Overturned meerschaum screwed-in stem

[greatdane]

I have a Meerschaum pipe with what I believe is a meerschaum screw-in tenon inside a plastic stem. It has been overturned so it is misaligned.

It there a fix to this issue? I already tried heating the tenon (immersed in boiling hot water), reattach in correct position and let it cool. That did not work.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Pictures would help. There are no meerschaum tenons, there are bone tenons, and I suspect that’s what you have.

 

[xrundog]

Yep, gotta see it.

 

[Waning Embers]

You turned the stem counterclockwise to remove it didn't you?

 

[greatdane]

Here is a photo. It may be bone?

 

[Waning Embers]

Here is a photo. It may be bone?
View attachment 404780

Got a photo of the end of it? That certainly looks like a bone tenon.

 

[xrundog]

In any case, if the stem is overturned, you need to heat the tenon/stem end like before, and twist the tenon counterclockwise. The glue should stay soft for a bit so you can test fit and make adjustments. Then let it cool and the glue will set.
If it comes loose again it might be best to remove the tenon and use a small amount of teflon tape to firm up the fit. If it won’t come loose at all, try this:
Another cause of a sloppy tenon is when meerschaum threads in the shank wear. Clean the threads thoroughly, let dry and use a toothpick to swirl a drop of superglue on the threads. Let dry an hour or so and test fit. If it’s a little tight, twist the stem back and forth to cut the threads. Stop when you achieve good alignment.

 

[greatdane]

Got a photo of the end of it? That certainly looks like a bone tenon.

 

[Waning Embers]

View attachment 404788

Yeah, that's bone. Lots of information here.

correcting an over clocked bone tenon – rebornpipes

Posts about correcting an over clocked bone tenon written by rebornpipes

rebornpipes.com

 

[didimauw]

It's still crazy to me that some tenons were screwed right into the meerschaum shank.

 

[xrundog]

It's still crazy to me that some tenons were screwed right into the meerschaum shank.

Yeah. Looks like a Bakelite stem. 30s-40s maybe?

 

[xrundog]

Yeah, that's bone. Lots of information here.

correcting an over clocked bone tenon – rebornpipes

Posts about correcting an over clocked bone tenon written by rebornpipes

rebornpipes.com

He put glue on the tenon. I think it’s better in the shank where the wear actually is. I’m sure results are the same.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Ok, a couple of things. What does the other end of the tenon look like? Are you able to remove it from the stem? If so it may be a double thread pitch tenon. Try unscrewing the tenon from the stem. If it’s double pitch tenon, you just need to turn it in the stem a little to get it to clock back to the right position. There is likely no glue involved.

 

[xrundog]

Ok, a couple of things. What does the other end of the tenon look like? Are you able to remove it from the stem? If so it may be a double thread pitch tenon. Try unscrewing the tenon from the stem. If it’s double pitch tenon, you just need to turn it in the stem a little to get it to clock back to the right position. There is likely no glue involved.

You are right. What you describe is most often the case. But sometimes, whatever the reason, that tenon will not come loose.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

The triangle tang of a small file inserted into the draft hole of the tenon will usually provide enough bite to unscrew it if it’s cemented into place with tar. WDC actually made a tool do this about 100 years ago but they are hard to find. I’ve got a couple of them but usually still use a file tang. If that doesn’t work, you can drill it out and retap it for a different/larger thread. But the taps are pretty esoteric and near impossible to find. At that point you’re better off sending it to someone to put a screw in/push nylon tenon in.

 

[Searock Fan]

Sounds like an easy fix... You need to make a spacer that slips over the tenon so it won't screw in so far. I've used sticky tape for several. (the sticky side goes toward the stem).

 

[jhowell]

Hole re-enforcers for notebook paper from the office supply. They come in paper and Mylar - two different thicknesses, so you can mix and match then as shims to get the right thickness. They slip right over the tenon and do the job.

 

[jhowell]

Another cause of a sloppy tenon is when meerschaum threads in the shank wear. Clean the threads thoroughly, let dry and use a toothpick to swirl a drop of superglue on the threads. Let dry an hour or so and test fit. If it’s a little tight, twist the stem back and forth to cut the threads. Stop when you achieve good alignment.

That's exactly what I do with all my meers - I was fortunate to be able to pick up the correct taps on fleabay a few years back, so I flood the threads with CA and then re-tap them...

 

[greatdane]

I was not able to remove or even slightly unscrew tenon from stem, so I ended trying the "drop-of-superglue-on-tenon" trick.

It worked! Pipe is new old stock from the 1950s I think. Only identifyer was a "Made in Italy" tag.

 

[xrundog]

Excellent! Terrific looking pipe!