Craft your own pipe?

[wernerat]

So after I getting more and more into this hobby I thought crafting my own pipe. As my father has a fully equipped small carpentery the tools would be there so what I need now is a good tutorial :D any videos or homepages to visit? It could be a fun father son activity for me and my retired father

 

[Home Brewing Piper]

I've been thinking of doing this too. I've watched a lot of YouTube videos and concluded that anything I make is going to look like a child's art project. Good luck to you OP!

 

[jndyer]

If this is something that intrigues you, then you should go for it. Every pipe carver had to start with their first pipe. I would recommend a google search for pipe making forums.

 

[kcghost]

There are all kinds of videos on YouTube.

 

[Searock Fan]

Anyone thinking making their own pipe and considering one of the "do it yourself" pipes (see below), be careful. Make sure what you buy is quality briar. The cheap ones are made of poor grade briar and, in my experience, really smoke nasty!!!

 

[UB 40]

A good place to start is pipedia: Pipe Making - Pipedia - https://pipedia.org/wiki/Pipe_Making

 

[Peterson314]

I've been itching to buy a kit from Vermont Freehand. But I need another hobby like I need a kick in the teeth right now.

If I get my woodshop back in order, I'll probably build a Morta in the fall. My plan is to use VF's resources and yatoob.

 

[UB 40]

Another approach is to fix used pipes to get a feel for what you might do. And read and watch whatever you can find out there.

rebornpipes

reclaiming old and worn estate pipes

rebornpipes.com

To work on a kit is only half of the fun. You will never learn correct drilling of the chamber airway and mortise, also making a stem is part of the process.

 

[sigaholic]

I’ve made a couple. Not beautiful but good smokers

 

[Salvaje]

Anyone thinking making their own pipe and considering one of the "do it yourself" pipes (see below), be careful. Make sure what you buy is quality briar. The cheap ones are made of poor grade briar and, in my experience, really smoke nasty!!!

View attachment 207326

What makes it nasty? Is it the lack of sap removal? I understand that cheap is cheap but what actually causes/makes briar a bad poor product over another? Would be interested in hearing everyone else’s thoughts and experiences.

 

[Bob the bear]

I've made numerous pipes from pre drilled kits and only one has been iffy . The Molina DIY kits are not bad. And there are many many DIY kits on eBay which consists of a pre drilled block with a stem and all you have to do is finish it off . Some come just as a block . Others as semi finished. Depends how much effort you want to put into it .almost always they are very cheap . Etsy also has numerous pipes carving kits as well

 

[Searock Fan]

What makes it nasty? Is it the lack of sap removal? I understand that cheap is cheap but what actually causes/makes briar a bad poor product over another? Would be interested in hearing everyone else’s thoughts and experiences.

I would say yes. The briar is probably uncured and the couple I've tried to smoke were very harsh and bitter from the first puff. Uncured briar is a common problem with a lot of pipes. From smoking them I believe that are a lot of beautiful Danish pipes that are uncured. Many look great but smoke terrible. That's why I don't have a single Danish pipe in my collection.

 

[alexnc]

Hobby block kits give you a taste. The thing is most YouTube videos have other people with other equipment that you don’t have- I didn’t have a lathe! Patience is the key. Walk away when you’re frustrated or stumped. I’ve only carved a dozen or so. But with only a drill press, a clamp, files, and a sanding belt + some hand sanding. No lathe, no band saw… it’s a bit of work. But really rewarding.

 

[alexnc]

This was my first

 

[BarrelProof]

Get in touch with Mark Tinsky. He will sell you blocks at any level of quality you’d like, pre-drilled or not, you can pick the stem/shape, plateau, etc. A really solid guy and a really solid product.

He’s also willing to give you any advice/feedback you may want. I highly recommend him.

 

[FHlight]

YouTube，Good Luck.

 

[DesertDan]

I have been thinking of trying my hand at pipe making. I am also going to make some pipe stands and cabinets at some point. I am a professional woodworker with my own shop so it's on the project list, just have to find the spare time.

 

[Coreios]

You can buy a Briar block pipe, and shape it how you want. Mr. Brog sells one cheap. Me and my son made one.

 

[Chasing Embers]

About ten years ago I was really into it.

 

[Salvaje]

I would say yes. The briar is probably uncured and the couple I've tried to smoke were very harsh and bitter from the first puff. Uncured briar is a common problem with a lot of pipes. From smoking them I believe that are a lot of beautiful Danish pipes that are uncured. Many look great but smoke terrible. That's why I don't have a single Danish pipe in my collection.

Is there a process to remove the sap even after you have a final pipe? I imagine that you would have to refinish the entire pipe but is it possible? That would play havoc on the mortise and tenon.