Removing the Stem of a Warm Pipe

[craig61a]

I have heard arguments in the past for and against removing the stem from a warm pipe. Internet folklore to you’ll wreck that thing...

I generally don’t remove a stem from my pipes unless it’s necessary to clear some obstruction. It’s not really necessary in the course of cleaning after each use.

I use graphite on the tenon in order to allow relatively easy removal and insertion of the stem.

In my opinion it is of benefit to clean out the mortise every 30-40 uses so that a buildup of tar doesn’t occur between the interface of the mortise and tenon, so that the fit doesn’t get so tight that it takes a lot of force to break it loose.

The moisture will wick and dry into the interface. So by keeping it relatively clean problems can be avoided.

Anybody who’s ever unfrozen a Kirsten can probably relate to that...

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I removed a stem while the pipe was warm once. The shank cracked and I had to have a repair band installed. I never did it again.

This has happened me twice,learning the hard way,furthermore ,I may think also It might be advisable to avoid removing those stems too much which have after-market'repaired tenons,be it acrylic or vulcanite

 

[Worknman]

I wouldn't do it if it was red hot but I do it all the time within a minute or two of finishing the bowl. I wouldn't risk it on an expensive pipe, but the trick is to pull it out gently without putting any side pressure. I screw it out like I would a bolt.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I wouldn't risk it on an expensive pipe,

I clean all of my pipes the same way, and this fella is fine.?

 

[winton]

Every time I smoke in my garage / smoking lounge, I bring in a fresh pipe and smoke it. Then I run a pipe cleaner through the stem and around in the bowl.

Then I pick up the pipe, from the last time I smoked, and remove the stem and clean up whatever is needed.

Tomorrow, I will bring another pipe. . . .

 

[warren]

I'm among those who cares not if the pipe is cool or warm. Never had a problem. I do pull the bit straight out as I turn it. Gently and straight are my key words.

I've broken a shank or two through misuse or abuse. A nice job put the pipe back into good smoking condition. Luckily only a cosmetic change.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yup, no sideways pressure, and no sudden torque. Smooth and easy does it.

I've snapped a few tenons with a dropsky, lucky the tenon and not the shank took the force.

 

[davek]

I thought that the problem with removing a stem from a hot pipe is that it would make it loose That's been my experience, actually.

 

[mso489]

Not to sound fussy, but I think in removing stems, some of the success is in ones dexterity and touch. Some guys just have big strong hands and apply a high level of torque to nearly any task ... dandling a tea bag for that matter. Whereas others have a wide range of choice about the level of strength applied, from a watchmaker's touch to whatever their bench press capacity is. For those who don't know their own strength, letting a pipe cool may be a good idea. For watchmaker guys, they can probably do this with no problem. If you don't know your own strength, let it cool. For that matter, some women have uncommonly strong hands too.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Not to sound fussy, but I think in removing stems, some of the success is in ones dexterity and touch. Some guys just have big strong hands and apply a high level of torque to nearly any task ... dandling a tea bag for that matter. Whereas others have a wide range of choice about the level of strength applied, from a watchmaker's touch to whatever their bench press capacity is. For those who don't know their own strength, letting a pipe cool may be a good idea. For watchmaker guys, they can probably do this with no problem. If you don't know your own strength, let it cool. For that matter, some women have uncommonly strong hands too.

You nailed it, this is more than true, the undersigned being a living proof to your assessment, Best Greets,Paul

 

[anotherbob]

Not to sound fussy, but I think in removing stems, some of the success is in ones dexterity and touch. Some guys just have big strong hands and apply a high level of torque to nearly any task ... dandling a tea bag for that matter. Whereas others have a wide range of choice about the level of strength applied, from a watchmaker's touch to whatever their bench press capacity is. For those who don't know their own strength, letting a pipe cool may be a good idea. For watchmaker guys, they can probably do this with no problem. If you don't know your own strength, let it cool. For that matter, some women have uncommonly strong hands too.

wait so you think they say this for the same people that need to be told that if they reamer a pipe without taking and passing a special course that they'll destroy their pipes and the lives of everyone they love?

 

[Chasing Embers]

I thought that the problem with removing a stem from a hot pipe is that it would make it loose That's been my experience, actually.

That's more due to the 360° compression of mortise swelling when smoking. Applying heat to Vulcanite tenons reverses that.

 

[kurtbob]

I just err on the side of caution. If there is the possibility of damage, no matter how small that possibility is.......I wait for it to cool.

 

[mso489]

Some folks just shouldn't sit in or on delicate furniture. Even if they are fairly agile and nimble, a certain amount of weight shifting is just going to take grandma's frail rocker to heaven.

 

[David_Lawrence]

Would the material of the pipe make any difference in this? I don't know whether the answer's simple or obvious, I don't really have a mind for these sort of 'heat expands shank, which direction does the pressure...' physics demonstrations but I did consider whether meerschaum might be less susceptible than wood?

My issue, aside from wanting to clean after use but also wanting to smoke before bed, is using a pipe cleaner to absorb moisture that quite often builds because I'm not the driest of smokers and favour bent pipes. I've been advised of that solution but I've also been advised not to remove the stem while it's warm.

Just hoping that perhaps meerschaum doesn't expand/contract like briar thus lessening the issue; definitely don't want to take chances with my meer though!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Would the material of the pipe make any difference in this? I don't know whether the answer's simple or obvious, I don't really have a mind for these sort of 'heat expands shank, which direction does the pressure...' physics demonstrations but I did consider whether meerschaum might be less susceptible than wood?

My issue, aside from wanting to clean after use but also wanting to smoke before bed, is using a pipe cleaner to absorb moisture that quite often builds because I'm not the driest of smokers and favour bent pipes. I've been advised of that solution but I've also been advised not to remove the stem while it's warm.

Just hoping that perhaps meerschaum doesn't expand/contract like briar thus lessening the issue; definitely don't want to take chances with my meer though!

Meer softens from the moisture and if you have a threaded mortise insert you want to disassemble it as little as possible. If you have, like IMP uses, a permanent delrin mortise insert, disassemble, either warm or cold, will be no issue.

 

[sablebrush52]

Not all briar acts the same. With some pipes I own the wood will swell a little more from the moisture released during smoking.
Why does one need to remove the stem when the pipe is still warm? What is the point of that?
I pull the stem after a days use to clean out the mortise. I have zero desire to smoke a dirty pipe.
So I wait till the pipe has cooled and remove the stem as part of the cleaning process. 48 years, no cracked shanks, no problems with the fit.
Why would I do it any other way?

 

[saintpeter]

Why would I do it any other way?

I don't know. Bored with doing it the same way for 48 years? You wish to live on the edge and flirt with danger? Seriously if after a half century with no problems I wouldn't change a thing. I am so paranoid of the process I only take mine apart once a month for deep cleaning. Wipe with paper towel after each day, regular pipe cleaner every day and bristle ever 7 days. I am clumsy and break things by looking at them, so I don't mess with them until they are definitely room temperature.

 

[sablebrush52]

You wish to live on the edge and flirt with danger?

I'm a professional artist. In this culture and economy that's plenty of living on the edge and flirting with danger.

 

[Casual]

Why would I do it any other way?

To remove the balsa filter before it stinks up the briar, and so you can get a cleaner down through the stem.

I wait a few minutes, but when the shank is more or less room temperature, I pull the stem on Savinellis to change out the balsa filter.