Planning on building a pipe cabinet

[shillelagh3]

As the title indicates, I'm planning to build my own pipe cabinet since the prices for these things are just stupid expensive (even on e-bay, or maybe I'm just cheap), and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what the average stem diameter of the average pipe might be? An even better statistic would be the largest stem diameter you've seen/own/etc., so I can take that into account. I just like to be thorough.

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

If you have any pipe stands, you could use them for some measurements. I have a few, so if you'd like, I'll measure the slots and let you know.

 

[lyst36]

Most of what I seen have holes that are a good bit larger than the stems themselves.

 

[bigvan]

Also, don't forget to have good, wide "cups" for the bowls to sit in. And make sure those bowls are spaced widely apart.

 

[unclearthur]

All of my racks and stands are to closely spaced for my fat Peterson bowls.

 

[marmal4de]

All of my racks and stands are to closely spaced for my fat Peterson bowls.

You should send them to Dr. Bernstein!

 

[shillelagh3]

I think I'm just going to make the stem rests 1" wide just to be on the safe side. I have an old antique pipe stand with tobacco bowl that has the stem rests at 7/8" wide and it's not big enough for the thickest part of the stem, so better safe than sorry.

 

[jimmyg]

in my pipe cabinet the holes are 16mm if thats any use to you Shillelagh3

 

[babarajas]

I'm with bigvan and unclearthur... space em out a liitle more than the usual racks. I hate my pipes being all crowded and when I go to pull one I knock over a couple of them. I have big hands too so my sausage fingers are a lil clumbsy..hehehe

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Just throwing out an idea that popped into my head a few days ago when I was dreaming of making my own pipe cabinet. What about a box with a hole in the top to put a humidifier in? Would an addition like that be worth it to a pipe cabinet? I know cigars are kept in humidors, but would it help your pipe tobacco stay fresher and living in Las Vegas would it be better for the briar as well to be enclosed with a humidifier to keep it from drying out in this dry hot desert weather?

 

[nabottle]

Shillelagh3, the cabinet sounds like a really cool idea. Post some pictures. Other Irish guys like me would be very interested in seeing how it turns out. On another note, what kind of pipes are you into? I'm really new to this and the only interest I have right now is Peterson. Any favorite tobaccos?
Shannon

 

[marmal4de]

the only interest I have right now is Peterson.

Amen.

 

[shillelagh3]

I started out with the intention of smoking only Petersons, since I've always been strongly biased toward anything Irish. However, once I got over that, I've opened myself up to just about anything I can afford. I'm more into aesthetics and how well it smokes, and the two are sometimes mutually exclusive. My favorite pipe for aesthetic look and feel is a Nording Freehand, but it's been giving me trouble when I smoke it lately; air flow is a bit stifled. Anyway, I've got a nice Savinelli Zulu shape, which I really love for looks, feel, and smoking. I didn't think I'd care for it at first, but I like the balsam filters for a drier smoke. My next pipe purchase is most likely going to be a Stanwell (Shape #19). I'd also like to give Vauen (#3406), Bjarne, and Brigham a shot. We'll see how that goes. I've found that I gravitate toward Dublin shapes. The Zulu is similar to the Dublin. I also like bent stems over straights, but I wouldn't mind having one or two more straights for those rare times when I'm in that mood.