How to Unscrew a Mouthpiece

[itsnotuitsme]

Title edited.

I recently got into a discussion about how to properly screw on and off a mouthpiece. Until now, I always screwed it in clockwise and screwed it off counterclockwise, just like i would a screw, because it feels natural to me, as all the mini grooves on the tenon would be roughly the same diagonal direction. The argument from the other side was, to always turn it right, as that's the way the drill turned originally and that's supposed to minimise the chance to break the shank...

What's your philosophy about it and why?

By the way, if there's already a thread regarding this, I'd appreciate a pointer, i couldn't find anything.

 

[proteus]

Never really thought about it. I go back and forth and I've never had an issue after decades of doing it this way.

 

[paulfg]

I read somewhere,always clockwise.Thats what I do
The reason given ,that is the direction of the drill.As you stated.
No idea if it makes a different but seemed sensible to me

 

[AJL67]

Well, I believe in Philip Marlowe a mouthpiece is a lawyer, assuming female what she look like?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Clockwise taking stem both off and on.

 

[PiperCalvinist]

Title edited.

I recently got into a discussion about how to properly screw on and off a mouthpiece. Until now, I always screwed it in clockwise and screwed it off counterclockwise, just like i would a screw, because it feels natural to me, as all the mini grooves on the tenon would be roughly the same diagonal direction. The argument from the other side was, to always turn it right, as that's the way the drill turned originally and that's supposed to minimise the chance to break the shank...

What's your philosophy about it and why?

By the way, if there's already a thread regarding this, I'd appreciate a pointer, i couldn't find anything.

Title edited.

I recently got into a discussion about how to properly screw on and off a mouthpiece. Until now, I always screwed it in clockwise and screwed it off counterclockwise, just like i would a screw, because it feels natural to me, as all the mini grooves on the tenon would be roughly the same diagonal direction. The argument from the other side was, to always turn it right, as that's the way the drill turned originally and that's supposed to minimise the chance to break the shank...

What's your philosophy about it and why?

By the way, if there's already a thread regarding this, I'd appreciate a pointer, i couldn't find anything.

I had the same question and thought when I started smoking, but only had it because I saw guys spin their stems out a specific way. I come from the mechanical engineering field, so when I saw it I thought ? I think folks do it mainly because somebody told them they should, and/or it just makes them feel better about the treatment of their pipes - not because it’s necessary. To each his own. From an engineering standpoint the stem is turned on a machine and then sanded/polished, therefore making any kind of grove direction very negligible. If the pipe is well made it shouldn’t make any difference. The most important thing is that you remove it carefully, not careless or hurriedly.

 

[itsnotuitsme]

I had the same question and thought when I started smoking, but only had it because I saw guys spin their stems out a specific way. I come from the mechanical engineering field, so when I saw it I thought ? I think folks do it mainly because somebody told them they should, and/or it just makes them feel better about the treatment of their pipes - not because it’s necessary. To each his own. From an engineering standpoint the stem is turned on a machine and then sanded/polished, therefore making any kind of grove direction very negligible. If the pipe is well made it shouldn’t make any difference. The most important thing is that you remove it carefully, not careless or hurriedly.

I meant those little groves/scratches, that will inevitably accumulate on the outside of the tenon and having those roughly align with each other versus them criss-crossing. Sorry if I expressed that poorly.

 

[kcghost]

I guess you are talking about pipes that are just that. I think I turn then counterclockwise to take them off then clockwise when putting them on. But after 50 years who knows what I am doing!!

 

[dottlejockey]

I typically just turn everything clockwise as well. Never really thought it was a big deal, but like you, the logic makes sense here and since i heard about it from a trusted pipe maker it's a simple choice. Wouldn't get too dogmatic about it, though.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Clockwise in, counterclockwise out unless they have those delrin screw in mortise and tenon inserts.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Clockwise in, counterclockwise out unless they have those delrin screw in mortise and tenon inserts.

Glad you wrote that, because I re-thought, and I do just that.

With screw ins, which direction is important! Critical, really....

 

[anotherbob]

which ever way has the most give. It's not a freaking baby bird that is just ready to break the moment you twist something the wrong way.

 

[FLDRD]

Somewhere along the way, I was told or read clockwise in, counter-clockwise out.
I've used that and it works fine.
So does the other direction......
I've also found some that practically beg to simply be rotated ever so slightly both directions as it's being inserted - and that works best - for that particular pipe.
I try to find what the pipe likes best, based on the least amount of friction felt and pressure used - and then maintain consistency with it.
<This is where wisdom arrived and I self-edited an analogy>

 

[sablebrush52]

I screw the stem in clockwise and screw it out counterclockwise or back and forth.
I don’t think it matters.
There are bigger things to worry about.

 

[AJL67]

Righty tighty, lefty loosey.

 

[ItsKarl]

I'm new to this, but as there are no threads, I can't see that it matters. I go back and forth. Sometimes it's pretty tight, sometimes it's smooth sailing, and sometimes it's a bit like this

 

[Sig]

I do not believe ive ever heard that before, and I sure do not follow it.
I go whichever way is easiest, its never failed me yet.
I have heard to always remove the stem when the pipe is cool.
I have heard guys say they have loose stems after removing while the pipe is warm.

 

[itsnotuitsme]

There are bigger things to worry about.

Good to hear. Wanted to test the waters, if there had been horror storys of broken stems i definitely would have rethought my twisted ways.

 

[bullet08]

Counterclockwise, both on and off. Except on a full moon. I usually add a good howling with the twist. Then there is the eclipse. Definitely yank it right off the pipe and hope for the best.

 

[itsnotuitsme]

Definitely yank it right off the pipe and hope for the best.

I mean it's a bit weird, but if it works for you, why not.

Counterclockwise, both on and off.

WHAT?! You monster!

Edit: Do you really double CC it though? How did that come to be?