Stuck Stem

[Nathanael F]

Good day,

I joined this forum specifically because I am stumped. I primarily smoke a Lorenzetti Julius Caesar pipe that treats me very well. My issue lies with my apple style Brigham that I spotted in an antique shop in Canada for $17. It smokes fine but the stem won't separate. I have tried the acetone method, freezing it, just pulling as hard as I can out of frustration, I have contacted Brigham for advice to no avail. It's a 2 dot, with Brigham 209 stamped into the bottom. I would like to get a filter in it as I like a stiffer draw and would like to try Brigham's filters but have had no luck.

Any advice would me very much appreciated.

 

[jeepnewbie]

Got a picture of the pipe? I would not use acetone as a possibility of it messing with the stem. Rubbing alcohol or high proof drinking alcohol. You will have to get a bit of it inside the stem to soak the tars. Don’t pull straight you want to use a twist motion when removing. There is always the risk when trying to force it that the shank will snap.

 

[DangerStranger]

If I remember correctly some of those old Brighams have a metal tenon. I think that @jeepnewbie has you pointed in the right direction. You may want to plug the stem with something (plastic wrap works) then fill the bowl and shank with high proof alcohol. You could even put a cotton ball in the bowl to help soak up any loosened gunk. Let it sit overnight and see if it gets you anywhere. Good luck!

 

[mau1]

Check out my post for a similar problem. My meer has a stuck stem because the aluminum tenon was corroded. I solved the issue but made a blunder that damaged the stem afterwards. Lesson learned.

Can't Remove the Stem of an Unsmoked Kiko Meerschum​

 

[Nathanael F]

Got a picture of the pipe? I would not use acetone as a possibility of it messing with the stem. Rubbing alcohol or high proof drinking alcohol. You will have to get a bit of it inside the stem to soak the tars. Don’t pull straight you want to use a twist motion when removing. There is always the risk when trying to force it that the shank will snap.

Good to know, glad I joined as I heard acetone would be safe to use. I haven't tried anything so invasive on it yet as I wasn't sure if it would spoil the pipe. I only have the two pipes and they are expensive and difficult to get my hands on in Barbados. I will give that a try though and see how it works. Worst case is I stop chain smoking my pipes :P.

Thank you, I'll let you know how it pans out.

 

[Nathanael F]

If I remember correctly some of those old Brighams have a metal tenon. I think that @jeepnewbie has you pointed in the right direction. You may want to plug the stem with something (plastic wrap works) then fill the bowl and shank with high proof alcohol. You could even put a cotton ball in the bowl to help soak up any loosened gunk. Let it sit overnight and see if it gets you anywhere. Good luck!

I was thinking that but I am unsure, I'll give it a soak first and if that doesn't work I guess I'll take to the
hair dryer. If I can get it I'll be super happy as it smokes nicer than my Julius Caesar.

 

[Nathanael F]

Check out my post for a similar problem. My meer has a stuck stem because the aluminum tenon was corroded. I solved the issue but made a blunder that damaged the stem afterwards. Lesson learned.

Can't Remove the Stem of an Unsmoked Kiko Meerschum​

Very informative thank you. I'll try my best if it comes to that not to over cook it, I only have a gas oven so we shall see ?

 

[DangerStranger]

Very informative thank you. I'll try my best if it comes to that not to over cook it, I only have a gas oven so we shall see ?

Briar will expand with heat.... be careful!

 

[DangerStranger]

Here's a picture of a Brigham that I haven't had time to restore. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what you could be dealing with.

 

[Nathanael F]

Alcohol soak worked a treat, tenon is in poor condition but I'm just happy to clear her up.

Thanks everyone

 

[jeepnewbie]

View attachment 83929
Alcohol soak worked a treat, tenon is in poor condition but I'm just happy to clear her up.

Thanks everyone

Good to hear, I would polish up the metal tenon to make it easier to remove it later. Check the inside of the shank and remove any corrosion there also.

 

[DangerStranger]

View attachment 83929
Alcohol soak worked a treat, tenon is in poor condition but I'm just happy to clear her up.

Thanks everyone

Nicely done!

 

[LikeDadDid]

Good job! That's a nice pipe

 

[newbroom]

The first 3 yrs I smoked pipes now out of 7, I bought old estate pipes and cleaned 'em and smoked 'em.
I encountered many different challenges, allowing me to learn more and more about these fascinating historical pieces.
It's the ones that give you problems that teach you the most.
One of the fables I glommed onto when I found this website and the youtube pipe community, and so forth, was that you get a better smoke from older briar, and too, a previously smoked pipe might be more flavorful for various reasons. (?)
I've seen miraculous recoveries of old beaters on Reborn Pipes, and that alone inspired me to acquire old estates.
I got some mesh pads, a couple of reamers, cotton swabs and pipe cleaners and away we go!
Most of my pipes cost me less than $20.00. It feels good to clean one up and return it to duty.

 

[Jerry144]

Most of my pipes cost me less than $20.00. It feels good to clean one up and return it to duty.

+1 me too

 

[mau1]

View attachment 83852


Here's a picture of a Brigham that I haven't had time to restore. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what you could be dealing with.

That's a nice Brigham. Higher grading according to the brass dots.

 

[DangerStranger]

That's a nice Brigham. Higher grading according to the brass dots.

Thanks, it seems like a nice pipe. I need to clean it up and take it for a spin.