Ring for Broken Shank on a Cheapo Pipe

[trubka2]

When I dropped this cheapo estate pipe within 15 minutes of buying it, a single triangular chunk came out of the end of the shank. The angles of the break are such that the chunk fits right back into place, and can be easily secured without glue by any old thing that will exert some roughly uniform centripetal force. Glue or epoxy alone doesn't seem to be a good solution since that spot gets stressed every time the stem is removed or replaced. Green twisty tie has worked fine for holding the broken chunk the last couple months, but it's starting to bother me a bit. As such, I've decided to put a band on it. Just slip it on with a bit of glue and call it good.
My problem: For the life of me, I just can't think of what sort of band I should go for. If I was a gazillionaire, I'd commission one of Cosmic's polka dot bands in a precious metal. Or perhaps buy a replacement pipe. But I can't think of any color or texture (other than maybe cast iron) that would work. I mean, let's face it, the pipe's not exactly a looker. On the other hand, I do kind of like its George Jetson/midcentury-modern lines, and I smoke it daily, so I'd rather not render it so hideous that I can't bear having it anywhere near my face. Purple acrylic? Cat gut? Elk tusk? Rawhide? Moon rock? Clear sparkly acrylic with a mood ring stone? A very small alien and/or leprechaun? Nothing works for me. Any ideas?? Please help!

PS - I doubt it matters, but just in case: it's stamped "London Briar", with "Italy" on the stem.

 

[wallbright]

I think superglue would hold since it isn't at a part that would be heated and cooled over and over like the bowl. You could always super glue and then fashion a stainless steel ring.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Thanks for mentioning me. There must be some sort of shift in astrological, lucky, mood rings or something that is making us drop pipes as soon as we get them, ha ha.
Yeh, you probably don't want gold, but there are some guys who do band repairs using pre-made bands. I think most of these are silver, but I am just guessing. You will want something to support that part of the pipe. Glue alone won't go the long haul, or even a few removals of the stem.
I would offer to do it, but I know that I am not the cheapest.
You can try contacting one of the forum repair guys. I hesitate to mention any names, because when I have in past I was all wrong on what guy does what. Maybe someone who has had a band done will drop a name.
I'm sorry this happened, but as you know, been there, done that. If you can't find someone, feel free to drop me a PM, and I will see what I can do. I am by no means a repair guy, but I could hack my way through it, ha ha. But, hopefully, someone will mention a great repair guy known for doing great bands, and you will have that puppy smoking ASAP.

 

[bnichols23]

Concur with both Cos & wallbright; krazy glue will do short-term, but even with that you probably do want to band it. If you're lucky enough to have a decent B&M close by, check with them, but if not, go with Michael's suggestion of contacting one of the forum repair experts. You can also google for pipe repairs & the better ones are likely to come up. For the best of the best, though, check the forums first.
Bill

 

[mso489]

Could be fun to dress up this little pipe with a band. With a repair job, it will likely last forever.

 

[davek]

Funny you mentioned rawhide. I've used it for similar. Great thing is that it shrinks when it dries. Get it wet and it's soft and pliable, dries rock hard. El cheapo source? Doggy chew toy from the dollar store.
Failing in that, but not wanting to get something custom made. Measure the shank and if it is close enough to the ID of metal tubing at the hardware store, use that. Ideally find a short piece of tubing just slightly smaller and sand the shank to a tight press fit.

 

[trubka2]

Thanks for the ideas and guidance, gents! I'm going to go DIY on this one because the pipe only cost 23 bucks (though that's more than I've spent on most my pipes), and it would be kind of silly to shell out 4-5+ times that for a fancy ring job. I'll ask at Uhle's next time I'm in to see if they have any ready-made rings close enough in size. They've been around forever, so I have to imagine they've got a trove of that kind of stuff stashed somewhere. Failing that, might just try the rawhide for that Flintstones look. Davek - My only worry was that the rawhide might shrink up too much as it dries and actually crush the stem. I take it you had no problems with that?
Thanks for the offer of help, Cosmic. Those polka dot rings are super cool, just look like a million bucks. My aesthetic is normally very anti-bling, but that's some bling I can get behind!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just in case.
Bands, Caps, and Rings

 

[scloyd]

Great link Embers. Saved that in my favorites for the future.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Definitely a good source. They've combined Pimo and Pipemaker's Emporium for a one stop shop for carving and repair.

 

[davek]

I've done a repair just like that and rawhide did not crush the wood. It will crush a reed stem sometimes. The repair I made was with rawhide cut into thin lacing though, and looked like a neater version of what you've already done. Thinner lacing, ends tucked under, wood stain and varnish, yada.
Now, those bands embers linked to looked very nice and the nickel ones were only a few bucks. It's a shame they don't list the internal diameter. Has anyone purchased any and know the wall thickness?
If you have calipers to get the diameters properly matched, a lazy afternoon with a pocket knife and a piece of sandpaper could make a nice looking repair.
"If you didn't make it yourself, it's not really yours."

Tim the Tool Man Taylor

 

[trubka2]

Thanks, davek!

 

[didimauw]

I forgot all about Vermont Freehand....
...
...
Uh oh....

 

[weezell]

Hose clamp...(well it's gonna be cheap)... :wink:

 

[ophiuchus]

Just in case.

Ooooh, you betcha. Thanks!

 

[jpmcwjr]

If you use rawhide- and a great idea that is- be sure to let it dry with the stem inserted.....

 

[trubka2]

Hose clamp...

That was actually my first thought, but I found a twisty tie first. I briefly entertained the idea of putting hose clamps on all my billiards that aren't sitters. The bolt would keep them upright, and I could hang them all on a magnetic knife rack instead of building more shelves. It just sounded like a PITA, though, so I didn't do it. Yet.

 

[jpmcwjr]

And there's the aesthetics....