First Crack at Pipe Making

[RodneyPierce]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Well, had a gracious buddy donate an old 4 jaw chuck to me, along with a chunk of briar, ebonite and a couple drill bits. So figured I may as well give it a shot! I almost messed the block up twice, and did mess the stem up but was able to save it. I over drilled the airway as you can see in the pictures, but learned a good number of things!

The next one will be better!

 

[RodneyPierce]

And the finished product. Chamber is a tad deep, but it smoked the first two bowls just grand!

 

[Ahi Ka]

Somehow when I read the title I managed to miss the word “at”...

 

[kurtbob]

Turned out real nice! (No pun intended with the lathe work)

 

[wordheavy]

Looks good to me. Came out nice, especially for the first go at it.

 

[gamzultovah]

Very nice! Keep going!

 

[Mr_houston]

That’s really impressive.
Once you’ve turned the block, what did you use to finish shaping it - files, belt sander?

 

[trouttimes]

Very nice first try! Keep going. They should each become better as you learn what not to do. Report back after 20 or so smokes and let us know how it breaks in.

 

[stevecourtright]

Until you rusticated it, I thought it was on the chunky side, but now I see why you leave a little extra meat on the bone... The rustication lightens it up nicely. I would say that it's a terrific pipe, especially since it's your first. Well done.

 

[mso489]

A great learning curve, highly valuable, with good results. I don't carve pipes, but I do admire it. A deep bowl can be one desirable result, not a flaw.

 

[RodneyPierce]

That’s really impressive.
Once you’ve turned the block, what did you use to finish shaping it - files, belt sander?

I used a sanding flap wheel chucked in the lathe . Then finished with a dremel and finally hand sanding with sanding sponges.

I eventually want to get a belt sander and a disc.

 

[kcghost]

Fairly good effort for the first time out.

 

[anotherbob]

you realize your title is going to disappoint a lot of crackheads. Nothing wrong with that. Just my first thought on seeing that title.

 

[anotherbob]

not saying I'd make a good pipe but the pipes people with little experience are making seem to say it's not as hard as they want us to think. Either that or we have a bunch of talented carvers here.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Love the chunky Dublin shape!! I would be happy with the smooth or rusticated finish.

 

[RodneyPierce]

not saying I'd make a good pipe but the pipes people with little experience are making seem to say it's not as hard as they want us to think. Either that or we have a bunch of talented carvers here.

I will say.. after doing this one, I respect pipe makers even more than I did before.

 

[anotherbob]

I will say.. after doing this one, I respect pipe makers even more than I did before.

that reminds me of the big question how much time did it take to make that? It reminds me of how many products that are handmade people will be all like "why does that cost so much?" Oh cause you're paying for the time it took for someone or several of them to make it. You know cause they have expenses and all that stuff.

 

[RodneyPierce]

that reminds me of the big question how much time did it take to make that? It reminds me of how many products that are handmade people will be all like "why does that cost so much?" Oh cause you're paying for the time it took for someone or several of them to make it. You know cause they have expenses and all that stuff.

I probably had 8-9 hours in it. Maybe a little more.

 

[anotherbob]

I probably had 8-9 hours in it. Maybe a little more.

So at 15 bucks an hour (thinking new at a skilled position seems like a good middle place to start) would be 135 just on potential labor costs. And of course the pros would do it faster but still that explains the price of the average factory made pipe. And should say that if you're looking to safe money carving your own pipe is only worthwhile if you have more time then money. So better be a labor of love or just work one over time shift and buy a new pipe. I'd love to try making my own pipe. To be honest I'd love it even if it looked like a toddler carved it and it smoked like crap.