Meerschaum Needs a Stem

[kyriefurro]

My $16 bargain basement meerschaum pipe that I bought on Ebay last week came in today. Aside from needing a good cleaning - there a fair amount of cake inside - it turns out the stem is not the original and does not actually fit the pipe. The thread area is too small.
In fairness to the seller I have to say that the stem problem was disclosed in the auction, although the wording was a bit convoluted and I didn't quite get what he was saying. I'll also add that this is a $16 pipe - I wasn't expecting miracles in any way. So I'm not at all upset about it.
The question is, can anyone out there tell me where I might acquire a new stem of the correct size?

 

[acme]

If it is the normal white plastic (nylon?) threaded into the shank mortise and threaded into the stem tenon, then you may be in luck. There are two standard sizes for those parts. It shouldn't be that tough to get the larger if yours is the small one.

It may or may not solve your problem - tough to really say without seeing it. If it does not solve the problem, then at minimum you need a new stem and at worst will have to get some kind of custom threading job.

anthony

 

[cortezattic]

So, who does custom threading, or conversions?

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks Roth! I've got a meer (a keepsake) with what looks like a threaded nylon bushing (nipple?) that screws into the meer's shank.

The stem has a tenon that looks like teflon, and pushes into the nylon piece in the shank. The whole thing goes together,

but the stem swivels quite freely -- to my great annoyance. I was wondering if it could be converted to the same system that

briars use.

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks Roth. :wink:

 

[kyriefurro]

Thanks for the info all. From the sound of it, I'm missing a piece and I'm looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of $75 - $100 to get this thing into smokable condition. Not sure I want to pay that much for this pipe :P. Anyhow, here's the pic I should have posted last night:

 

[acme]

The part of the picture that is important is the end of the godet - what you are calling the stem. There is little detail in the image when blown up. Are there threads on it? Or Is it smooth?
If there are not, then it was likely fastend to the meerschaum with a bonding agent. The solution is to clean off as much of the stuff from the end of the godet as possible, and then glue it back in. It may be a sloppy fit, and it might be worth making some kind of a spacer by wrapping epoxy impregnated string or thread around the godet until it is the correct diameter. Kind of a gruesome method.
If there are threads on the end of the godet, then the inside of the meerschaum shank is likely stripped. It is possible to re-cut those threads, but it is a ticklish business. Then you need a new godet made to match the new thread and the old stem.

It is possible to use the same glueing method as if there were no threads at all. Know that any epoxy that touches the meerschaum will inhibit coloring the meerschaum.
Check for cracks in the meerschaum shank. You should be able to see them by looking at the exposed end.
anthony

 

[kyriefurro]

Hi, Anthony. Thanks for the response. Some more info for you:
The threads on the shank are not stripped, as far as I can tell with the naked eye. Likewise, the threads on the stem do not appear to be stripped either. Rather, the threaded portion of the stem is simply too small to engage the threads on the shank - hence, my statement that the stem is not the original.
From what you and others are saying, it seems there should be a third piece - what you're calling the godet, that engages the stem, allowing it to screw into the shank? If so, it's missing.

 

[acme]

You have two distinct objects in the image you posted.

The piece of meerschaum and the thing that you call a stem. The thing that you call the stem is actually made up of two parts (at least), the stem and the godet. It looks like the stem and godet are connected by a mortise and tenon joint, just like a regular pipe, and you can take them apart, just like a regular pipe. ...and I suggest you take them apart. You can put the stem aside and only concern yourself with the godet.
The godet may be made of as many as three parts. If it is, you should be able to distinguish the fact by comparing the shiny part of the godet and the narly-looking threaded portion. If they are made of different materials, the difference will NOT be subtle.
If the godet is made of only a single part, you can get by with having someone make you a new godet. It will have to be threaded to fit the meerschaum shank.
If the godet is made up of more than one piece, you may be able to pull the threaded portion loose from the godet. As I said in my first post, there are two sizes of (some kind of) plastic, threaded, mortise and tenon pieces. It is possible that you can simply purchase the larger size and thread them directly into the shank of the meerschaum and the end of the godet. I really don't know how much they would cost you, but 5 or 10 bucks should do it.
The third possibility is what you have already said, that somebody put the previously unassociated parts together to sell. If that is the case, one of the two sizes of (some kind of) plastic, threaded, mortise and tenon sets will most likely fit. You will have to have a stem made with a thread to fit the (some kind of) plastic, threaded, tenon piece. That is probably a standard, modern meerschaum repair and someone who makes standard, modern meerschaum repairs can do it without difficulties.
anthony

 

[trailspike48]

I'm missing a piece and I'm looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of $75 - $100

Norwood Repair Service shortend a meershaum shank and installed the necessary parts and a new stem for far less on a pipe I sent to him. If you contact him, he will give you a fair price over the phone and the repair service is fast and expertly done. Tenn. tax will be added to the end price.