Drilling In Peterson Pipes.

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bullet08

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
10,185
41,406
RTP, NC. USA
When I first started smoking Peterson pipes, I noticed that draught hole exit in the mortise was higher than the dead center. I thought that was odd. But the pipe smoked just fine. No gurgling, no moisture issue. Then I heard people complaining about Peterson pipe not passing pipe cleaner test. I thought maybe there's an issue. But didn't bother me much, I always break down my pipes mid-smoke to wipe out possible moisture in the mortise. Then I started smoking System pipes and I found out the reason for the off center drilling. There are few possible answers, but I do not know if any of them are by design, or it's just me seeing the benefit.

1) With draught hole exit drilled higher in mortise, you'll have less chance of moisture from stem going into chamber. 2) Peterson craftsmen are instructed to drill draught hole like System pipes. 3) Peterson craftsmen are so used to working in System pipes, or don't know how else to drill draught hole.

If you look at the diagram below of a System pipe, you will notice that, at least in System pipes, exit is drilled higher by design. This along with other features are in place to give a smoker drier smoke.

Draught hole in fully bent Peterson pipes are all drilled like System pipes. Other less bent pipes are also drilled higher than the center. Most any bent Peterson pipes will not pass pipe cleaner test, but that really doesn't say much other than you don't want to break you pipe down as often as I do.

Since the last change of ownership of Peterson, I noticed the draught hole more towards the center, and some of the pipes having shallower mortise. Not sure what's going on. Maybe just few pipes with different drilling or the owners are listening to pipe cleaner test connoisseurs.

tobacco-drying-paper-sd2018.jpg
 

Peterson314

Can't Leave
Sep 13, 2019
499
4,063
Atlanta, GA
Mine are pretty dead-center. Sorry for the pictures. I would do better in the sun.

I'm a woodworker and it is really, really hard to drill a long, perfect hole at an angle. If I were on the line at Peterson, perfect draft hole placement would be one of the stand-out features of my higher-end pipes.

My Sherlock is close to dead-nuts center. My System is higher. Could be part of the system.


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bullet08

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
10,185
41,406
RTP, NC. USA
Mine are pretty dead-center. Sorry for the pictures. I would do better in the sun.

I'm a woodworker and it is really, really hard to drill a long, perfect hole at an angle. If I were on the line at Peterson, perfect draft hole placement would be one of the stand-out features of my higher-end pipes.

My Sherlock is close to dead-nuts center. My System is higher. Could be part of the system.


View attachment 200232View attachment 200231
Those seems to be draught hole exit in the chamber. Mortise is the other end. Just brought this up because there has been few new members' questions regarding drilling in the mortise end. Of course, there were also questions regarding the hole in the chamber, but I think that's mostly answered/understood at this point. Why is it higher, won't that leave a lot of dottles, can I raise the floor..
 

ashdigger

Lifer
Jul 30, 2016
11,392
70,232
61
Vegas Baby!!!
How in the hell is a pipe cleaner supposed to travel through a Plip down a bent pipe stem into an angled bore.

Peterson deliberately makes military mounts on their pipes.

The straight Peterson bulldogs I own pass a pipe cleaner.

I personally think passing a pipe cleaner is more bullshit nonsense pipe lore we have to retire and move on from.

Pass a pipe cleaner or not. The things we stack in our heads is ridiculous when it comes to pipe smoking.

I’d love to see empirical evidence that a 1 mm difference in where the draft hole is matters.
 

Piping Abe

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 27, 2021
600
1,681
North Dakota, USA
How in the hell is a pipe cleaner supposed to travel through a Plip down a bent pipe stem into an angled bore.

Peterson deliberately makes military mounts on their pipes.

The straight Peterson bulldogs I own pass a pipe cleaner.

I personally think passing a pipe cleaner is more bullshit nonsense pipe lore we have to retire and move on from.

Pass a pipe cleaner or not. The things we stack in our heads is ridiculous when it comes to pipe smoking.

I’d love to see empirical evidence that a 1 mm difference in where the draft hole is matters.
Well said +1
 

Reggie

Part of the Furniture Now
Aug 22, 2020
660
3,174
Gardendale, Alabama
When I first started smoking Peterson pipes, I noticed that draught hole exit in the mortise was higher than the dead center. I thought that was odd. But the pipe smoked just fine. No gurgling, no moisture issue. Then I heard people complaining about Peterson pipe not passing pipe cleaner test. I thought maybe there's an issue. But didn't bother me much, I always break down my pipes mid-smoke to wipe out possible moisture in the mortise. Then I started smoking System pipes and I found out the reason for the off center drilling. There are few possible answers, but I do not know if any of them are by design, or it's just me seeing the benefit.

