Screw in stems
- Thread starter jship079
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It depends on the type you are talking about. Could you possibly post a picture? I am assuming that the screw in stem is in fact a stinger. Which more than likely has a little ball on the end that has a tiny hole. I just stick a pipe cleaner down as far as I can and when it gets bad I run some water through it but I don't know if I would suggest this as it is metal and could rust over time depending on what type of metal it is and how old the pipe is.
If you are trying to clean through a stinger. Throw that nasty stinger out. On the ones That have stingers as an integral part of the screw I take a needle file to them and get rid of them.
Old Kaywoodie pipes from the early years of 1919 through the early 50's were very close to the equal of any Dunhill of the time. I have many of them and have been amazed with the vintage ones.
As to your question the Kaywoodie from the 20's on has that fitment.You can remove the stem and take some grain alcohol from a liquor store (cheap stuff) then use a hobby or diabetic type syringe and push a few syringes full through the mouthpiece end. That will clean it out for the most part. After that use a thin pipe cleaner and run it in from the mouthpiece and withdraw. That will remove any grunge that remains.
As to your question the Kaywoodie from the 20's on has that fitment.You can remove the stem and take some grain alcohol from a liquor store (cheap stuff) then use a hobby or diabetic type syringe and push a few syringes full through the mouthpiece end. That will clean it out for the most part. After that use a thin pipe cleaner and run it in from the mouthpiece and withdraw. That will remove any grunge that remains.
Sometimes it requires a drill to open up a threaded stem that is clogged with gunk. Make sure you use the right diameter so you don't make the tube's walls too thin. Also works best with a variable speed drill and a vise to hold it the stem steady. Wrap the stem in several layers of cloth and hold the stem in the vise with as little pressure as possible to keep it secure. Then take your drill at super low speed and drill it out about 2mm at a time, backing out the bit and cleaning it. Get impatient and you will ruin everything. Go slow with good control and you will get a good result.
Another method is to put the stem down in some decent high proof booze for a nice long soak. As long as the bottle is open you may as well have a wee dram yourself .
I currently own two pipes that came with stingers and, in both cases, they are removable for cleaning purposes. One is an old Lee that has a screw-on stem with the stinger long since gone. The pipe still smokes just fine. If the thing doesn't snap out, cut it off. Life is too short to be aggravated by such things.
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