My Attempt to Carve a Pipe by Hand

[adui]

So far to date all I have are rasps and files to carve with, so keep that in mind. Im going to put pics as I make progress this post will have the block as it looked in the amazon add I bought it from.


EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title - Bob

 

[cshubhra]

Keep us posted!

 

[dcon]

Enjoy! I have found this very rewarding, with the simplest of tools. I wish I had more time to do the same.
We definitely need pics as you go.

 

[adui]

Here is the block after working on it with rasps I bought at harbor freight.



Looks better in the picture. I nicked the shank a couple times even with it covered with electrical tape. I didn't like how small it was anyhow so I'm working on ideas to splice a stem over it. The catch it the silly stem it came with is as narrow as the shank, so I'll have to carve that down to fit anyhow. At leasts the damage I did will be fixed

 

[adui]

Wow! you guys were on it before I could ass the post with my progress to date LOL

 

[adui]

So, I havent posted over here in a few days. I have the project complete and I must say I am quite pleased. I made some rookie mistakes to be sure, but I have a pretty nice looking pipe as a finished product. Ill post just a few pics of the progress and completion.


Almost shaped



Shaped, and shank built up (cut it too thin and boogered it)



Sanding nearly done, this was 320 grit (I actually went to 2000)



Left side finished product. This side has the best grain.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Impressive work for your first try and primitive tools.

 

[adui]

Oh I forgot to add, I did break down and buy the sanding and polishing bits for my dremel. I used the drum sanding to shape, and the wool rounds to polish. I also bought a cheap palm sander and strapped it to the shelf on my bench, instant power sanding that is gentle enough for finish work.

 

[adui]

Impressive work for your first try and primitive tools.

Thank you sir! I outdid myself I think. I hoped it would be at least this nice but truly expected a frankenpipe.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Great job! I'm not a shape expert here, would that be considered an apple?

 

[adui]

Well TBH I don't know the shape either. I'd call it an apple, or my name for it when my wife said "I like that don't change it" a handball. She gave me that statement when I discussed taking the walls down a bit and giving it an egg shape closer to a more traditional pipe shape.

 

[derhammer]

Not bad at all. Nicely done!

 

[alaskanpiper]

Not bad! Working on my first attempt now. No power tools. It’s.......ugly.

 

[kurtbob]

I think it looks pretty good considering what you had to work with!

 

[danimalia]

You didn't "attempt" to carve a pipe. You carved a dang pipe! Well done. Any tips for other first-timers?

 

[adui]

You didn't "attempt" to carve a pipe. You carved a dang pipe! Well done. Any tips for other first-timers?

Go slow, don't be afraid to screw up because you will, and ask lots of questions in places like this. Take lots of breaks between steps to clear your mind and refocus.

Truthfully I think minimum tools is the rasps and files I used, a palm sander was nice but not totally required if you don't mind taking extra time sanding, and my Dremel was instrumental in me not screwing it up worse because my rasps and files are just too big to get the delicate work done.

Oh, and don't be afraid to experiment a little. The stain on that looks like any other pipe. I made it with food coloring and 91% rubbing alcohol. (Didn't want to wait till the 15th to order / buy some leather dye. Besides, this was my experimenting pipe carve.)

 

[diamondback]

Not bad at all for a first attempt! I’d have likely bought a few starter blocks and reluctantly shown off the last one. No doubt the first few would quietly find their way to the dump.

Hoosier captured it best I think: without a lathe, band saw, power sanders, and most importantly years of experience — extremely nice!