Scrapey Pipe Cleaners

[hmhaines]

It seems like I am often fighting to get a small pipe cleaner into my Peterson. The worst part is that the cleaner will sometimes feel like it is scraping the inside of the stem. I'm using BJ Long cleaners, should I buy a different brand? Is there a way to soften the ends of the cleaners?
Fearful of ruining my pipe.

 

[warren]

Don't be. A bit of rum or some such on the cleaner should remove any hardened residue in the bit or shank. Are the BJ Longs particularly fluffy? A smaller cleaner might pass easier. I find the use of a soaked cleaner, sometimes a bristle cleaner, usually gets the "goop" out and puts the stem and bit right. I usually do this on Sunday, the day I thoroughly clean pipes used during the week.

 

[pagan]

Rum or Vodka soak will help, like warren said, if they are the fluffy kind try a thinner or bristled cleaner.
you can try to run something soft, thin and flexible like small weed-eater line, don't force it, through the stem to see it there is a blockage, if so consider a retort to clean it out

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Is this a Peterson P-lip? Is the "scrapey" part you're referencing the end of the wire of the cleaner?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Cleaners can get slightly bent on the ends. Try to straighten them, or just snip the ends off.

 

[skraps]

Cleaners can get slightly bent on the ends. Try to straighten them, or just snip the ends off.

What Duane said. I typically have to bend just the very end straight. They get jacked up when they cut them at the factory, and sometimes in transit.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Cleaners can get slightly bent on the ends. Try to straighten them, or just snip the ends off.

Twas what I was getting at. Those P-lips are sometimes annoying to get a cleaner through. You finally win and get the cleaner down the stem just to get it stuck in the System reservoir! NOOOOOOO

 

[hmhaines]

Not using the extra fluffy, I don't imagine they'd fit at all. Haven't tried yet. The opening seems really small compared the my cobs. It is a fishtail, though.
I've got enough pairs of wire cutters, I'll add them to my Piping tool-kit. Maybe that'll help!

 

[aldecaker]

For bent pipes, I put a slight, gentle bend into the last inch or so of the pipe cleaner. Helps keep the twisted wire at the end of the cleaner from scraping on the inside curve of the stem.

 

[lawdawg]

For bent pipes, I put a slight, gentle bend into the last inch or so of the pipe cleaner. Helps keep the twisted wire at the end of the cleaner from scraping on the inside curve of the stem.

I do the same. If I feel the tip of the pipe cleaner hitting resistance, I take it out and try again.

 

[pappap]

I always use Dill pipe cleaners ,I tried some bundle fluffy ones and they leave to much fluff in my stems

 

[pagan]

to much fluff in my stems

...not gona touch that one

 

[didimauw]

I always wondered if the bristle pipe cleaners were damaging my stems and such, just by the way you can hear it scrape.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Happens with bent stems sometimes. I usually just put a very slight bend on the end of the cleaner. Giving a twist helps you find the right path through the stem without scraping.

 

[pappap]

pagan you have a warped mind ,joking of course

 

[pappap]

Pagan you have a warped mind ,joking of course

 

[mso489]

The bristle pipe cleaners are made with nylon or some other synthetic that is softer than any pipe materials, so it won't tear up the airway, according to my senior and experienced local independent pipe shop owner. As for the wire ends of regular pipe cleaners, I'm dubious they'd do damage, simply because the rub points are few and momentary. Such a widely used product would raise complaints if it were damaging the pipes.