EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9) - Bob
Can a clay pipe be drilled to open up the airway?
Can a clay pipe be drilled to open up the airway?
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Drill a Clay Pipe?
- Thread starter Laird Thomas
- Start date
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I tried that once and broke it.
The airways aren't bad, actually. But they're just about right barely at first so that any clogging at all restricts them.
Fire cleaning periodically and cleaning with a wire in the stem after does wonders. It's pretty easy.
The airways aren't bad, actually. But they're just about right barely at first so that any clogging at all restricts them.
Fire cleaning periodically and cleaning with a wire in the stem after does wonders. It's pretty easy.
Some probably do this as a challenge, and most would go through some clay pipes to achieve a completed job, but no, clay isn't the material to rework with a drill. Like I say, someone could do a surgical job of it, with just the right equipment, but I would hope they'd find something better to do with the skill set.
When mine plugs, I use a bit of soft wire cut from a coat-hangar to poke through the length of the stem. For the ittty-bity clay nose warmers, a straightened-out large paper clip works fine.
So long as the wire is flexible and smaller diameter than the airway, you should be fine. But if you go with too thin a wire, it could slide past one side of the clog without dislodging it.
So long as the wire is flexible and smaller diameter than the airway, you should be fine. But if you go with too thin a wire, it could slide past one side of the clog without dislodging it.
If your clay pipe is clogged, it is because you put something in it, that was supposed to burn, but didn't. The solution is to make it burn!
Here is an option on how to resolve the problem. Get a blowtorch and heat the pipe until it glows. Then carefully dip the pipe in your glass of ice tea. You will never have a problem with the pipe again!
Or, you could put some wood in your firepit and add the clay pipe to the pile. Light up the fire. Enjoy some quality time with another pipe, or family members if you must. Tomorrow morning, shift through the ashes and retrieve the pipe. I guarantee that the tobacco has been consumed. It is possible that the pipe may have a different color, but that won't affect how it smokes.
Here is an option on how to resolve the problem. Get a blowtorch and heat the pipe until it glows. Then carefully dip the pipe in your glass of ice tea. You will never have a problem with the pipe again!
Or, you could put some wood in your firepit and add the clay pipe to the pile. Light up the fire. Enjoy some quality time with another pipe, or family members if you must. Tomorrow morning, shift through the ashes and retrieve the pipe. I guarantee that the tobacco has been consumed. It is possible that the pipe may have a different color, but that won't affect how it smokes.