Improving the draw on a meer?

[peterj]

I bought a nice CAO meer brand new and the draw is extremely tight. I can barely insert a cleaner through the mouthpiece. I've read about services to loosen the draw. Does anyone have any recommendations? It's a real beauty and I would hate to turn it into a paperweight. Thanks in advance

 

[disinformatique]

Send it to a pipe restorer to tackle the issue.

 

[meerqueen]

Please look for briar type teflon tenon connection with acrylic stem on meerschaum pipes
They have more width draw

 

[peteguy]

You can send it to a repair shop like Walker and they will replace the tenon with the push/pull type that meerqueen is talking about. You can also try and find a pipe cleaner that is super thin, I have seen them, but I cannot recall the name brand.

 

[xrundog]

It's pretty easy to figure out what the problem is. the area that is difficult to ass a cleaner is the problem. Reads to me like the stem airway is tight. Get one of these tools: http://www.amazon.com/Kemper-Tools-Clay-Pottery-Sculpture/dp/B00N319DHE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439568075&sr=8-2&keywords=Kemper+saw and open up the airway. Work it from both ends of the stem. It's fast and works really well. It's also very sharp so be careful around the button.
Or send it to a pipe guy and have the airway detailed.

 

[aldecaker]

Vermont Freehand sells a nifty tool for doing the slot work at the button end. "Slot Funneling Tool" for $4.00. Listed under "miscellaneous".

 

[londonmake]

I've used that tool---it's great for all stem draw problems, and, cleaning between teeth [not]