Ideas - what works - mortise/shank cleaning

[peteguy]

I want to try and get the inside of a mortise/shank down to bare briar. What thoughts, ideas, and what has worked for you in the past. I would prefer not to drill.
Thanks for any input.

 

[bigvan]

Shank: alcohol and lots of bristle pipe cleaners

Mortice: alcohol and lots of Qtips
Don't over think it.

 

[spartan]

+1 to Bigvan.
Might take some elbow greese but it'll get there eventually.
If you are looking to take the top layer of briar off then... scrape with a very small knife? lol
Be careful with knives!

 

[tokerpipes]

Emory paper and a dowl.

 

[bigvan]

Wait, we're talking about the shank and mortice, right? Sorry guys, but I would NEVER scrape off the "top layer" or ANY amount of briar from the mortice or shank. Or sand it with emory paper and a dowel. It could seriously affect the fit of the tenon, airflow, and/or overall smoking quality of the pipe.

 

[spartan]

It sure could. But he asked...
*High pitched drill sounds*
I wouldn't suggest using anything but pipe cleaners and Q-tips.
But I plead guilty to taking a knife to the mortise lol. The tenon was a tight fit... sue me.

 

[tokerpipes]

Same here with the emory. Tenon was a little big just a couple turns around the inside of the shank and once around the tennon. Perfect fit.

 

[cortezattic]

I think Bigvan is right. I never modified a pipe than didn't end up in the garbage. :crying:

Fortunately, I learned this humbling lesson on Medicos and basket pipes.

 

[tokerpipes]

Well you would never do it to a Ben Wade or anything in that quality. But when you got to make the adjustments you do what you got to do on the cheap pipes.

 

[peteguy]

Thanks for all the replies - the Q-tip did just fine. I bought an estate Peterson and noticed some stain that I didnt want to smoke. I didn't realize that a Q-tip would work. Still learning after all these years.

 

[baronsamedi]

I just replaced the mortise and tenon both in my Meer. The tenon was old and damaged and the mortise had cracked, due to being mis-matched with the tenon. As Fred once pointed out, you should always replace both at the same time. I didn't do that, so I ended up with a busted mortise.
I had to put the stem in the freezer to get the old tenon off and then I cleaned both the shank and stem with Q-Tips, 50 proof vodka and bristle cleaners. I put some beeswax on the threads of the new parts, screwed them in and it was perfect. No fuss!
I bought the push-pull mortise and tenon from Pipe Maker's Emporium and they were only $10.20 for a dozen! They were good quality and shipped fast! Great people to deal with!

 

[cajunguy]

1. Rubbing alcohol for a cleaning solution;

2. Q-Tips for application and scrubbing

3. Blunt side of a BBQ Skewer + old T-Shirt to get into the shank and collect all the loose goop. Put the skewer into one layer of T-shirt, carefully push the skewer into the shank, and gently rotate to collect the goop

4. Rinse and repeat
Works like a charm. Just go easy and don't use too much fabric. Too much friction and pressure can pop a shank off in a heartbeat.

 

[schmitzbitz]

I use a shank-brush dipped in a bit of alcohol on the really stubborn goop (ok, so I actually use a nylon bore-brush from a gun cleaning kit, somewhat easier to find in my town).

 

[spartan]

I keep meaning to order the pipe cleaners from SmokingPipes that come with a shank brush, but I always manage to forget... /sigh