Cracked the Mortise of My New Pipe

[carcosa]

I was into my second bowl of Lane Virginia #1 when my pipe got clogged. So like an idiot I pulled the stem out which was a very tight fit, and when i put it back in the briar cracked by the mortise. It still smokes fine, its a $75 La Rocca Baron. Usually stems are tight with a new pipe, and i shouldnt have fooled with it while it was warm. Im afraid the crack will grow, any suggestions? (picture to come) I read about using wood glue but the crack is so tight i dont know how i would get it in there

 

[carcosa]

the crack is pretty tight and there are absolutely no suction leaks, so I tried working some elmers glue in the crack with the tip of a pin, and since kids are known to eat it I imagine it is safe non toxic for pipes... Hopefully this solves the problem. I tried taking a few pictures but the crack is so fine you would never see it.

 

[craig61a]

Stuff happens... As long you got enough glue in the crack to allow the the crack to hold permanently, no foul. I would leave the stem out while the glue cures, and wrap something around the cracked area until the glues sets and cures.

I use a carpenter’s pencil to apply graphite to real tight stems so the slide in relatively easy. Sometimes takes a couple applications.

 

[mikethompson]

As long as the pipe smokes fine and you are ok with the repair, I think you are good to go. Unless you plan on selling the pipe I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Pierre1965]

I have a Royal Danish that had a hairline crack on the shank. I made a tapered wooden dowel and used it to gently (very, very gently) expand the crack. I used a fine tip extension on my CA glue and got the glue down into the crack. I removed the taper and clamped over night. Using the tip extension I got very little on the outside and cleaned up immediately. The crack is still visible if you look very closely, but I have no intention of selling it and it doesn't bother me. I use the pipe regularly and the repair hasn't shown any signs of failing.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Pierre: Bien fait! That seems like a good way to go. How long has it been holding up?

 

[jpmcwjr]

I was into my second bowl of Lane Virginia #1 when my pipe got clogged. So like an idiot I pulled the stem out which was a very tight fit, and when i put it back in the briar cracked by the mortise. It still smokes fine, its a $75 La Rocca Baron. Usually stems are tight with a new pipe, and i shouldnt have fooled with it while it was warm. Im afraid the crack will grow, any suggestions? (picture to come) I read about using wood glue but the crack is so tight i dont know how i would get it in there

Pulling and especially pushing a stem, be it hot or cold, could be the problem. I was shown a long time ago to twist the stem clockwise, both out and in. Never had a problem with splitting/cracking the mortise. (And I don't adhere to the admonition to never remove the stem while hot.)

Do you have photos now?

 

[Pierre1965]

Pierre: Bien fait! That seems like a good way to go. How long has it been holding up?

Merci. It's been a couple months and I use the pipe regularly. I've used CA glue in wood turning projects for years so I'm very confident that I won't have an future problems. I really like it because it will flow into the tiniest of cracks and doesn't seem to expand. The pipe was in pretty bad shape when I received it and it was only a $10 so I didn't have anything to loose by trying. One note on this: use CA sparingly it doesn't take much and as soon as the glue is in remove the taper; CA sets quickly and solidly.

 

[augiebd]

I will be adopting the method @Pierre1965 uses going forward, very practical.

 

[Pierre1965]

This is what the repaired shank / pipe looks like. The crack is far more visable in this picture than in person and is completely sealed.

 

[carcosa]

Couldn’t get a good picture but the pipe has been smoking great and the crack hasn’t gotten bigger, I’m happy with it

 

[BROBS]

Sweet it shouldn’t hurt the smoking. Did you try getting some superglue in it? It will prevent it from getting dark in the crack and swelling or getting otherwise worse.

 

[carcosa]

Sweet it shouldn’t hurt the smoking. Did you try getting some superglue in it? It will prevent it from getting dark in the crack and swelling or getting otherwise worse.

Just used some elmers glue

 

[bnichols23]

Just used some elmers glue

Yipe!

 

[mingc]

The traditional fix is to put a metal band on it, to stop the crack from expanding.

 

[logs]

pretty sure electrical tape offers best repair possible

 

[jpmcwjr]

I have some Gorilla tape I needed for a specific repair. That'd be excellent, as it has a matte finish, is wide, and, well, strong like a gorilla....!

 

[sandollars]

I use Beeswax on my tight new, AND Estate loose pipes. It hasn't failed me so far

 

[mingc]

pretty sure electrical tape offers best repair possible

You meant duct tape, right? ?

 

[BROBS]

I use Beeswax on my tight new, AND Estate loose pipes. It hasn't failed me so far

Same here. Sometimes before the beeswax I put on pencil lead. ?