Loose Stem

[flyboy82]

I have a few pipes with loose stems. the loosest ones have a metal tenon (one of my Grabow's) , and the second loosest is my meerschaum. As far as I can tell the meer's stem is acrylic. The other ones are a standard stem. (one of which has a metal stinger/filter). How do I make them fit again without sending them off or spending money on tools to fix it?

 

[pagan]

For briar try inserting a cotton wet swab in the tenon, get the wood good and wet and reinsert the stem, let sit till dry, don't know about the meer

 

[jeepnewbie]

For those it's harder to expand the tenon so use a bit of beeswax or clear nail polish. I would try what pagan said first on the briars.
The Meer you have to be really careful, if you do try the nail polish ensure that it is completely dry so it doesn't seize up, I would try the beeswax on it.

 

[dottiewarden]

@flyboy82
Fixing Loose Stems
Loose Pipe Stem?
Help with a loose stem
Loose Stem
Best way to fix a loose fitting stem?

 

[flyboy82]

Should I try beeswax on the metal tenon too?

 

[dottiewarden]

Smoking your pipes is often all that is needed, but you should click on the links (above) to read 5 different threads on this same topic.

 

[shawnofthedead]

For briar try inserting a cotton wet swab in the tenon, get the wood good and wet and reinsert the stem, let sit till dry, don't know about the meer

I've heard of this method too, though in that version it is recommended to allow the shank to dry completely before reinserting the stem.

 

[literaryworkshop]

I've had some success with coating the mortise with a bit of superglue. I squeeze in just a drop and use a toothpick to spread it around quickly, being careful to get it nowhere near the draft hole. Usually one coat of the gel superglue gets the tenon nice and tight again. Just be sure it's dry before reinserting the stem.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've had a couple of newer Dr. Grabow metal tenons actually chew up the mortise. That slot in the tenon is like a blade!