Do I Attempt A Repair?

[Cyxelsid]

So, I have a Savinelli Bing Extra Long. It was the first new pipe I bought when a started smoking 6 months ago. Unfortunately, it got knocked off my pipe stand and the stem broke cleanly at the shank, with the tenon still in the mortise.

I checked with a couple of folks who recommended a pipe repair company. They want $40 to fix it. And it will cost about $40 for round trip Fedex, or I can go cheap and ship USPS flat rate box. Either way, I am $60-$80 into repairing a $110 pipe.

Here is the question... how hard would it be to get the tenon out? Would it need to be drilled out? Is it possible to get some kind of a pick in behind the tenon and pull it out?




Assuming I can get the tenon out, I have not found anyone selling just a Savinelli Bing stem. Where can I find one?

I appreciate any assistance you can give!

 

[georged]

Removing snapped-off tenons ranges from no biggie to impossible-without-a-slide-hammer.

Getting it out yourself will achieve nothing, though, because a new "swappable" stem isn't available. One must be cut to fit. (every pipe, even of the same make and model, differs enough in size to make that necessary)

 

[verporchting]

$40-60 to have a professional do a tenon repair and ship it back to you seems like a bargain price to me. No need to ship by expensive carrier, USPS should be fine.

Of course if you just wanted to buy a new one and save the hassle that’s okay too.

 

[Cyxelsid]

Removing snapped-off tenons ranges from no biggie to impossible-without-a-slide-hammer.

Getting it out yourself will achieve nothing, though, because a new "swappable" stem isn't available. One must be cut to fit. (every pipe, even of the same make and model, differs enough in size to make that necessary)

Yeah, that is what I was afraid of. Well, I think that means I will pack it up and store it for a later time. If I am going to spend $60-80, I guess I will look for a new pipe. I saw some nice estates on Blue Room Briar, so maybe I will do that.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[warren99]

I've had a few tenons break off. I have sent the pipes to Mark Tinsky in Montana who does a good job replacing the tenon for a reasonable charge, around $25, with a quick turn-around, the last time he replaced one for me, three or four years ago. With shipping from CA via USPS, it shouldn't run more than $40 total unless his prices have increased. Also, you might check with Savinelli for a replacement stem. I know they used to sell them. You should be able to remove the old tenon from the mortise by hand with a drill bit; although shipping a new stem from Italy might cost as much or more as having it professionally repaired.

 

[Cyxelsid]

I have sent the pipes to Mark Tinsky in Montana

I am a newbie, do you have contact info for him? For $40, that is a no brainer. I am not worried about time, I have lots of that.

 

[Cyxelsid]

Nevermind, I should have used google first! I found him.

 

[Hillcrest]

6 months ? At least send an e-mail to Savinelli with a picture and ask them. It may still be under warranty.

 

[warren99]

I am a newbie, do you have contact info for him? For $40, that is a no brainer. I am not worried about time, I have lots of that.

American Smoking Pipe Co.​

PO Box 13​

Wolf Creek MT 59648​

Email : marktinsky@q.com (he responds quickly to emails unless he's off somewhere on a fishing trip)​

Good luck.

 

[anotherbob]

6 months ? At least send an e-mail to Savinelli with a picture and ask them. It may still be under warranty.

honestly to me it doesn't seem like a fall should do that. My gut says one of two things happened. The stem was not in good shape for some reason, or that sucker fell just right. But no matter what they say the worst thing they'll probably do is say not our problem.

 

[Cyxelsid]

honestly to me it doesn't seem like a fall should do that. My gut says one of two things happened. The stem was not in good shape for some reason, or that sucker fell just right. But no matter what they say the worst thing they'll probably do is say not our problem.

I agree, a fall from 30 inches onto carpet doesn't seem like that extreme of a fall.

I looked up Savinelli's warranty policy on their website and found this:

9.3
In case of defective products, the Client, within two months from delivery, can contact Savinelli via email to the address sales@savinelli.it and require the Products to be replaced or repaired. The choice between the two is at the Client's discretion except when what required is impossible or too expensive compared to the other one.

Two months seems like a very short warranty period, but hey, such is life. I went ahead and emailed them and I will report back on what they say.

 

[georged]

honestly to me it doesn't seem like a fall should do that. My gut says one of two things happened. The stem was not in good shape for some reason, or that sucker fell just right.

It's a combination of both.

The mid-line Italian outfits use a type of acrylic that's brittle. Not because they want it to break, but because it can be shaped and polished in fewer $tep$---i.e. fa$ter---than more durable formulations, and the "fragility side effect" is considered a cost of doing business.

Apparently it's a net win at their price point. Even with the repairs, customer dissatisfaction, and etc. being higher than the Old Fashioned Way, they never went back once they switched.

 

[Hillcrest]

I agree, a fall from 30 inches onto carpet doesn't seem like that extreme of a fall.

I looked up Savinelli's warranty policy on their website and found this:

9.3
In case of defective products, the Client, within two months from delivery, can contact Savinelli via email to the address sales@savinelli.it and require the Products to be replaced or repaired. The choice between the two is at the Client's discretion except when what required is impossible or too expensive compared to the other one.

Two months seems like a very short warranty period, but hey, such is life. I went ahead and emailed them and I will report back on what they say.

You could always buy a new stem on ebay. Plenty of people sell replacements stems but it won't have Savinelli logos.

 

[anotherbob]

It's a combination of both.

The mid-line Italian outfits use a type of acrylic that's brittle. Not because they want it to break, but because it can be shaped and polished in fewer $tep$---i.e. fa$ter---than more durable formulations, and the "fragility side effect" is considered a cost of doing business.

Apparently it's a net win at their price point. Even with the repairs, customer dissatisfaction, and etc. being higher than the Old Fashioned Way, they never went back once they switched.

makes sense. Thanks.

 

[kcghost]

I think another problem is whether you have done this type of repair before. I would expect this to be answered with a resounding "No". No shame in that because most of haven't. Best leave these to somebody who has and has the tools necessary for the work.

 

[captpat]

I use USPS for pipes, a small flat box shipped priority is $8 anywhere in the US. FEDEX isn't one of my top choices for shipping anything.

If I were to repair it I'd send it out to a reputable pipe repair shop, though whether it's worth the cost is something you need to decide. OTOH you might want to try and do it yourself if you're looking to improve your skills.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Not a technicaly difficult repair, that tenon could easily be replaced with a better one. Since its a filter pipe a non-filter tenon would be far less prone to snapping.

 

[Cyxelsid]

American Smoking Pipe Co.​

PO Box 13​

Wolf Creek MT 59648​

Email : marktinsky@q.com (he responds quickly to emails unless he's off somewhere on a fishing trip)​

Good luck.

So, a quick update... I sent the pipe to Mark Tinsky and he fixed it up for me. Should be waiting in my mail box when I get home from Zion!

 

[Cyxelsid]

Well, the pipe came back good as new! Great job Mark!

 

[Lumbridge]

It should cost less than $10 to ship a pipe via USPS standard. I do it all the time.