Now in my 5th month of pipe making

[clangillespie]

I haven't posted in a while, I have been busy making sawdust, I just wanted to share my latest pipe, it is an 11" Briar Churchwarden with a forward canted bowl.

 

[mso489]

clang', that's a beauty. The cant gives the whole pipe an active look, like it's in motion. Great work. I'll look forward to seeing more. How did you do the shamrock? It looks stamped or laser-carved. If by hand, outstanding job.

 

[clickklick]

What tools are you using?
Make sure to shape the shank with the stem installed so the junction looks smooth.

 

[clangillespie]

I recently aquired a shaping disc from Tim West, I also have a small drill press, the rest is dremel and files, I hope to get a belt sander soon, I have seen a lot of guys using a 1" belt sander to match the shank and stem.

 

[clangillespie]

Yes I have two stamps one that says "Irish Briar" the other is the shamrock, I had a guy in New York that Tim West told me about make them for me, Quick turn around, he does Nomenclature Stamps for pipe makers all over the world

 

[lohengrin]

Really nice work! I want to ask you the numbers of paper you use to pull out the grain from the briar and after which of these numbers you start staining.

 

[clangillespie]

I shape with a sanding disk mostly, my final on shaping is 320 grit, the 400 by hand then stain, then 600 to remove the black base stain, it helps bring out the grain, then 800 grit by hand. depending on the briar red/ gray/ white waxes that have grit to help polish, then carnauba.

 

[shaintiques]

A 1 inch belt sander is a tool I use a lot on pipes. You can buy some 400 grit belts for it and shape without taking too much off at one time. Wait till you start making your own stems that is where the real fun begins.

 

[ejames]

Nice looking CW !

 

[prsop2k]

I have to agree on the shaping of your own stems comment that shaintiques mentioned... I'm working on my first hand made stem from a block of acrylic I bought online. It's a tedious task but it's so fun knowing you made it all yourself!
I love the color on that briar smokey but cool at the same time. Good job!

 

[newbroom]

Since the name Gillespie is part of my own heritage, I am always interested to see your work as you progress, or not, in the holy endeavor of pipe crafting.

I am learning from you vicariously, as I am from all the other artisans who post here regularly, with the idea that my own attempts and will be forthcoming.

So much of what I derive from pipes and tobacco is therapeutic and contemplative and I know that once I start to make my own sawdust, this will only be increased and enhanced, hopefully even meditative.

Great stuff! Thank you for sharing.

mike

 

[clangillespie]

This is my first Handmade stem, I was inspired by shaintiques, it's small and simple but it was all that was needed on this pipe. I cut this from a "Cumberland rod bought from Steve at VFH.

 

[clangillespie]

Here is Stack/ Poker I call the "Campbell" a follow up to my "Wallace" the one with the hand cut Cumberland, I didn't mention that the pipe above was made with 50 year old Grecian, This pipe was made of Italian Briar with a factory Vulcanite stem.

 

[clangillespie]

This is my "Steven the Mad Irishman" cut from Italian Briar with an Acrylic stem.

This was made just Prior to my "William Wallace"

 

[clangillespie]

I really appreciate everyone's comments, advice and experiences and I feel this group is helping me greatly to make better pipes. One day I hope to get good doing what I love. I am not only learning to shape but I like to try different staining techniques, like on the "Mad Irishman, you'll notice I left the area near the top of the bowl with a little extra black stain to try and create a design on the bowl by not quite sanding my base stain as much as the rest of the pipe.

 

[clangillespie]

I also have done a lot of research and I am even more picky about the way my pipes smoke, open airways and I have found by drilling dead center bottom of the bowl allows you to smoke the whole bowl all the way down to ash.

 

[mso489]

Nice progression of pipes. You may have to wade into a pipe show as an exhibitor one of these times. The carvers on Forums have some significant talent.

 

[clangillespie]

Thanks mso489, they probably wouldn't let me in, lol.

 

[perlasca]

Impressive pipes CG. I particularly like the canted churchwarden's color and shape.

That being combined with the size and stem of the 'Cumberland rod bought from Steve at VFH' pipe, would be perfect in my opinion.

 

[lohengrin]

I appreciate your craftmanship development and I like your new pipes. Since you started to shape mouthpieces, I think your Mad Irishman deserves "his own" stem.