Largest Restore Project Yet - Ben Wade

[durham270]

As you can see from the images this Ben Wade Golden Walnut - Preben Holm will no doubt be my biggest project in restoring. It looks as if the previous owner didn't provide the best of care. If you have any ideas or want to share your knowledge of restoring I sure can use your tips and techniques and would be greatful! It will be awhile before I can start this project. I'll be updating with images as I progress in this restoration. I'll probably have questions along the way!

 

[petes03]

I thought, at first, that it didn't look to bad, and then I saw the chamber/rim! Wow, oh my God! What the hell happened to that thing?! The rest of it ain't that bad, just looks like the guy never washed his grimy hands before he smoked it, and the stem is highly oxidized. I've seen the kind of work you do Durham, I know you can handle it! Good luck!

 

[ejames]

If it were mine it would get a good sanding( being very careful around the stampings) and re-stain and a new stem. Tim West has some nice black acrylic Ben Wade style stems,but the tenon size may not be the same.The ones I bought have a tapered tenon with the largest diameter of just under 5/16". I wouldn't take the cake out completely.just even it out best you can and rebuild it.

 

[shaintiques]

What is under the softy bit? I have found broken stems under those things before. Like Ed said though Acrylic would be nice but if you want to stay original it should clean up nice. it is just going to take some elbow grease.

 

[fnord]

Durham:
I've got three Danish Ben Wade burners I love and I'm so glad to see somebody else pull one out of the cast off pile. You've got a great eye and ninja restoration skills, so once you clean this beauty up I think it might be a favorite for you.
God bless him, life didn't end well for Preben Holm but I have enough respect for his work that, if the stem isn't chewed to hell and gone beneath the Softie, I'd micromesh the living daylights out of it and leave it as is.
I'm traditional, Durham. I like original, but that's me. I'm just grateful you're going to wipe off that motor oil, sweat, grit and caked on food grease to bring this beauty back to life.
Good luck, friend.
Fnord

 

[rmason]

Good luck Durham it looks good with an exception of the bow, but once again good luck and keep us posted on the restore.

~Ron

 

[papipeguy]

It looks as if the prior owner used a blow torch to light it and/or liked smoking in gale force winds. Anyway, I'm with fnord about keeping it as original as possible. We're all very interested to see the results of this project. Good luck.

 

[durham270]

what the hell do you DO with all those pipes you're buying?

Roth, I do the whole restoration on all the pipes I obtain then decide rather to keep or resell. Nothing really in particular warrants if I keep or let go. As an example, say I have too many billiards, a few most leave. It's funny because the Oom Paul is my favorite shape and I only have one. I probably keep around 20% of the ones I restore. Plus, restoring is a nice hobby. I enjoy working on old pipes tremendously. I keep for my personal collection no more than 42 at any given time. I can't answer why that number, it's just a number stuck in my head.
Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement and ideas you all have provided! It's going to help a lot.

 

[pruss]

no more than 42 at any given time. I can't answer why that number,

That's 'cause it's the, "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything." :D
...At least according to the super-computer Deep Thought, or Douglas Adams.
-- Pat

 

[durham270]

Update:
I had some time this morning before work and here is what I accomplished. The grit and grim came off easily enough with a wet wash cloth and a little diluted Murphy's oil soap. Totally nasty pipe! Following that I used 'Gator Power 1200 Scuffing/Polishing paper' to remove any remaining dirt and burnt spots around the rim. Here are the results of the cleaning.
Not so pretty!

 

[pipeherman]

I wish you luck on this project. At times it may be a challenge, I think this one may be one hell of a challenge. When its restored you will know that all the moments of near mental breakdown were not in vain. ::

 

[durham270]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I figured since I started it I just might as well finish it! I think I still need to do some more work around that bowl rim and remove a little more cake but not much more. This will do it for now. Later, the final test will be in the smoking!!

 

[instymp]

Beautiful job! Looks like the previous owner loved & smoked the heck out of it.

 

[bentmike]

Awesome! I could see in the original pictures that it was a nice piece of briar. You have done a great job it looks fantastic.