Loose Threaded Stem Issue

[Fiddlepiper]

Hoping for a bit of help/advice.

I recently acquired the pipe picture below. Quite pleased with it for the age etc but the stem is loose, as in dangerously may fall apart at any time loose.

it’s a threaded system and just doesn’t seem to grab. Not sure if there’s a bit of thread missing or what. I’ve put close ups to help diagnosis (apologies for my awful looking fingers ?)

I was wondering if anyone had any tips/ideas of how to go about repairing it?

 

[coming to_falling too]

?

 

[ashdigger]

You have two solutions that work great on my ancient pipes.
1. Plumbing tape (Teflon) carefully applied beefs up the threads. It’s also temperature safe.

2. A section of toothpick as a shim also helps secure the stem.

Hope that helps

 

[pepesdad1]

I think Ash's suggestion (1) is as close to perfect as you are gonna get.

 

[sablebrush52]

You have two solutions that work great on my ancient pipes.
1. Plumbing tape (Teflon) carefully applied beefs up the threads. It’s also temperature safe.

2. A section of toothpick as a shim also helps secure the stem.

Hope that helps

Never would have thought of plumber's tape. Sure, why not? Brilliant!
The shim would apply pressure unevenly and with amber that can lead to problems.

The other possibility is that this is a vulcanite tenon that's become stuck in the mortise. By applying a little bit of alcohol, a few drops at a time, over a period of 30 minutes to an hour, The hardened crud holding the tenon in place will soften up enough to allow you to gently remove it. Then you glue the tenon back onto it's stem.

By 1909 bone tenon joinery was well on its way out and friction tenons were common. Typically, a vulcanite tenon would be attached to an amber stem as vulcanite is tougher and more flexible than amber, which is unsuitable material for a tenon.

The pictures look to me like a stuck tenon.

 

[ofafeather]

Plumbing tape (Teflon) carefully applied beefs up the threads. It’s also temperature safe.

This was going to be my suggestion. I’ve used this for a million different applications and try to always have some on hand.

 

[paulfg]

I may be wrong but are you sure it is a screw tenon and not a push tenon that screws into the stem and has unscrewed out.
It seems unusual for the screw section to be on the bowl not the mouthpiece.
I have had meerschaum pipes with push fit tenons that fix into the mouthpiece by screwing in.

edit Jesse replied whilst I was posting

 

[Fiddlepiper]

Never would have thought of plumber's tape. Sure, why not? Brilliant!
The shim would apply pressure unevenly and with amber that can lead to problems.

The other possibility is that this is a vulcanite tenon that's become stuck in the mortise. By applying a little bit of alcohol, a few drops at a time, over a period of 30 minutes to an hour, The hardened crud holding the tenon in place will soften up enough to allow you to gently remove it. Then you glue the tenon back onto it's stem.

By 1909 bone tenon joinery was well on its way out and friction tenons were common. Typically, a vulcanite tenon would be attached to an amber stem as vulcanite is tougher and more flexible than amber, which is unsuitable material for a tenon.

The pictures look to me like a stuck tenon.

I may be wrong but are you sure it is a screw tenon and not a push tenon that screws into the stem and has unscrewed out.
It seems unusual for the screw section to be on the bowl not the mouthpiece.
I have had meerschaum pipes with push fit tenons that fix into the mouthpiece by screwing in.

edit Jesse replied whilst I was posting

Now you mention it, the part with the screw attached looks like it’s jammed in a position that the screw will never go into the stem properly.

I’ll give your solutions a try and see if I can get it unstuck. Obviously being careful not to break anything.

Will report back. Thanks guys.

 

[BROBS]

Never would have thought of plumber's tape. Sure, why not? Brilliant!
The shim would apply pressure unevenly and with amber that can lead to problems.

The other possibility is that this is a vulcanite tenon that's become stuck in the mortise. By applying a little bit of alcohol, a few drops at a time, over a period of 30 minutes to an hour, The hardened crud holding the tenon in place will soften up enough to allow you to gently remove it. Then you glue the tenon back onto it's stem.

By 1909 bone tenon joinery was well on its way out and friction tenons were common. Typically, a vulcanite tenon would be attached to an amber stem as vulcanite is tougher and more flexible than amber, which is unsuitable material for a tenon.

The pictures look to me like a stuck tenon.

I agree. It shouldn’t unscrew there but stay in the stem and come out of the stummel.

 

[sablebrush52]

Now you mention it, the part with the screw attached looks like it’s jammed in a position that the screw will never go into the stem properly.

I’ll give your solutions a try and see if I can get it unstuck. Obviously being careful not to break anything.

Will report back. Thanks guys.

Trapped tenons are not uncommon with old pipes. In those cases where the drop of glue, originally used to help keep the tenon attached to the stem, has failed, the stem will unscrew from the trapped tenon.
I learned the alcohol trick from RonnieB and it works. Sometimes it takes a bit longer, but eventually the crud does soften up enough to carefully rotate out the tenon. Since the threading is already forming a loose fit between the tenon and the stem, it may be better to use a pliers, with a felt buffer, to gently rotate out the tenon.

Good luck!

 

[Fiddlepiper]

It’s out! No pliers needed. Just some alcohol and a twist.

Now what glue should I use to reattach it to the stem?

sorry for all the newbie questions.

 

[Fiddlepiper]

Or does it not need glued? It’s still not the best fit onto the stem, wobbles and doesn’t hold. I suppose that’s why it got stuck in the first place.

thank goodness for this forum! I’d be lost forever in these matters otherwise.

 

[ofafeather]

Maybe it’s not original. Possibly start with the plumbers Teflon tape. It will work it’s way into the threads and help tighten it up. It only sticks to itself and you can stretch it thin as needed.

 

[jhowell]

I have had luck using acrylic fingernail polish in thin coats to build up the threads on a bone tenon.

 

[Fiddlepiper]

Maybe it’s not original. Possibly start with the plumbers Teflon tape. It will work it’s way into the threads and help tighten it up. It only sticks to itself and you can stretch it thin as needed.

Brilliant. Thanks. It’s more I think the thread has been worn/over tightened. Fits well at the shank just wobbly in the stem. I’ll try the plumbers tape. Seems like a good plan.

I have had luck using acrylic fingernail polish in thin coats to build up the threads on a bone tenon.

Thanks for this. Having options is always good.

 

[sablebrush52]

Maybe it’s not original. Possibly start with the plumbers Teflon tape. It will work it’s way into the threads and help tighten it up. It only sticks to itself and you can stretch it thin as needed.

Maybe @georged can offer you some expert suggestions.

 

[OzPiper]

Maybe @georged can offer you some expert suggestions.

Haven't seen @georged on the Forums for some time. Does he still post ?

 

[sablebrush52]

Haven't seen @georged on the Forums for some time. Does he still post ?

On occasion. I'm hoping he will spot the prompt and look at the thread. If he doesn't, it wouldn't be a bad idea to PM him.

 

[Fiddlepiper]

Thanks everyone for suggestions. The Teflon tape seems to be doing the job admirably. A few wraps round each thread and it’s holding firm. Going to fill it up and take it for a whirl. ?

 

[Fiddlepiper]

Well it smokes like a charm. No issues at all. What a wee beauty.

It may have to be a dedicated heavy Lakeland pipe as there is certainly a ghost present. But that suits me fine. Seems suitable for a pipe from where it was made as well.