Straightening A Mouthpiece

[paulfg]

I have a bent tapered stem pipe that the button is slightly out of square with the pipe .The righthand side of the bit/slot is higher than the left ie the slot is not horizontal.

I plan to heat and straighten it,my question is how?

Do i heat in boiling water the end of the stem or use a lighter.#?

Do i heat only near the button or further down the taper,if it was a saddle stem I would find it easier to decide

 

[fluffie666]

The first thing I would ask myself in this case is "Do I care if I ruin this pipe?" If the answer is yes, I would opt to send it off to a good restoration outfit. If the answer is no, then I would wrap a small piece of 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper to a straight edge and very carefully reshape the stem. After I was happy with the results, I would go through grades of micromesh up to 12,000 and finish the stem off on a buffer with white diamond and carnuba wax.

 

[danielplainview]

Don't boil. It will oxidize the stem. Sometimes this is very difficult to remove after boiling. Slowly heat with a flame the area to be adjusted. Pictures would be a tremendous help in finding a solution.

 

[clickklick]

Soft flame from a tea light but keep it a few inches away or you risk bubbling the stem.
I prefer a heat gun but not everyone has one available.

 

[styler]

I had to do this with a pipe recently and just held it above a candle (quite a bit above) until the stem was just pliable enough to correct. I'd advise putting a pipe cleaner into the stem first so that you don't accidentally narrow the airway.

 

[paulfg]

thank you guys,I am actually not sure if I want to risk it or not.

Unfortunately I would need to send the pipe to USA to find a decent restorer. Maybe I will leave it for now and send it when I need some other work done.

I am thinking of getting a couple of new stems made by George D so maybe I will send it then

 

[jpmcwjr]

Still, photos would be a good thing.

 

[aldecaker]

I am a little confused as to whether the issue is with the button, or with the slot itself.

 

[ssjones]

I use an in-expensive heat gun from the Hobby-Lobby (about $15).

Here's one pipe that I adjusted:

https://rebornpipes.com/2015/11/05/new-tool-for-bending-a-stem/

 

[jpmcwjr]

Would some of the higher wattage hair dryers work?

 

[ssjones]

On the hairdryer, I'm tempted to say "no". The heat gun I have hits 650 degrees, while my hair dryer days are way behind me, I don't think they get that hot.

http://www.kmart.com/american-crafts-zap-embossing-heat-gun/p-021V002264385000P?sid=KDx01192011x000001&gclid=CNCw1P7hq9ACFUhXDQodSUIFyg&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[jpmcwjr]

OK, thanks. I must say that item looks like a lady's personal equipment.....

 

[ssjones]

There's no chance I'm misplacing it in the garage/workshop....

 

[paulfg]

@aldecaker The issue is that if you look at the slot is not horizontal ie the right side is a bit higher than the left so the whole button area is like that.

if the button was level in your mouth the pipe would not hang straight down it would hang to the left.

Anyway I have decided to leave it alone for now.