Rounded Stem Face Solution

[danielplainview]

I thought I'd share this simple trick for fixing a rounded stem face. Someone had gone overboard with compound and a buffer on this stem. Mowed the button, rhondell flat and rounded the end of the stem face.
I think anyone interested in these repairs, knows or has seen the thread on patching stems so I'll skip the button rebuild.

I drilled a hole the same diameter as the tennon in my sanding stick and used 400 grit to sharpen the stem face.

 

[scrooge]

Great job. Nice trick also. But it looks like somebody owes you a new sanding stick. LOL!

 

[newbroom]

Sanding stick? Who knew? I've been using half a clothes pin and holding the paper with my fingers. Not so much fun.

I just got my first set of micro mesh pads, and wonder why I waited so long.

I've been playing with em, on some of my stems as I play online poker and without working overly hard have perked up a bunch of stems to my great delight at the outcomes.

I really haven't been attempting perfection like a few of you 'experts', but maybe that will come in time?

The best toy I've had in a while.

Softees? The heck with those damned things. Who are you saving your stem for? Don't tell me that those rubber gaskets are comfortable.

Give me a slim, smooth stem with a nice button and NO hose guard. If my stems get dirty, scratched, or dingy, I can bring them back with no problem.

Small successes in the moments we dedicate to the hobby enrich the experience.

 

[ssjones]

That is a great solution Dave. I've tried to do this freehand, but that doesn't work. I'll try that technique on the next opportunity.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Confused about what I think I see. The sand paper appears to have both a hole for the tenon and a smooth(?) brownish ring around it about the width of the stem. Do you rotate the stem, or the sanding stick, or both?

 

[danielplainview]

@jpm
I held the stem firmly in place and twisted in a circle.

 

[smoothsailing]

Dave- great solution to an annoying problem, like Al I've tried it freehand with less then satisfactory results. I have a few in the spear parts box that may be salvageable now. Thanks for sharing, your tips have saved a pipe or two in the past.

 

[papipeguy]

Very cool and simple solution. Thanks for the tip.

 

[ejames]

A word of caution if you do this. If a stem has a taper that starts at the point where it meets the shank you could--if you take to much off the face of the stem-- end up with the stem to shank registration being off. In other words the stem will be a slightly smaller diameter than the shank. You could be correcting one problem only to create another. Go slowly and check the registration often.

 

[danielplainview]

Ed you're right. I only tested this on one stem before using it on the GBD. Both stems were roughly the same shape.
I always recommend trying any new ideas on a test pipe first.

 

[shikano53]

Great thread, thanks for the information.

 

[gloucesterman]

Thanks for the tip. I'll put that in my bag of tricks. Dutch

 

[ssjones]

Yes, I knew there had to be a point no return. As always, measure twice, cut once!

 

[agnosticpipe]

I was glad to see this info about finishing a stem that has been rounded at the shoulder. I don't have a sanding stick, but I'm sure I can cobble something together. I did use this process on a pipe shank that was rounded off, and even though I didn't have a peg to center it, just keeping is flat and working slowly in a circle worked fine. Thanks for the post Dave!

 

[posaydal]

Mate, that is simply ingenious. You have no idea how big of a problem you have just solved for me, and it's so simple. Thanks! I think i love you! :D