Making your own pipe

[typical98]

Has anyone here made there own pipe?

Im always looking for a hobby to do since I'm off work for medical reasons and I'm actually really considering trying this out. Worst comes to worse i will have made a pipe cleaner holder or something to throw for the dog at the park. But i am curious has anyone here tried it out?

 

[sasquatch]

Making pipes is fun. Depending on your skill and your tooling, you might choose to start with a pipe "kit" where you get a block that is already drilled out and has a stem fitted, and you really just have to shape and finish the thing. That's a pretty friendly place to start. If that doesn't drive you nuts, or if you have the technical capabilities (drill press, grinder, maybe a lathe) then you can pretty much start from a raw briar block, and stems are not that hard to find.
People will always buy pipes if you keep your prices reasonable. It may be that for the first few pipes you get basically what you paid for the raw materials. Even so, it's enough to make it a pretty cheap hobby if you keep it simple, and if you get better at it, you can make nicer pipes and put some money into better tools etc and make even nicer ones.
At any rate it's a lot of fun and you can't really lose.

 

[typical98]

i was looking at those pipe kits. I wouldn't sell them to make tons of money, just to give me enough cash to get the next kit type of deal. I enjoy messing around with wood and I've made tons of junk in the past, ei dog houses, bird houses, cabinets, beds, shelving that sort of stuff. I barely use tools. Sorry that came out wrong i mean, electric tools I'm more of a hammer and chisel type of guy. I made a floating bed oat of oak and by the time i was done with the screws i could barely move my hand haha.
But yea, those blocks seem pretty decent to start and learn about the hold that need to be drilled.

 

[uberam3rica]

Quite a few of us have made our own pipes. I haven't yet, my woodworking skills aren't at that level yet.

 

[typical98]

best way to learn is to simply dive right in. My old shop teacher handed use wood, showed us the tools and basically said "have at her". Once you get the blood cleaned off the wood your first project normally turns out decent lol (ran a wood file over the side of my hand when someone grabbed me in class)

 

[uberam3rica]

I have a full work shop available to me, its my dads. I carved up a few tampers from sticks as practice for the tamper trade. I posted some pictures of what I made in the tamper swap thread. They are at the bottom of the thread. Here is a link

 

[typical98]

just took a peak. they look good man. I havnt been fully through the site yet and didn't even realize that tamper tools are a huge thing. i just have a 2 dollar thing instead of the nail i was using at first lol.

 

[uberam3rica]

they look good man

Thanks.I made them with just some simple hand tools and a knife. I'm pretty happy with them since thats the first time I ever tried carving something

 

[typical98]

what did you use to make the tamper a stick?

 

[uberam3rica]

what did you use to make the tamper a stick?

I'm not sure I get what you mean. I just picked up a twig and started carving

 

[shawn622]

I just bought 4 blocks of 40 year old Corsican briar and am ready to do my first. I have hickory nuts casings for stain and my buddies drill press. I have watched several vids on youtube and have my buddy shantigues, who is a master pipe maker, to coach me. I'm buying stems today!!!

 

[typical98]

you should take some pics as you go. Ive watched a ton of videos also on youtube. I'm getting a the cheap set just to get the feel of it. Im alright with wood but this is still new.
When i get my kit in and the little tools that i need ill keep you guys up to date also