GBD 9438 Reburb

[ssjones]

Whew, this stem was the most difficult I've encountered in my short pipe restoration experience, and I hope not to see an another one any time soon.
This is a pre-Cadogan era 9438 in Tapestry finish. The stem is called a "chairleg", I call it a finger breaker. I can usually redo a pipe (stem/bowl, no restain) in around 2 hours. The stem alone on this one took nearly three hours of sanding. I didn't want to change or alter the dimensions of the spindle style features of the stem, so I used 1500, than 2000 wet grit paper. I followed that with the final four grades of micromesh. The stem was than buffed with white diamond, than plastic polish. I had to use the paper grades wrapped around a thin kitchen knife to get in the spindle grooves.
The bowl didn't take much, but some stain came off during clean-up of the top. I'll see how that darkens with use and if it doesn't I have some stains on order (Medium brown I assume?).
After two hours in and only on the 1500/2000 grit papers, I was tempted to give up, but pushed through and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I love the 9438 shape and this will make a fine little brother rack mate for my 9676. I'll break her in with some MM965 tomorrow morning.
Before:


Finished:








The 9438 and it's big brother, a 9676 Colossus.

 

[dervis]

That is a beautiful pipe. Wonderful job man.

 

[dervis]

This pipe is so awesome I am posting twice. Best pipe I have seen this year hands down.

 

[pstlpkr]

Al those are GRRRRRRREAT!

 

[batdemon]

I think your time spent on that paid off big time. Great job! :clap:

 

[spartan]

It looks like a true Franken-pipe. She's a looker for sure.
Damn nice refurb. Hard work pays off! :clap:

 

[frtimmyd]

Incredible looking refurb. That is one beautiful pipe and you should be glad to be it's owner.

 

[zanthal]

marvelous job cleaning that up.
it went from worn out old estate pipe to being barely discernible from brand new.
:clap:

 

[wildcat]

Wow! Thanks for sharing both pipes. Real lookers! What did you do to the bowl etc. Would love to hear your process. Good smoking to ya!

 

[rigmedic1]

Wow, that came out fantastic. Great job!

 

[ssjones]

Thanks guys. That was my 10th estate refurb.

A Charatan After Hours awaits my still aching fingers. This one will need a restain and the bowl sanded smooth, probably. Both are new tasks I haven't yet done. But gratefully, the stem should be a snap. Here's a sneak peak:

 

[papipeguy]

Very nice job. Its also nice that the rondelle remained intact. I have several GBD's that have lost theirs. I doubt that I can find replacements.

 

[ssjones]

Walker will put a rondel on a new stem for a GBD, but I think you might need to provide the original stem/rondel.

 

[weezell]

Good job Al :clap:

 

[smokenscotch]

Fantastic job! She's a beaut.

 

[briarbird]

Pretty amazing, great job!

 

[ejames]

Very nice !!

 

[lifeon2]

that looks fantastic man which plastic polish did you use?

 

[ssjones]

I use "Blue Magic" plastic polish, Meguiars also makes a good product. Either available at most autoparts stores.
I smoked the pipe this morning. Wow, what a perfect little pipe. Great for reading, etc. One match for the bowl, excellent draw and only a hint of ghost towards the end. I like MM965 (in general) and for breaking in an estate, it seems to work pretty well in banishing ghosts after a few bowls.

 

[modernchicago]

Beautiful job on the Pipe! I am a big fan of the chairleg stem - had a GBD Penthouse with that stem once (see pipephil.eu - he steals my photos)

For those with pipe envy - this one will be available this evening - smoked once, barely: