Loose Stem on a Corncob Pipe

[blindpiper777]

Forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong place. So, I recently got an MM corncob mpipe, specifically a Cobbit (I got the Elf version).

When I got it, I noticed the stem was rather loose; it took little to no effort to remove it from the pipe. Is it supposed to be that loose?

I've only smoked it once or twice, so I couldn't have damaged it.

I got it from PipesAndCigars.com, and I've heard horror stories about pipes breaking in transit. Should I send them an email and ask for a replacement?

 

[didimauw]

Pictures of the stem would help. But usually the stock stems get loose over time for me. If there is a part where the stem enters, that steps up to the mouth piece, sometimes I will sand that part down, so it will go in further. Being that it's a new pipe though, a replacement also wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[stvalentine]

Rubbing a bit of beeswax on the tenon helps if the stem isn´t too loose.

 

[lightmybriar]

There are two very simple fixes, but it depends on whether or not you'll be happy with them.
This happens on my cobs as well, and I don't believe it to be so much a stem problem as a shank problem. The thin wood shanks on these pipes are very temperamental and expand and contract with temperature and humidity. Simply smoking the pipe many times has tightened them back up for me. Then it will cool and shrink back down and be loose again until the next Smoke.
BUT, having said that, and easy fix is to hold the tenon above a lighter or match flame, rotating it until it is evenly warmed (about 10 seconds), and then pushing it firmly but not with hulk strength against a hard flat surface. It'll expand a bit and fit right again. Be careful not to push too hard or it'll get too wide and then you'll have the opposite problem on your hands.
An easier fix would be to just wrap some string or even a bit of paper towel around the tenon and push it in. That's not ideal, but it works quick and easy and on cobs, it doesn't bother me.
These are poor man fixes that I'm fine with, so I'm not promoting them per se, just sharing what I do in case you care to give it a try. Hope you get it sorted!

 

[Chasing Embers]

https://youtu.be/khWHIzdBbhw

 

[Chasing Embers]

Double post.

 

[blendtobac]

Phil Morgan from Missouri Meerschaum and I spoke about this. He says that sometimes the wood in the shank dries out, and that's the cause of the problem. Putting a little water on the tenon or swabbing the inside of the mortise with a dampened Q-Tip should correct the problem.
Russ

 

[pagan]

Putting a little water on the tenon or swabbing the inside of the mortise with a dampened Q-Tip should correct the problem.

+1. Had a similar problem with a cob last year and that is the advise I got from MM, works just fine

 

[colorduke]

Nail polish works great.

 

[mortonbriar]

I had a loose stem, and I just squeezed the metal collet/band closed a bit with pliers, that worked fine. I know not all the cobs have the metal band at the end of the shank though.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Let's remember that this is a vulcanite stem, so some of the normal cob stem advice may not apply. I wouldn't put nail polish on a cobbit stem, for example.

 

[jitterbugdude]

Why not use nail polish? I've never had a loose stem but curious why the " no nail polish" statement

 

[madox07]

That makes sense, the shank is made of soft essence wood, so watering it a tad will make it swollen just enough to refit the stem.

 

[newbroom]

The shire has a pre molded stem that has ribs on the side. Sand off the ribs...thus allowing the military taper to insert more completely.

I learned about these ribs the hard way, but MM took care of me!

 

[curl]

I put a little dab of nail polish on the bit.

After it dries, I try it again; I file it down if it's too tight.

 

[aldecaker]

Hey there, Pipesmokingtom! Good to see you again. How's the corn snake?
Usually just smoking a cob will moisten the shank back up for a better fit. Any of mine that are still loose after that, I just use a single wrap of Scotch tape around the tenon. It shims it out quite nicely.