Stem Materials

[Frazveragan]

Hello All!

I’m a longtime artist/fabricator who has recently gotten into pipe carving. I happen to do a lot of mold making and casting and regularly work with resins, and I have a few question about stem materials:

-when I see people referring to alumilite as a valid option for pipe stems, is this specifically referencing rtv epoxy resin?
-I’ve seen polyester resin mentioned, what about polyurethane?
-kind of back in the first question but are guys casting stems generally using RTV materials or thermoplastics?

Thanks for the input!

 

[georged]

That's awfully specialized for this board.

You'll probably have better luck here:

pipemakersforum.com - Index page

 

[pipingfool]

That's awfully specialized for this board.

You'll probably have better luck here:

pipemakersforum.com - Index page

^^^^This

I was just typing the exact same response when georged replied.

 

[Frazveragan]

Thanks for pointing me in that direction!

 

[Saeid's Pipes]

Hello All!

I’m a longtime artist/fabricator who has recently gotten into pipe carving. I happen to do a lot of mold making and casting and regularly work with resins, and I have a few question about stem materials:

-when I see people referring to alumilite as a valid option for pipe stems, is this specifically referencing rtv epoxy resin?
-I’ve seen polyester resin mentioned, what about polyurethane?
-kind of back in the first question but are guys casting stems generally using RTV materials or thermoplastics?

Thanks for the input!

Hi, I believe mostly use Acetal Homopolymer / Delrin Rods. Check Delrin Sheet, Delrin Rod, Acetal Sheets, Rods, Bars, Plates - https://iplasticsupply.com/home/plastic-materials-list/acetal-delrin-celcon-basf-pom-pomalux-sheet-rod/ and also someone said that he used ABS material which is much cheaper . See ABS Sheets and ABS Rods In Stock - Large Range Of Sizes and Shapes - https://iplasticsupply.com/abs-cycolac-absylux-royalite-sheet-rod/

​

 

[bigd.daddydave]

I'm curious as to what all woods make good stems. I carved the chamber section from Irish bog oak. I would like to keep the pipe all wood. I live in Texas, so I would like to use wood from around me like pecan, texas ash, post oak, live oak, maybe texas cedar (but it is very pitchy), persimmon, etc. I have tried numerous places to get help with this subject, and have gotten no where.