Cracked Vintage Amber Stem

[GCW]

Any advice on fixing a cracked victorian era Amber stem? Worthwhile or better to replace the stem?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Photos?

 

[ashdigger]

Definitely need photos. If it’s a simple break they are repairable. If chips are missing you need a new stem.

 

[unadoptedlamp]

Super glue works if it is a clean break without chips. To my knowledge, most (if not all) are not solid pieces of amber, but rather a bonded collection of amber dust or pieces. Who knows what was used as an adhesive back then, but I doubt super glue would be any worse for you, if you're worried about that kind of thing.

Just be sure to put a pipe cleaner in the stem before you glue just in case you're not 100% accurate so you can move it around and ensure the draft stays open. With careful application, you shouldn't have glue in the draft hole anyway.

They're very easy stems to sand if you have a selection of sandpaper up to polishing grit. Should be able to reasonably hide the line. I would try a repair before getting a new stem if it were mine.

 

[ashdigger]

Just be sure to put a pipe cleaner in the stem before you glue just in case you're not 100% accurate so you can move it around and ensure the draft stays open. With careful application, you shouldn't have glue in the draft hole anyway.

I always coat the pipe cleaner in beeswax or Vaseline. It works great and the cleaner removes easily after the glue dried.

I use marine epoxy. It’s more durable than Super Glue.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Swap it out for an MM danish bit.

 

[OzPiper]

Lots of advice in previous posts on where best to get a replacement stem

 

[GCW]

Repaired best I could with the glue and sandpaper recommendations

 

[ABel7son]

Repaired best I could with the glue and sandpaper recommendations

You did a nice job. Now , if you want to fill in any gaps or spaces learn the technique of super glue and baking soda combo, from YouTube. It fills in spaces with a very strong Bond.

 

[condorlover1]

That looks like amber-ite which is a form of Bakelite. Amber usually feels like glass against the teeth. Some of the Victorian/Edwardian amber-esque concoctions can be damn right dangerous to your health. The only one I trust is Redmanol otherwise anything else gets re-stemmed pronto!

 

[GCW]

That looks like amber-ite which is a form of Bakelite. Amber usually feels like glass against the teeth. Some of the Victorian/Edwardian amber-esque concoctions can be damn right dangerous to your health. The only one I trust is Redmanol otherwise anything else gets re-stemmed pronto!

I hadn't heard of the Redmanol so I looked it up and found this very interesting article:

KB&B Redmonal Pipe – rebornpipes

Posts about KB&B Redmonal Pipe written by rebornpipes

rebornpipes.com

 

[kcghost]

Fairly nice job but if you wanted it repaired right you would have sent to one of the few guys who repair stems.