Reamer Recommendations

[JeremyL]

Just getting into restoration after picking up ~50 estape pipes while in Vienna (and adding more as I am addicted to the hunt being back in the US of A). Just gearing up to start the work, and looking at reamers. I have a Kleen Reem from "that E place" coming in a few days. I've been hunting for a Pipnet but cant find anything (except $$$ one on Amazon). So considering the Scotte or Decatur versions - both readily available and ~$15-20. I'll get/buy/make a 'fitsall/oyster-knife type thing eventually but seems the PipNet style does a lotta good for other people.

Can't wait to see how these pipes clean up! Pretty excited to see a few of them.

 

[Chasing Embers]

360 grit sandpaper

 

[JeremyL]

360 grit sandpaper

Yes, I will be sanding on a dowel as well, but some of the ones I got have very thick cake built up.

 

[OzPiper]

More than half of my pipes are estates.
I have both Pipnet and Reem Kleen,but have used the Reem Kleen just once - to try it out.
The Pipnet is what I use all the time.

The extra cost of the Pipnet is worthwhile considering the large number of pipes you are planning to restore

 

[Chasing Embers]

Yes, I will be sanding on a dowel as well, but some of the ones I got have very thick cake built up.

Hollow scrapers are the next best and less expensive thing to a Savinelli Fitsall.

 

[sablebrush52]

Yes, I will be sanding on a dowel as well, but some of the ones I got have very thick cake built up.

For cutting through cake build up prior to a final sand paper over shaped dowel, I prefer a Pipnet for cylindrical chambers. The Chinese knock off marketed under the Castleford name is a piece of crap in comparison. I also have a set of Swedish made reamers for odd sizes, and a Buttner for conical chambers.

 

[AroEnglish]

If I remember correctly @georged prefers to use wooden popsicle sticks to ream chambers.

 

[Kirklands]

I broke the handle on one Pipnet knockoff (a Castleford) and then got another. I also have a Kleen Reem, which is less useful than I hoped it would be, although I may need to be patient and learn to use it better. Another that I like a lot is a little spring-loaded Bradbury Pocket Reamer. I like having several options depending on the pipe. I do pipe refurbishing as a hobby.

 

[sittingbear]

Senior Pipe Reamer:

https://vermontfreehand.com/product/senior-pipe-reamer/

 

[warren]

While I usually use whatever pocket knife is handy, Stubborn cake sometimes, necessitates my "fitsall."

 

[Jan]

Be careful with any two-bladed reamer as you can do more damage than good. It tends to catch high spots in the chamber and you'll end up with uneven cake at best or unusable pipe. I would try a little alcohol to wet the cake and when soft, use the knife to remove most of the build-up and finish with course sandpaper. Don't sand to bare wood, leave at least 3 mm of cake in the chamber.

Best regards Jan

 

[sittingbear]

This was a (now deleted) duplicate post.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Senior reamer and/or flatblading with an old Case spey blade for me.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Given all the different bowl sizes and geometries, along with cake conditions, I think a variety of solutions are needed.

 

[kcghost]

I use pipnet on the rare occasions I ream my pipe, I know Geore Dibos prefers the triangular shaped reamer but that is a sure recipe for disaster if I used that one.

 

[Sigmund]

A small sharp pocketknife has worked for me. Take a few minutes and take your time. Ive seen a lot of pipe damage from reamers. When you get the bulk of the junk out you can change to something more gentle.

 

[captpat]

For a proper reamer, I prefer a triangular-shaped one, though my usual preference is sandpaper on a large-diameter pencil. An Opinel knife with a rounded tip and a senior reamer have also been called upon.

 

[drrock]

Get a Buttner pipe reamer from eBay. Inexpensive & works great

 

[JohnnyBeach]

I am planning to turn a dowel to fit the cutting I need to do. I can glue sandpaper to it and use it when minor reaming is needed. I used to have an adjustable reamer but recall it was not very good and would take too much of the cake in spots.
The problem I face is getting the dowel to fit the heel of the pipe.

 

[renfield]

A letter opener, Senior reamer, or sandpaper on a dowel depending on the pipe and circumstances.