Peterson B10 - Difficulty reinserting stem after cleaning

[AreBee]

Let me first say, the pipe was not hot and was last smoked over 36 hours ago.

Each time I take the pipe apart for cleaning, the stem comes out normally and even reinserting it right after disassembly is not a problem; but after about 5-10 minutes of cleaning it's a struggle to reseat the stem flush to the shank and turn it so that it's oriented properly. I put it in the freezer for 2-3 minutes and was able to seat it flush and turn it it to the proper position.

Is this normal?

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Pencil graphite or beeswax will lubricate the tenon.

 

[dingdong]

Otherwise put it on the fridge/freezer side, the stem shrink more than the shank/briar and on it went.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I find myself using Carmex for this a lot.

 

[kcghost]

The freezer thing almost always works when you don't have pencil graphite or beeswax.

 

[hakchuma]

I also have used pencil graphite and found that works for briar. But bee wax I just use to try and plug up leaks on corn cob pipes?

 

[tfdickson]

What are you using to clean it? If it’s alcohol or any other liquid the briar will swell, better to leave the stem and stummel separate overnight. Next day it should fit just fine.

 

[sardonicus87]

What are you using to clean it? If it’s alcohol or any other liquid the briar will swell, better to leave the stem and stummel separate overnight. Next day it should fit just fine.

I was just about to say this.

Any liquid will be absorbed by the briar, and when a hole swells, it swells shut. Let it dry over night and it will shrink back to normal and the stem will insert normally.

Even if it feels dry to the touch, it's still not dry... the liquid absorbed by the wood needs time to evaporate. Overnight is plenty of time for that to happen.

 

[AreBee]

What are you using to clean it? If it’s alcohol or any other liquid the briar will swell, better to leave the stem and stummel separate overnight. Next day it should fit just fine.

I used 50% alcohol the first time this happened but thinking that may be the cause I did not use any liquid the last time I cleaned it. Same issue with and without the alcohol. I will let them sit apart next time. I do have beeswax and will lube up the stem as well.