Smokemaster Stem Screws in a Little Too Far

[agnosticpipe]

I recently picked up a very old Smokemaster pipe. I know, you're probably thinking, why?! Well, the briar looks quite old, has no fills, it has a patent number, and it was cheap! It's a nice small Dublin shape pipe, and I like its looks and would like to try smoking it. My problem is that the stem has a aluminum fitting on it that screws into an aluminum fitting on the pipe shank. This is part of an elaborate filter system using a pipe cleaner. (ugh) I guess screwing this on and off over the years has worn the coarse threads a bit and now it screws in too far making the stem crooked and too far to the right. (looking from the rear) I don't see any way of turning either aluminum fitting to fix this, and the only thing I can think of is to use some teflon plumbing tape on it to take up the slack. Obviously this would have to be done quite often. Any other suggestions, or ideas on a fix?

 

[rebornbriar]

I was going to suggest the teflon thread tape as a quick fix, but you got there before me.
I think Steve Laug wrote about repairing a similar type stem in his blog rebornpipes.wordpress.com. Use the search facility to look up threaded tenon. It involves the removal of the tenon from the stem, screwing the tenon tight into the mortise thread, then re-attaching the stem lined up.

 

[ejames]

Do you have a pic of that threaded tenon?

 

[fnord]

I'm with resident Dr. Grabow expert and craftsman, Ejames, on this one, Agnosticpipe. Throw up some pix as soon as you can.
Like Sam's suggestion with hot water, I was talked through the same process for an overclocked stem using needle nosed pliers and a Bic lighter on my last two but most favorite DGs. The flame is used sparingly and it does work like a charm.
I'm an idiot when it comes to stuff like this. But, if I can do it, believe me anybody can.
Fnord

 

[trailspike48]

I've had good results correcting twisted stems on Kaywoodies using a heat gun on a low setting and gently heating the end around the stinger (do not overheat just go slow), then while holding the stinger (plyers or vice) gently twist the stem back slightly. Cool and test for fit. Redo until the stem lines up properly. I've done this twice with no damage to the stem, just go slowly, if the stinger doesn't turn, heat a bit longer.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Hi everyone! I want to thank all that responded with help for this problem with my old Smokemaster. The teflon tape worked ok, but was not the best fix in the long run. I took fnords advice and carefully heated the tenon with a lighter flame, and then using an old rag and some pliers, gently twisted the aluminum collar. Behold! it moved, and I was able to get it set just right. The pipe was really dirty, and as I was cleaning it up, I discovered a small crack on the edge of the bowl. Across the top of one edge and down the side of the bowl about 1/8". I decided not to leave well enough alone, and heeding the advice of other posts on this site, used some super glue to keep it from getting worse. When I'm done with it, I'll try to post some pics, if I can figure out how to do it. ( uh, any advise on posting pics )