Pipe stem blocked

[shane]

The stem of my pipe is completely blocked and I can't seem to dislodge whatever it is that's down there. Any advice?

 

[pstlpkr]

Sounds like you might have a stinger in the stem.

The only time I have ever had a completely blocked stem was one that had a stinger in it.

If it does just remove the stinger and clean out the stem.

I recommend that you chunk the stinger, that is if it is a stinger that has blocked your pipe.

 

[cortezattic]

I would use a fairly stiff length of electrical wire to poke it out, from the button side downward toward the tenon. It's advisable to test an inconspicuous spot on the stem before using any solvents, but it may help to moisten the blockage using a pipe cleaner soaked in lemon juice if the stem is vulcanite or ebonite, or alcohol if it's perspex or acrylic.
The same advise would apply if you were referring to the shank, though I might be tempted to use an appropriately sized twist drill -- employed manually, of course.

 

[shane]

What's a stinger and how do I remove it? It's a churchwarden stem so its pretty long.

 

[shane]

It wasn't a stinger, I managed to dislodge what was inside: looks like a load of ash/burnt tobacco. Lucky I managed to get it out because it was stuck good and proper - hope that's a rarity.

 

[strongirish]

When all else fails, I will use an unfolded paperclip to get at blockages. Also chech tools have the striaght poker on them that will do the job.

 

[mlaug]

I once purchased a nice Jobey Dansk on eBay. The seller got it from an estate and admitted they knew nothing about pipes, but disclosed that the "handle" was stuck in the wood.
The "handle" was lucite and the pipe was filthy beyond belief. I was much more confident in those days and figured I could clean up just about anything and bring it back.
When it arrived, it couldn't pass a pipe cleaner through the stem.
I tried the freezer trick.
Didn't work.
I tried gently heating the shank with a hair dryer.
Nope.
Finally, I just started twisting the stem and it broke off...right where someone had used super glue to hold it in place.
:-(

 

[hauntedmyst]

In the future, this is an easy fix. Take the stem off the pipe and fill the tenon with a little bit of silicone glue. Now take the tenon and stick ia football filling needle into to and attach it to your compressor. Wait for the shoegoo to dry and then turn on the compressor full power. Hold on the the stem and compressor hose. Eventually whatever is stuck in there will come shooting out of the mouthpiece and you can peel off the silicone glue. CAUTION: Doing this has the potential to turn your stem into an airbourne missle. Wear goggles and keep the stem pointed away from your face and towards a cat. Cats love it when you pull pranks on them.

 

[lordnoble]

LMAO @ hauntedmyst! I damn near spit coffee all over my computer! Gotta remember to not drink beverages while reading the forum threads..
-Jason

 

[krgulick]

That is hilarious hauntedmyst. No wonder there are no cats in the area.

 

[chuckw]

Craft inserted in the bit wire works too.

 

[cortezattic]

LMAO. Haunted, you're totally outrageous!