1) With draught hole exit drilled higher in mortise, you'll have less chance of moisture from stem going into chamber. 2) Peterson craftsmen are instructed to drill draught hole like System pipes. 3) Peterson craftsmen are so used to working in System pipes, or don't know how else to drill draught hole.

If you look at the diagram below of a System pipe, you will notice that, at least in System pipes, exit is drilled higher by design. This along with other features are in place to give a smoker drier smoke.

Draught hole in fully bent Peterson pipes are all drilled like System pipes. Other less bent pipes are also drilled higher than the center. Most any bent Peterson pipes will not pass pipe cleaner test, but that really doesn't say much other than you don't want to break you pipe down as often as I do.

Since the last change of ownership of Peterson, I noticed the draught hole more towards the center, and some of the pipes having shallower mortise. Not sure what's going on. Maybe just few pipes with different drilling or the owners are listening to pipe cleaner test connoisseurs.

View attachment 200226
I have observed the same ,as far as, the hole draft hole being drilled high in the mortise. I assumed the same that it was to prevent moisture from draining into the chamber.
 
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Peterson314

Can't Leave
Sep 13, 2019
499
4,063
Atlanta, GA
Those seems to be draught hole exit in the chamber. Mortise is the other end. Just brought this up because there has been few new members' questions regarding drilling in the mortise end. Of course, there were also questions regarding the hole in the chamber, but I think that's mostly answered/understood at this point. Why is it higher, won't that leave a lot of dottles, can I raise the floor..
Ah. I didn't catch that you were talking about the draught hole in the mortise. I shoulda read closer.

Well, in my 314 and in my Sherlock, the draught hole in the mortise starts higher than dead-nuts center because the drill bit needs to drill in at a pretty good angle to make a straight line bore in such a curved pipe as the 314 and the Calabash. Starting higher gives just enough room to make the cut.

I don't think it matters other than aesthetics.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
44,832
116,648
How in the hell is a pipe cleaner supposed to travel through a Plip down a bent pipe stem into an angled bore.
I don't think anyone has complained about the system pipes, nothing is meant to line up in them due to the moisture trapping feature. When regular shaping has off drilling, that's when I find it bothersome.

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irishearl

Lifer
Aug 2, 2016
2,255
4,037
Kansas
Bothersome aesthetically or functional?

These are tobacco pipes after all.
Off-centered drilling-and have few pipes of any brand I own where it is centered-hasn't made 1 whit of difference in my smoking experience. As to the pipe cleaner business, if a smoke gets wet before I'm done with it, I take the stem out and use the cleaner with stem and/or mortise. Then put it back and resume smoking. No big deal.
 

OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
6,736
36,352
72
Sydney, Australia
This problem is not restricted to Petes
I have other pipes where this happens - either by design or because of the angulation of the shank.

It’s NOT a deal breaker as far as I’m concerned.
Easy fix with a cleaner
 
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Piping Rooster

Can't Leave
Jun 29, 2022
398
2,072
Champa Bay
The reason they are drilled high is the angle of the mortise in relation to the bottom if the chamber. It has to be that way to line up with the bottom of the chamber. Any lower angle and you drill the outer edge of the mortise top.
 
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georged

Lifer
Mar 7, 2013
6,014
16,290

Davy

Can't Leave
Nov 22, 2022
324
885
System pipes aside and full bent shapes aside (say, an Oom Paul) as well, doesn't anyone wonder why pipe manufacturers and artisans insist on aligning the air channels properly?
If there's no rationale to it, why have they spent (and still do) more considerable time ensuring this, instead of saying screw this, it's a waste of time?
That can't only be related to the convenience of passing a pipe cleaner without breaking the stem.
 

craig61a

Lifer
Apr 29, 2017
6,159
52,925
Minnesota USA
Another thread on this subject a few months ago:

Several times per year for several years… and nothing ever gets resolved.
 
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craig61a

Lifer
Apr 29, 2017
6,159
52,925
Minnesota USA
It’s got a hole in both ends and smoke comes out when I suck on it… fabulous.

Poul Winsløw cranks out a lot of pipes, and I’m a big fan of his pipes. If one were to look at how the chamber and airway are drilled in his pipes, then you’d get an idea of how, in my opinion, it should be done.
 
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