How To Unclog A Churchwarden Stem?

[sablebrush52]

I have full length pipe cleaners but right now I can't get a bristle brush through. It hits a particular spot from either end and stops like there's a pipe of tobacco dried and stuck to the inside of the stem. I'm wondering if an overnight soak in water might help softer up whatever it is.

You need churchwarden length, or a spool of pipe cleaner that you can cut to length. Wet the pipe cleaner with alchohol and work it in as far as you can. Then walk away for 20 minutes and start twisting it against the blockage. You'll gradually wear away the crud. You may have to repeat this a number of times before the blockage is gone.

 

[shanez]

An alcohol soak didn't help. I'm not getting any color out either so I'm beginning to suspect the stem has a flaw in the airway.

Not sure what to do next.

 

[anotherbob]

Only he knelt down since I was a small child ?

and that's how you ruin a good mental image with facts.

 

[BROBS]

An alcohol soak didn't help. I'm not getting any color out either so I'm beginning to suspect the stem has a flaw in the airway.

Not sure what to do next.

How far in from the button is it?

 

[craig61a]

I’ve used old guitar strings to clear stuff like that. They bend, and have enough strength to push through obstructions, without crumpling like a pipe cleaner.

I usually polish the airway of a stem using a pipe cleaner with some Rottenstone applied. Chuck it in a drill And spin it...

 

[shanez]

How far in from the button is it?

About 2.5"

 

[georged]

Did someone call for a 5/64" x 12 aircraft drill bit?

 

[shanez]

Did someone call for a 5/64" x 12 aircraft drill bit?

View attachment 34895

The obstruction is right where the bend in the stem is.

I'm confident in my skills enough straighten the stem and drill it out but not to re-bend it and have it look right.

I've been thinking of something like threading some twine with some lapping compound on it through the airway. Not sure how effective it would be though.

 

[weezell]

I'd send it off to Rich @ Briarville rather than screwing it up my self. Just saying. Would not cost much...

 

[Country Bladesmith]

@craig61a had a pretty good idea with the guitar string. Maybe a low E string might push it out. If it’s an uncoated string it might be abrasive enough to open it up. Kind of like a less aggressive rope saw.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I'd send it off to Rich @ Briarville rather than screwing it up my self. Just saying. Would not cost much...

Of course this is probably the most sensible answer, but I can’t back away from a challenge personally, whether it’s a smart idea or not. ?

 

[didimauw]

A warm water flush tends to knock out gunk in a stummel and stem, that I didn't know was there!

 

[georged]

The amount of discussion generated by this thread reminded me how vexing the problem of a blocked airway can be.

There is a simple solution that costs (almost) nothing, though:

 

[tkcolo]

You could probably also tempt the tuba player with a double cheeseburger. I’m just saying, have you ever seen a skinny tuba player?

That is anti-tubist. Reported to Admin... Tubists have a lot of air, but we can't even play trumpets because the mouthpiece is too small.

My 2nd chair tubist in high school was also the hottest girl in school. Seriously. It was a little weird at my high school.