First Time Making Button

[ChuckMijo]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

This is my eBay pipe I’ve been working on. I posted questions about it in another thread. It dates from the 1930s. And is my perfect shape and size I love to smoke. The outside of the pipe was fantastic. No dents or dings. Minor rim dents from ashtray banging. The stampings were clear and defined. That’s about all that was good. The inside of the chamber was thick with cake and I reamed it out. The chamber is in good shape. The shank was horrible. Completely blocked with build up. I honesty believe that this pipe was never cleaned, not once. The stem I thought would be a easy fix. Tooth chatter some deep but nothing I thought I couldn’t handle. Then as was cleaning in up, a huge chunk of the top of the stem broke off. I cut it off and made me a button. I put it side by side with my moorgate because I love the small button and shape on that one. I did by best to copy it. Well it’s not perfect at all, but I’m happy with it. I’m smoking it as I type this. I’ll post some pics I took along the way. This was a fantastic learning experience. Thought I’d share my experience.

 

[brut666]

I think it looks great.
The button looks almost factory, I don't think you would of noticed unless you had said. All in, I think you've done a wonderful job. Well done ????

 

[kcghost]

Well, it does look nice.

 

[anotherbob]

One thing I can say is wow. That's impressive. If I got a pipe like that I'd be so useless and just have to find a replacement stem after testing how smokeable it is with the damaged button.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Nice work Chuck! Looks great. ?

 

[tbradsim1]

Right snappy job!

 

[dmcmtk]

Chuck, it looks good. Needs a better sand 400>600>1200>2000 to clean up the file marks. It's not hard, and you will be happy with the results.

 

[LOREN]

Looks great !

 

[ChuckMijo]

Yh

Chuck, it looks good. Needs a better sand 400>600>1200>2000 to clean up the file marks. It's not hard, and you will be happy with the results.

Yep it could use a lot more work. I sort of got tired of messing with it. I spent 3 hours just cleaning it. And another 4 restoring it. I probably will take sometime Sunday and round out all the sanding. Clean up the button. I was just excited to put a few bowls through it. I will say this , this pipe has the most open draw I ever tried. I really like it. The button shape and size is exactly to my liking. But yhea it still needs a lot of work

 

[brut666]

I really like it.

Then, it's perfect.
All you can do now is make it more so. Again, well done ??

 

[dmcmtk]

Yh

Yep it could use a lot more work. I sort of got tired of messing with it. I spent 3 hours just cleaning it. And another 4 restoring it. I probably will take sometime Sunday and round out all the sanding. Clean up the button. I was just excited to put a few bowls through it. I will say this , this pipe has the most open draw I ever tried. I really like it. The button shape and size is exactly to my liking. But yhea it still needs a lot of work

A comment about pipe work, it's best to know when to stop and think about where you are, and what to do next. Never rushing just to "finish".

 

[brut666]

A comment about pipe work, it's best to know when to stop and think about where you are, and what to do next. Never rushing just to "finish".

Amen

 

[saltedplug]

With your work it looks perfect, and given the stem I doubt you paid that much for it? So a double win.

 

[didimauw]

I hate stem work. And I've done a few buttons, and that's some difficult stuff. Nice job!

 

[ChuckMijo]

Well I reshaped the button to define it more. Sanded the stem slope to even it Sanded everything and buffed to glass. No scratches. I like the button a lot more now. I’m calling this one done. Thanks everyone.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Looks great! Like it came that way. ?

 

[jhowell]

Well done!

 

[mso489]

That is really precise work. The button is such a key to the enjoyability of a pipe.

 

[brut666]

Looks fab, how does it feel compared to when you first showed us?
Looks comfy.

 

[jttnk]

Great work! I love seeing old stuff that looks junked, come back to life. Enjoy.