PSA: Don’t Leave Your Pipes On Your Lap

[americaman]

I left my Jack Howell pipe on my lap last night, and then stood up, the pipe fell on the ground and the stem snapped.

I’m emailing Jack Howell to inquire about a replacement stem. Is there a way to get the snapped stem out of the mortise, or should I leave that for the professional?

 

[Jwebb90]

I would leave it and let Jack or another professional repair it.

 

[SBC]

I am so sorry. That's a gorgeous pipe, too.

We've all been there, in one way or another.

Certainly there are ways to extract that tenon, but why risk anything if Jack is going to work on it anyway?

I'd wait to hear what he says. Please do update us, whether he'll just make a new stem or what.

 

[MattRVA]

I’ve done that before with my cell phone! That sucks! I’d leave it for the maker

 

[alaskanpiper]

Yeah, I've done that before. Thankfully without any significant consequences. I'm sure Jack will fix it up for ya. Bummer! It's always so much worse when the only person to blame is yourself. Ugh.

 

[anotherbob]

Wow. I have only dropped a few pipes a few times. All I got were some scuffs and some minor chipping. But that moment you see it falling and can't grab it before it hits the ground just sucks.
I'd leave it as I am sure the pros can do it or at least give you the best advice if it's a simple fix.

 

[Briar Tuck]

I'd tap it, screw in a bolt, and pull it out.

 

[Grangerous]

I broke one in my pocket bending down to pet the dog. Horrible, muffled snap. Please, let that be one of my bones.

 

[Coreios]

Good tip, sorry you broke your pipe. Was a really nice pipe hope you can fix it.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

I'd tap it, screw in a bolt, and pull it out.

The Pipes Magazine construction crew: we screw, we nut, we bolt.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've never broken one but professional repair is the safest option if you've never done it yourself.

 

[kcghost]

Yeah, you got to go to a real pro on this one. Jack may not be willing to undertake it, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Briarville would be my first choice if Jack declines. They'll get it right as rain.

 

[bullet08]

Did exact same thing few years back. Just few scratches on the stem. I was sure the pipe would be damaged. Got lucky that time. Did it again few days later with a different pipe.

 

[Sir Yak]

I spend the winter smoking under a big blanket on the porch. I often spend the better part of a minute looking around my lap/legs to check for my lighter before I get up out of the porch swing. And still I’ll stand up and it will go clattering on to the porch. Sorry about your pipe but I bet someone with Jack’s reputation will help you get it fixed up.

 

[DotAndBang’sPipes]

I'd tap it, screw in a bolt, and pull it out.

Hey, does this screw-in thing work? I’d love to know for sure. I’ve got a no name favorite in the OP’s position as well. Would love to not have to send it off if possible! The JH pipe, on the other hand, that might be a profesh situation there.

 

[Akousticplyr]

That sucks.

For a second there based on the title I was worried this was going to be a “scorched scrotum“ thread ….so I guess that’s good?

 

[Briar Tuck]

Hey, does this screw-in thing work? I’d love to know for sure. I’ve got a no name favorite in the OP’s position as well. Would love to not have to send it off if possible! The JH pipe, on the other hand, that might be a profesh situation there.

I've never used it on a pipe but I have used that technique in similar mechanical situations and it works great. There is no reason it wouldn't work to remove a broken tenon. You just need to find an appropriate sized tap to cut the threads and a matching sized bolt or screw that's long enough to give you enough leverage to pull out the tenon once it's screwed in.

 

[craig61a]

I spend the winter smoking under a big blanket on the porch.

 

[mso489]

Yeah, laps and pants pockets are no place for pipes. Everyone has different habits, so you just have to identify your own vulnerable places for stashing a pipe and avoid those. Or an easier way to think about it is to have specific safe places to stash pipes and always use those.

Same way for not losing keys, wallets, glasses, etc. For keeping track of stuff, habits can be your friends.