Comoy Grand Slam Question

[buroak]

Could someone please tell me how a Grand Slam fitment is secured in the stem's tenon? I am cleaning up a Grand Slam in which the fitment is about 30 degrees off of correct alignment (looking at the fitment from the bowl end the holes at the midpoint of the fitment sit at roughly eleven and five o'clock rather than twelve and six o' clock). I doubt this misalignment will negatively affect smoking, but the fastidious part of me wants to correct the defect. My desire to fix the problem is not, however, strong enough to make me risk breaking the tenon. If the fitment threads into the tenon, I will leave well enough alone. If the fitment is simply pressed in, I will probably try to turn the fitment to proper alignment. Any information will be much appreciated.

 

[ssjones]

Those are press-fit tenons. I've never owned one, but from what I recall, you can remove the metal stinger piece. Please post a picture so I can the alignment error you are describing.

 

[ssjones]

It should look like this. I did work on one and simply heated the aluminum stinger piece and it came right out.

 

[buroak]

Thanks! Given the Grand Slams with cut stingers I have seen, I was afraid the stinger was difficult to move/remove.
I will have to get a Photobucket account in order to post pictures. The stinger in your photo is properly aligned just like my other Grand Slam.
I will try the heating method. I am guessing the leather washers should be removed first.

 

[buroak]

So, the method of securing the stinger in the tenon may vary across Grand Slams...
Mayhaps I should leave well enough alone. The misalignment is not that bad. I will try to put up a picture later today.

 

[dmcmtk]

The original patent drawing shows it as a screw fitting, see detail no. 12,
http://www.pipephil.eu/logos/en/infos/comoy1.html
I've never taken one apart.

 

[buroak]

Here are pictures of the stinger. As I said, the misalignment is pretty mild.

 

[ssjones]

I don't remember mine being thread, but it's been 3-4 years ago. (cleaned and resold).

But that patent picture definitely shows a threaded piece.

I'd try warming the stinger and reorienting, perhaps it has come unscrewed over the years.

I wouldn't heat enough to damage the leather washers.
Here's a better shot of that patent drawing.

http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=02001612&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D2001612.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F2001612%2526RS%3DPN%2F2001612&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page

 

[buroak]

Thank you, ssjones. I might try applying some heat and gently turning the stinger. I know this kind of thing is often done to Kaywoodie stingers.