Pipe Reamer

[rayje589]

Can anyone suggest a pipe reamer? I recently bought 3 pipes from a antique store (thread to come later) and need some recommendations. Also some general tips for cleaning up well smoked pipes.

 

[teufelhund]

I have a Senior Reamer also, but I've never had to use it on anything other than restorations. Just be careful whatever reamer you use, you can damage the pipe.

 

[rayje589]

Thanks for the recommendations. Any tips for actually cleaning the bowl and stem?

 

[rcstan]

Pipnet is sturdier than Castleford, at least the handle, but either would do fine for the casual user. The Senior is a fine tool but they are made by different Chinese shops so the quality varies, inspect before buying if possible. It also takes a bit more patience and a steadier hand to use than the others.
As for the bowl and stem, clean the airways with alcohol and bristle pipe cleaners. Remove the stem oxidation with either Oxyclean bath, Magic Eraser scrub, or a buffer. Clean the outside of the bowl with a rag and perhaps a bit of water. Each pipe is different, but go easy on the alcohol in the bowl.

 

[rayje589]

I'm going to get the Castleford from 4noggins.

That's what I'm leaning towards.
As another note: Does anyone recommend stem oil?

 

[petes03]

I have a Senior Reamer that works well. Reaming can be a stubborn affair, so take your time and go slow and easy. Huh, that almost sounded a little kinky, lol!

 

[irishflake]

I swear by the Savinelli fitsall. I have a Senior reamer, a Castleford and a Butner. But if I was to own only one, it would be the Savinelli.

You can really screw up a pipe with the others, but the fits-all is pipe friendly.

 

[snagstangl]

One thing about the cleaning the stem with alcohol. Do it before you try to deoxidize the stem, or if you do it after put some obsidian oil on it before hand and leave it there while you clean. Otherwise getting alcohol on the stem may cause it to discolor and you have to start over again.

 

[woodsroad]

I have the Senior Reamer (bought used, not abused and cheap on eBay) and the Castleford set. I use both on restorations, and the Castleford occasionally on pipes that I smoke. In fact I just used the Senior on a pipe that I bought that had so much buildup that you couldn't fill it. My pinky just about fit in the bowl, but not all the way to the bottom. The Senior was good for this since I could keep adjusting the cutting blades out a little bit, taking off just a thin layer at a time. I still had to go easy, not much pressure, and I kept checking my work to be sure that I hadn't hit wood.

The Casleford is good for routine maintenance. it's much smaller than the Senior (Or Kleen-Reem, which is very similar)and a couple of light twists gets the baccy bits out without stripping out too much cake.

 

[bullbriar]

I have the Castleford, and have had great luck with it. Just got done reaming 7 pipes which I bought in a lot off EBay. They had A LOT of cake, and the Castleford cut right through it.

 

[kcghost]

The most important thing is to never cut into the wood.

 

[tpollock]

I have the Castleford and love it. Just be easy and don't get into the wood cause the tool is pretty sharp!

 

[msandoval858]

Another Senior Reamer owner here. Nice quality tool.
Fortunately I've only used it twice

 

[wolf666]

Ive had a senior reamer for a few years and wouldn't use anything else just be carefull when using

 

[vlodko]

I am voting for the Castleford! That's after many mistakes and scratched chambers, so sorry....

 

[pruss]

I am voting for the Castleford! That's after many mistakes and scratched chambers, so sorry....

In the absence of a Pipnet Reamer, I agree entirely. I have used a Castleford set for all my resto work, and so long as one starts with the small bit and works carefully, gradually, through the cake and up to larger sizes catastrophe can be avoided. I usually get to less than a dimes width of cake and then either stop, or tackle the remaining cake with sandpaper on a piece of dowel.
The only reason I'd suggest a Pipnet Reamer set, is that those I've seen have a better/more-durable handle to bit connection.
-- Pat

 

[vlodko]

Pruss,
from my understanding both Pipnet and Castleford are the same (at least they look similar). Am I wrong?

 

[pruss]

@Roth - That's why I said, "In the absence of a Pipnet Reamer, I agree entirely." :wink:
@Vlodko, as far as I can tell, the Pipnet Reamer is of a sturdier material which, over time and use, will not wear down like the Castleford reamer does. The problem area for the Castleford reamer IMHO is that the base of the T handle wears down at the corners and effectively becomes stripped, meaning misalignment with the reamer heads/bits and slipping.
I use a Castleford because I did not have access to a Pipnet reamer when I was making my purchase. I prefer the Castleford to a Klean Ream or Senior Reamer, but will scour the web to find a Pipnet reamer for my next purchase.
Here is a great essay on some of the leading reamers. From Steve Laug's Reborn Pipes Blog: http://rebornpipes.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/my-choices-in-pipe-reamers-a-review-6/
I hope that helps.
-- Pat

 

[rayje589]

Thank you for all the recommendations. Ended up going for the Castlefor off of 4noggins as the Pipenet one was a little more than I wanted to spend.

 

[rebornbriar]

The Castleford should do you fine. I have used them on hundreds of pipes. Had to replace once as the bottom of the handle broke. If you are reaming many pipes for restoration, the one I would avoid is the Senior Reamer. Using it a lot at the one time will strip as much skin off your hand as it will cake from the bowl Blisters and callouses to prove it!