My first forays in to making a tamper.

[pipevilleworld]

I've been using 5/8" wooden dowels cut to 3 inch and 4 inch lengths so far so... LOL. Nothing too interesting yet.

 

[buckeye]

nice tamper matt

 

[ichbinmuede]

Thanks much Dave. If only I had access as easy as yours to horn. It seems like a great material to work with.

 

[pstlpkr]

It may be Ichbin... but it'll smells like burned hair when you work with it.

 

[winton]

I started with a roofing nail, then progressed to a 3" nail. Then I bought a pipe tool. Eventually I will think of a tamper when I am near the lathe.
I will try the UncleArthur style. Like any magic, it is easy once you know the secret. But the execution can take lots of practice.
Winton

 

[unclearthur]

And close grained wood!

 

[ichbinmuede]

And close grained wood!

Definitely the primary concern! Can't have such a delicate turning without some stable wood.

 

[buckeye]

matt get out in the bush. there are antlers all over Canada. deer shed them every late winter. i found several bear hunting in Saskatchewan.

 

[hobie1dog]

I doubt if I ever make a tamper as long as I have the coveted Ebony tamper Lawrence made me. :worship:

 

[pstlpkr]

I'm glad you like it. :clap:

 

[greggors]

All great tampers, wouldn't mind learning how to make jcsnaps' tamper tho =)

 

[redfox]

Bubba, what did you use as the metal part of the tamper? is it just a nail stuck in at the end of the stem? Great idea for a busted up pipe! Nice work fellas

 

[bubbadreier]

I used a pipe nail!

 

[jcsnaps]

Thanks Greggors, you need two items. A used .223 or 5.56 case and a wife who is willing to donate her brass sewing stiletto. The sewing stiletto made the perfect pick and fit the case with just the slightest squeeze. I had to trim the pick a little shorter and formed the "bullet" head with a grinder, some filing, and fine sandpaper. The shell was free from picking up brass at my range, the pick was a little more costly to replace, about $15, so I really haven't ventured into making many more.

 

[unclearthur]

brass rod , an ice pick, some solder and the equipment to grind things down. Should replace the high priced sewing goodie. Far cheaper than 15 bucks.

 

[ejames]

I too use brass rod for the picks in my tampers.Easy to obtain (got mine on ebay) and easy to work with even if you don't have a grinder or soldering equipment.

 

[jasongone]

i have been wanting to make some tampers out of found items, just haven't come across anything that made me think tamper. thanks for the motivation guys.

 

[unclearthur]

I will have to dig out the hand forged one I made. It's here some place.

 

[bubbadreier]

I actually stole Ejames's design for the pipe stem tamper! :D

 

[pauls]

Nice tampers guys, I have been wanting to make some as well, hummm...