First Time Making a Stem.

[jewman22]

So I tried my hand at making a new stem the other day. I bought some vulcanite and some delrin as I had purchased an Estate Brebbia a while ago that had a random stem thrown in it. But the stummel was in great shape, so I finally got around to playing with this foreign to me material, I still prefer metal, but hey, not a bad material to work with this hard rubber thing.
I decided I wanted a saddle stem, and its a bent pipe anyway, it made the bending easier. Got a very slight twist in the bend, not a lot.
Not a whole lot of lathe time, but a lot of filing and sanding and polishing, took about 4hrs total ish.
And this is the result.

I accidentally rounded where the stem meets the shank just a touch, but still pleased with how my first attempt turned out.
Had my first smoke in it today after finishing it. Had me a nice bowl of Warped Until the End, and me likey.
Got an old Billiard that a buddy gave me that needs a stem, gonna try acrylic next.
Can only get better right? I hope.

 

[Waning Embers]

Looks great!

gonna try acrylic next.

That stuff's easy to burn, I'd go with juma.

 

[jewman22]

Looks great!



That stuff's easy to burn, I'd go with juma.

What is juma?

 

[Waning Embers]

What is juma?

A resin based material used for pipe stems that's often found used in knife handles. Has a similar softness as ebonite without the oxidation.

 

[kcghost]

Probably a decent first effort. Why are you giving up vulcanite so quickly?? You have a good ways to go in making them.

 

[jewman22]

A resin based material used for pipe stems that's often found used in knife handles. Has a similar softness as ebonite without the oxidation.

View attachment 107306

Very cool, I'l have to get some of that stuff.

Probably a decent first effort. Why are you giving up vulcanite so quickly?? You have a good ways to go in making them.

Not giving up on Vulcanite, I just prefer to lower maintenance Acrylic.
But I started work on a Old Owl that my buddy gave me, made a brass band last night and been working on the stem for a few hours now. So far Acrylic is proving to be a bastard material to work with by comparison.

 

[gamzultovah]

Looks great!

 

[OzPiper]

??. Great 1st effort.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Great work. No way I have the patience for all the sanding, buffing and polishing.

 

[Waning Embers]

I just prefer to lower maintenance Acrylic.

Get German ebonite, you really have to be trying to get that stuff to oxidize. Acrylic bubbles and singes too easily if you're not careful when shaping it.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Wow!!!

 

[Bobby Bailey]

Get German ebonite, you really have to be trying to get that stuff to oxidize. Acrylic bubbles and singes too easily if you're not careful when shaping it.

No reason to get it that hot.

 

[Waning Embers]

No reason to get it that hot.

A belt or disc sander will get it hot enough to cause it.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

A belt or disc sander will get it hot enough to cause it.

Oh, I agree with that. Knowing what tools, and how to use them, is the key to any good work.

 

[Waning Embers]

Oh, I agree with that. Knowing what tools, and how to use them, is the key to any good work.

Ebonite can take more abuse before the heat begins to damage it. I prefer working with it for that reason.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

Ebonite can take more abuse before the heat begins to damage it. I prefer working with it for that reason.

Fully understand. My earlier comment was that I didn't see any need to get it that hot. There are good ways to work it without getting it hot.

 

[Waning Embers]

Fully understand. My earlier comment was that I didn't see any need to get it that hot. There are good ways to work it without getting it hot.

Sometimes it just happens. A very fragile material to work with.

 

[craig61a]

Drilling acrylic can be problematic too...

 

[Bobby Bailey]

Drilling acrylic can be problematic too...

Again, it goes to knowledge of the material and ones tools.

 

[Waning Embers]

Again, it goes to knowledge of the material and ones tools.

Mind sharing your work? This was drilled and shaped entirely with a drill press and belt sander.