Fixable…?

[beargreasediet]

Bought this Stanwell Danish Star at auction because I like the grain and figured I could fix the bit wit epoxy. However, on further inspection, the hole is a bit bigger than I thought and the material is very thin…. Thought I might try filling the hole and adding some material to the top of the bit to make it a little thicker. Anybody ever tied anything like this?

Does anyone know if Briarworks has any replacement stems in this configuration?

 

[captainsousie]

Oy, sorry man but it looks like full replacement time and not sure Briarworks could do one from stock (doubt it actually).

 

[Chasing Embers]

Black epoxy putty.

 

[craig61a]

1.) Find a cereal box. Cut in shape of triangle to fit into funnel. Tape it. Put some vaseline on it. Stick it in the funnel.
2.) Mix up some black super glue and powdered activated charcoal. Fill the hole.
3.) After a couple of days, file the excess, sand the area, then polish. Remove the cardboard insert.
4.) Smoke it up...

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

You can do all that or do what you should. Spend $30 or so with a proper repair shop and have a new stem made.

 

[condorlover1]

If you want instant results put a 'softy' on the stem to cover the 'pot hole' or as my dear friend @hoosierpipeguy suggests go to a repair shop or call Briarville after sending them a picture of your hole. That didn't quite come out they way I wanted but I am sure you get the general gist of what I am saying!

 

[sablebrush52]

The smart move is to get a new stem made. These epoxy fixes are pretty hit or miss. The epoxy doesn't really meld with the surrounding material and can fall off.

 

[kcghost]

Get a new stem for it. Rarely will the original carver make a new one for you but there are a number of experienced refurb guys who will do it and relatively cheaply.

 

[georged]

Yup. Too big to patch.

Patches work OK for pinholes, but not cases like yours.

New stem time.

 

[beargreasediet]

That’s what I am learning to love about this place - practical, varied, humorous and timely answers to otherwise perplexing questions. My sincere thanks.

I’ve got some of that Gflex epoxy and picked up some black pigment. I’ve got to mix up a batch for another stem repair anyway so I might as well try the method @craig61a suggested, and update with results. Sounds like it will be a bust but hopefully I will learn something.

For future reference, is Briarville usually the first call for a replacement stem?

 

[mso489]

If you go with a replacement stem I'd at least consider having it done as a tapered stem on that pipe. It's a replacement, so the original Stanwell design will be compromised, and I think a tapered stem would look better on that pipe, perhaps. See what you think. Also, a tortoise shell or ivory colored stem would brighten up what is a rather solemn color scheme at present.

 

[condorlover1]

@mso489 : Are you a secret interior decorator?

 

[craig61a]

Patching it will work fine, If the bit is thin you can build up the area around the back to give it some added thickness. I've done this numerous times, and I've got pipes 20 years old that had bigger chunks missing and they've held up. As long as you don't intend on chewing on the bit it'll be fine. I've also spliced new rear bit sections on and they hold up just fine too. I used stainless steel tubing to splice.

I usually make a new stem if the existing stem is too far gone. I'll use a blank or handcut a new rubber stem. If it's a valuable pipe, well then I'll take it to Rich Lewis who's just a couple miles away.

If anything it's an opportunity to hone your repair and shaping, sanding and polishing chops. And if you mess it up you can always get a new stem made.

 

[craig61a]

I'm a mild and lazy guy...

 

[beargreasediet]

If the bit is thin you can build up the area around the back to give it some added thickness.

That’s awesome, kinda what I had in mind. Also on the top, hoping a thicker layer of epoxy around the area will not only strengthen the already thin stem but help anchor the patch.

I usually make a new stem if the existing stem is too far gone. I'll use a blank or handcut a new rubber stem.

This is probably something I will have to do sooner rather than later as I’ve got a box of estates inbound. Do you use the Pimo blanks and turning tool or are there other options I should consider? A lathe would be the cat’s ass, unfortunately I don’t have one at this point.

 

[beargreasediet]

If you go with a replacement stem I'd at least consider having it done as a tapered stem on that pipe. It's a replacement, so the original Stanwell design will be compromised, and I think a tapered stem would look better on that pipe, perhaps. See what you think. Also, a tortoise shell or ivory colored stem would brighten up what is a rather solemn color scheme at present.

Gonna take out some dings and re-stain, perhaps a bit lighter, but I like the idea, might add a little bling

 

[craig61a]

That’s awesome, kinda what I had in mind. Also on the top, hoping a thicker layer of epoxy around the area will not only strengthen the already thin stem but help anchor the patch.

I would sand the area for better adhesion. And I don't use epoxy...

Do you use the Pimo blanks and turning tool or are there other options I should consider? A lathe would be the cat’s ass, unfortunately I don’t have one at this point.

Yes, yes, and yes.

 

[beargreasediet]

Blending the transition from epoxy to the vulcanite is not a trivial thing. In the process of trying to do that I removed more of the patch than I would have liked, we’ll see how it holds up. Need to get a rubber for it for certain.

We’ll call this a learner pipe - glad it was cheap. Overall it looks pretty, so long as you don’t look too close at the mouthpiece…

 

[FurCoat]

I think it turned out good. Nice looking pipe.

 

[beargreasediet]

I think it turned out good. Nice looking pipe.

Thank you friend. If it were a decent pipe (≥ $5000.00) I would have a new stem made, barring that I would scratch it up again and add more epoxy to resahape the lip and feather a little further. But it was all for fun. Gaining respect by the minute for those folks who do this sort of thing at a high level.