Estate Pipe With Tight Fitting Stem

[MonarchistPiper]

I got a Stanwell POTY 1995 from a reputable seller, but sadly because of the flight from the US to here the temperature must have messed with the stem. Now it fits waaaay to tight, any advice?

 

[ssjones]

Let it sit for a few days. If it is still tight, rub some pencil lead on it (or powdered graphite of you have it).

 

[Mez]

I got a new peterson sherlock holmes from SPC. It also had a stem that would not budge. They said they recommend putting it in a ziplock bag and putting it in the freezer for a day. I did that, it worked temporarily. I ended up sanding the male portion of the stem and now its fine. I think the moisture from smoking it was making the briar swell.

 

[mingc]

What @ssjones said. Patience is required. I would let a just delivered pipe sit for a week or even more, to let it acclimatize, before I decide whether it has too loose or tight a stem.

 

[MonarchistPiper]

What @ssjones said. Patience is required. I would let a just delivered pipe sit for a week or even more, to let it acclimatize, before I decide whether it has too loose or tight a stem.

Yeah I just put the pipe together and Im gonna let it sit

 

[MonarchistPiper]

What @ssjones said. Patience is required. I would let a just delivered pipe sit for a week or even more, to let it acclimatize, before I decide whether it has too loose or tight a stem.

Or do you recommend letting the stem and stummel sit separately?

 

[mingc]

Or do you recommend letting the stem and stummel sit separately?

I don't know if it makes a difference but I leave them fitted together so they'll conform to each other.

 

[Searock Fan]

Take a candle and rub it on the tenon....

 

[spike]

I have had success with rubbing Ivory bar soap on the tenon.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Now I’m in the powered graphite camp.

The first pipe I messed with I tried wax, heat and sanding the stem of, and is currently at Briarville for a new stem and most likely a band on the shank.

I jumped into pipe work within 72hrs of laying eyes on my father’s pipes in his garage, not anything I’d recommend (and why I recommend practicing on junker estates before taking mechanical means to any pipes that mean anything to someone).

 

[ssjones]

Now I’m in the powered graphite camp.

The first pipe I messed with I tried wax, heat and sanding the stem of, and is currently at Briarville for a new stem and most likely a band on the shank.

I jumped into pipe work within 72hrs of laying eyes on my father’s pipes in his garage, not anything I’d recommend (and why I recommend practicing on junker estates before taking mechanical means to any pipes that mean anything to someone).

Don't try to remember where you bought it, a tube will last two decades or so!

 

[Sobrbiker]

Don't try to remember where you bought it, a tube will last two decades or so!

Yessir, I’m sure this one’s almost there-got it for the Jewell trigger in my match rifle-and I got that one in ‘10 or 11. Hundreds of locks, etc and it still feels half full.

 

[Dshift]

In my experience graphite helps, but not for a really tight stem. The freezer is very effective but temporary. Careful and slow sanding is your best bet, even if you overdo it a bit you could always use wax, heat or heat+ something like a thin paint brush to expand the tenon to fit perfectly. I find fixing loose stems a lot easier than tight ones.
P.S. be extremely careful with the tight stem, when I first started with restoring I managed to crack a Tsuge and a Parker because of tight stems

 

[Sigmund]

Sometimes sanding is the only answer but its wise not to jump into it before exploring less invasive means. Derlin used for 9mm pipes doesnt have a memory. If the pipe is clean and its too tight graphite helps but sometimes its just too tight and begging for trouble.

The good thing is if a 9mm junction breaks and leaves the stem intact you can clean it out and install a new sleeve.