Does anybody know what to use to replace the white dot, and a source? I’m guessing a white acrylic rod of correct diameter (0.075 in), but have no clue where to begin looking for one. Thanks in advance for any tips and suggestions.
DUNHILL Dot Replacement
- Thread starter GrampaJoseph
- Start date
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To look right, it must be vintage celluloid.
To fit right (because Dunhill dot diameters changed slightly with every production run), the rod must be ground to the exact diameter).
To fit right (because Dunhill dot diameters changed slightly with every production run), the rod must be ground to the exact diameter).
georged has sound advice.
There is actually a pipe maker who also does restoration up near you in Doyle Ca, Max Capps, PM if you want me to send you a introductory email/contact information.
There is actually a pipe maker who also does restoration up near you in Doyle Ca, Max Capps, PM if you want me to send you a introductory email/contact information.
One of my friends would be perfectly happy with what you have as-is. When I smoked my Shell Briar Billiard in front of her, she said "that white spot is annoying, can't you get rid of it?". I will not show her this.
I used a small piece of plastic from a bra that I found at home.
easy fix is nail polish Hard as nails, dab a little, presto you’ve got a white spot
Ah! Of course! Thanks for the pics, too. Makes the whole process perfectly clear. Thanks!!!
(Side Note: I don't have a lathe, but I could put a 1/4" square rod in a variable speed drill to custom grind the exact fit with files and sandpaper. Now I need to hunt some vintage celluloid rod. I will have fun with this. Half the fun of collecting for me is the refurb.)
Ah! Of course! Thanks for the pics, too. Makes the whole process perfectly clear. Thanks!!!
(Side Note: I don't have a lathe, but I could put a 1/4" square rod in a variable speed drill to custom grind the exact fit with files and sandpaper. Now I need to hunt some vintage celluloid rod. I will have fun with this. Half the fun of collecting for me is the refurb.)
Yup. No lathe required. Hand drill + belt sander (or equivalent) + a steady hand & eye = good to go.
Here is some info that might save you a "learning experience" or two after the dot is ground:
Maybe opt for the rare black dot? Sorry, had to say it. lol
Years ago I replaced a broken Dunhill stem with a Lucite one (a big improvement!). For the white dot I found some round, plastic toothpicks in various colors, picked a white one, drilled the stem, stuck the toothpick in with a dab of super glue, cut it off, sanded and polished it, ran a long drill bit through the stem to remove any pick sticking inside. And bam! not like new but better that new.
Here are two earlier threads about Dunhill stems and dots.
LOTS of info and pics:
Spotting Replacement Dunhill Stems (pre-1970) :: Pipe Talk - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/spotting-replacement-dunhill-stems-pre-1970.93320/
Dunhill White Spot Drama :: British Pipes - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/dunhill-white-spot-drama.62596/
LOTS of info and pics:
Spotting Replacement Dunhill Stems (pre-1970) :: Pipe Talk - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/spotting-replacement-dunhill-stems-pre-1970.93320/
Dunhill White Spot Drama :: British Pipes - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/dunhill-white-spot-drama.62596/
And as long as stems are the topic of discussion, here is an example of the "degree" of replication required to qualify as restoration, as opposed to just a clean-up or functional replacement.
The bar is the following test: if a replacement stem made today could be transported via time machine back into a batch of pipes sitting on the QA guy's desk in 1924 (or whenever), and he passes it with an appraising glance, that's a restoration. If the QA guy looks at it once, then again, then closer still, and finally scowls and puts it in the "flunked" pile, that's a clean-up or mere functional replacement.
The bar is the following test: if a replacement stem made today could be transported via time machine back into a batch of pipes sitting on the QA guy's desk in 1924 (or whenever), and he passes it with an appraising glance, that's a restoration. If the QA guy looks at it once, then again, then closer still, and finally scowls and puts it in the "flunked" pile, that's a clean-up or mere functional replacement.