Hey guys, I hope this is the correct sub forum.
First and off topic a bit, I’ve been trying to get an account at pipemakersforum for a few months. I get the email saying it is waiting to be activated I never get activated. I never get replies to my emails about this. Is it closed up? It seems impossible to become a new member...
The main issue here: First, i just snapped the shank for first time at the final buffing. I need a beer. I’ve made 7 or so pipes from pre drilled. I am going to buy a lathe but can’t until mid-summer when we move. I live in Santa Barbara where a small home is millions. Space is far more pricey than your best equipment. I don’t have a place for a lathe. Unless it stays outside. We are moving to a much more affordable rural area where I’ll have my own shop in 4 months or so.
I am pretty sick of paying the premium for pipe kits because I don’t have the tools. I‘ve read endlessly; threads about this question and that it’s “wait to afford the lathe.” I get that. For me, 4 months of spending $35 per block is pricey too right? So with that in mind, would anyone say a Drill Press is a good idea? Like a used $200 one with decent travel and power? I know I’ve still got the tenon/stem making issue. I’m assuming buying stem blanks would be my best option. Maybe the tenon turning tool? But that is about $110 on top of the bits I’ll already need to buy. I don’t know all the limitations since ive not used much machinery until recently. I watch hours a day and read endless threads. Lol.
Again, it’s not really the machinery, it’s having the space for it. So far, the sander, buffer, etc. I can move in and out of my work shed. A lathe wouldn’t fit as I’ve barely any space there as it is.
Anyway, thanks for reading. I know this is an endlessly asked question. I wish I could move tomorrow and get a full size metal lathe but it’ll be July/August for the move where I’ll make my own little pipe shop. Ilive and breath pipes. I’ve restored 50 this year and made 7, own about 100. Last year I was just getting into it The hobby from cigars. I’ve never made a thing before these.
I was about to go buy a couple more $35 kits and figured I’d post this first. I really appreciate reading this and hearing from another pipe person.
here are the ones I’ve done so far... except the wonderful straight grained billiard I just snapped.
Peter E. Pipes - https://www.flickr.com/people/darkowlpipes/
go to albums for the ones I did vs. some I’m uploading of estates. All were done with a dremel, files and sandpaper. A buffer. I started using a sander on the last two.
First and off topic a bit, I’ve been trying to get an account at pipemakersforum for a few months. I get the email saying it is waiting to be activated I never get activated. I never get replies to my emails about this. Is it closed up? It seems impossible to become a new member...
The main issue here: First, i just snapped the shank for first time at the final buffing. I need a beer. I’ve made 7 or so pipes from pre drilled. I am going to buy a lathe but can’t until mid-summer when we move. I live in Santa Barbara where a small home is millions. Space is far more pricey than your best equipment. I don’t have a place for a lathe. Unless it stays outside. We are moving to a much more affordable rural area where I’ll have my own shop in 4 months or so.
I am pretty sick of paying the premium for pipe kits because I don’t have the tools. I‘ve read endlessly; threads about this question and that it’s “wait to afford the lathe.” I get that. For me, 4 months of spending $35 per block is pricey too right? So with that in mind, would anyone say a Drill Press is a good idea? Like a used $200 one with decent travel and power? I know I’ve still got the tenon/stem making issue. I’m assuming buying stem blanks would be my best option. Maybe the tenon turning tool? But that is about $110 on top of the bits I’ll already need to buy. I don’t know all the limitations since ive not used much machinery until recently. I watch hours a day and read endless threads. Lol.
Again, it’s not really the machinery, it’s having the space for it. So far, the sander, buffer, etc. I can move in and out of my work shed. A lathe wouldn’t fit as I’ve barely any space there as it is.
Anyway, thanks for reading. I know this is an endlessly asked question. I wish I could move tomorrow and get a full size metal lathe but it’ll be July/August for the move where I’ll make my own little pipe shop. Ilive and breath pipes. I’ve restored 50 this year and made 7, own about 100. Last year I was just getting into it The hobby from cigars. I’ve never made a thing before these.
I was about to go buy a couple more $35 kits and figured I’d post this first. I really appreciate reading this and hearing from another pipe person.
here are the ones I’ve done so far... except the wonderful straight grained billiard I just snapped.
Peter E. Pipes - https://www.flickr.com/people/darkowlpipes/
go to albums for the ones I did vs. some I’m uploading of estates. All were done with a dremel, files and sandpaper. A buffer. I started using a sander on the last two.
Last edited:
