Stem Problems.Please Help!

[ejames]

I can't remember off the top of my head just when Grabow quit making the LLBean pipes.It's hard to tell from the pic but that stem looks to be ABS plastic which Grabow started using in 1981-IIRC so it could be ABS. Most ABS pipes have a wider rectangular slot and the airways are rectangular. Vulcanite stems have a round airway through the stem with a narrower slot.

 

[ssjones]

I can't remember off the top of my head just when Grabow quit making the LLBean pipes.It's hard to tell from the pic but that stem looks to be ABS plastic which Grabow started using in 1981-IIRC so it could be ABS. Most ABS pipes have a wider rectangular slot and the airways are rectangular. Vulcanite stems have a round airway through the stem with a narrower slot.

New stuff to me, I will remember that one, thanks! If it is plastic, that wouldn't pick up a smell or oxidization problem, right?

 

[ejames]

New stuff to me, I will remember that one, thanks! If it is plastic, that wouldn't pick up a smell or oxidization problem, right?

Right! ABS will not oxidize or pick up tastes and smells like rubber stems.

 

[bigvan]

What is ABS? Acrylic?

 

[yohanan]

What is ABS? Acrylic?

ABS and Acrylic are similar but ABS is softer than Acrylic, ABS was introduced during WWII as an alternative to rubber. Acrylic is an alternative to glass such as plexiglass. ::

 

[schmitzbitz]

Put a dab of grease or vaseline over the logo.

Great advice - although personally I also like to cover any aluminum parts like stingers and tenons as well; better safe than sorry!

 

[ejames]

If a stem has an inlaid logo. the Oxyclean or even bleach will not hurt it.They are plastic.Painted logos will need protection as all aluminum does IMHO.

 

[uberam3rica]

Thanks guys this has helped a lot

 

[ejames]

Need to correct my self. Some pipes have inlaid logos that are made of aluminum. Those need to be protected!