Mortise and Tenon Issues

[shillelagh3]

I have a 2010 Peterson St. Patrick's Day bent-stem pipe that seems to be having some mortise or tenon issues. The stem is lucite, and a week ago I was going to smoke it for the first time in a while, but was unable to do so when the tenon wouldn't stay in the mortise. It was a loose fit. It's not really a problem right now, because, at the moment, the mortise is holding the tenon OK, but I'm wondering if this is going to be a problem in the future. If it is, what should I do to make the tenon fit more snugly in the mortise? Thanks in advance.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

Carefully heating the tenon with a lighter, then letting it cool down completely before re-inserting into the mortise should work. There are other ways, but this one is a bit more permanent.

 

[shillelagh3]

Thanks, bootleg. I'll try that. By the way, love your tagline.

 

[johnnyrebel]

Ive had alot of success with the beeswax method, which basically you just apply beeswax to the tenon and put the pipe back together and smoke. I had a stem that was considerably loose, this worked very well. Though i have yet to pull it apart and see how permanent the results are. I just pulled the pipe apart just now and when i put it back together it had a nice firm hold. The heating of the tenon is a good method, but im FAR too chicken to do it myself!!