Q-Tip Stuck in stem
- Thread starter jessicac
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Maybe a shank brush could push it through? Sounds like something more rigid than a pipe cleaner is necessary at this point, like a length of 10 or 12 gauge wire. You could also apply pressure/suction.
Liquid Plumber, ha ha! No. JK. As ericthered said, something stiff but not so stiff that it will dig into the side walls of the stem, less than a coat hanger, more than a pipe cleaner. I have a roll of dead soft 10 gauge copper wire that I use for such things.
The first thing I'd try is a bristle pipe cleaner. I only suggest this as I have some at hand in the assortment I keep handy at my routine smoking areas and a few in the truck. Slip one inside and twirl it a bit. I think the wire bristles will grab the cotton so you can remove the cotton.
Jessica I would throw that stem in a hot water bath, cotton will get soft and be easier to push out.
Jessica, I'd go from the gentlest method, brads hot water bath, to the bristled pipe cleaner, to the soft wire.
If all else fails, the replacement stem sounds like a good plan C or D. But I suspect the hot water will do the
trick. In my experience, Q-tip cotton reduces in size when wet, unlike rice kernels for example that expand greatly.
(Irrelevant detail: Some old sailing ships carrying casks of dry rice had their hulls split in half when the hold flooded
because of the expansion of the rice. Horrible thought.)
If all else fails, the replacement stem sounds like a good plan C or D. But I suspect the hot water will do the
trick. In my experience, Q-tip cotton reduces in size when wet, unlike rice kernels for example that expand greatly.
(Irrelevant detail: Some old sailing ships carrying casks of dry rice had their hulls split in half when the hold flooded
because of the expansion of the rice. Horrible thought.)
Well I guess the problem is well and truly solved - that will teach you to buy a Peter-something or other pipe!
Guitar string? You must have muscled that thing through, well... think of it as a carbed pipe now :wink:
Jessica if a guitar string did that it wasn't worth a shit to start with . Give Floyd Norwoods a shout for a new stem.
Must have been the final stab that broke it. Remember that I've been trying to get it out since the night before by sticking a variety of hard objects into that stem.
As for a replacement, its a Peterson System so it wouldn't be too much of a problem, those things can be replaced off the shelf right?
As for a replacement, its a Peterson System so it wouldn't be too much of a problem, those things can be replaced off the shelf right?
Sorry about your bad luck. Sometimes we learn by our mistakes. ; ~ )
I broke the top part of the button on my Wally Frank within minutes of unpacking it. It was much more brittle than I'd realized. I superglued it and it works fine. Now I know more about stems.
I too, have used and do use cotton tips in the shanks of my pipes.
Yours is a cautionary tale.
Not qualified to answer your question.
I broke the top part of the button on my Wally Frank within minutes of unpacking it. It was much more brittle than I'd realized. I superglued it and it works fine. Now I know more about stems.
I too, have used and do use cotton tips in the shanks of my pipes.
Yours is a cautionary tale.
Not qualified to answer your question.
Jess, SmokingPipes.com has replacement Peterson stems at:
http://www.smokingpipes.com/accessories/pipe-supplies/index.cfm?tag=Peterson
lots of retailers carry them.
The next time you get a Q-tip stuck, a thin bladed saw, using a longitudinal cut, will cut the stem neatly in half. Then you can easily remove the Q-tip. :roll:
http://www.smokingpipes.com/accessories/pipe-supplies/index.cfm?tag=Peterson
lots of retailers carry them.
The next time you get a Q-tip stuck, a thin bladed saw, using a longitudinal cut, will cut the stem neatly in half. Then you can easily remove the Q-tip. :roll:
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