to kick the bucket!!