Technical Knowledge?

[sparrowhawk]

I've often wondered what some of you fellows do to keep your stable of pipes in such great shape, and find I need to learn how to do it as well. Now I am not going to go out and buy a lathe or an industrial buffer, but surely something can be called upon on a smaller scale to keep a pipe and it's rim clean and shiny and well waxed? Would something like a Dremel power tool be used for such purposes? How do you get oil and dirt off a pipe before polishing it with a hard wax? (I forgot the name of it.) If a Dremel tool is used, or something even smaller is used, what sort of exchangable head would be used to clean off a rim's edge, and renew that shiny wax gleam on the stummel? If you see an invitation here to let loose with your wisdom, you got it right. Can you help me get what I need to really do a nice job of maintaining my pipes? Thanks all.
PS: The fellow who sold me the Woodcock billiard has another up for bid, can ya believe it? I get myself because I like to get duplicates of pipes I'm especially fond of, but just can't justify the exprense right now.

 

[sablebrush52]

Just type in a Google search using "pipesmagazine pipe cleaning" and you'll get links to a plethora of threads on every aspect of the subject.

 

[cosmicbobo]

Though I put my meer in its case my pipes are for use. I don't mind the black rim. An old fellow friend, long gone, must have used the same pipe for fifty years. The rim looked like a rotted out tree stump. I venture to say, from the BS stories between us, that he enjoyed his stump more than I my meer.

 

[mso489]

I'd say go easy. Pipes take as much wear from over maintenance as from hard smoking and lack of cleaning. Especially if you have a wide rotation of pipes, like twenty or more (or many more), a good scooping out, wiping out for those of us who don't build cake, a pipe cleaner cleaning, and a good buffing with a rag will maintain a pipe over many years. I think a certain amount of wear looks good on a pipe. Trying to maintain them in like-new condition seems to miss the point. Continual applications of waxes or other polishes can build up a residue. Likewise, a lot of mechanical polishing and buffing can slowly thin the finish. You want a pipe clean, but not pipe-shop new looking, I think. This is partly a matter of taste, but don't overdo it.

 

[sparrowhawk]

I always depend on your wise counsel, mso. And thanks to all for your perspectives.

 

[cosmicbobo]

MSO seems to be the zen balance for all things pipe

 

[jndyer]

MSO seems to be the zen balance for all things pipe

 

[Chasing Embers]

I bought some padded mats intended for bathroom floors that were the same size as the shelves in my closet. I wipe my pipes off after a smoke, and lay them back in there place on the pads. Never have had to wax a pipe bought new. On estates, I just use paragon wax.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Most of the time, I simply corkscrew a paper towel into the bowl (except on a couple pipes I'm actually trying to build a cake for comparison), and run a couple pipe cleaners through the stem and shank. I also give them a puff, to blow out any residual bits of tobacco, I may have missed, and I gently wipe everything down with a microfiber cloth. For the most part, this keeps my pipes looking shiny new. I do have a small two wheeled buffer that I hardly ever have to use. I also use Paragon on occasion. My method can get you a near factory shine. I put on the paragon, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then use a hair dryer (stem off) to heat the pipe, and then rub the wax in with a microfiber cloth until all the waxy residue is gone, and then very lightly but quickly give it a soft buffing to bring out the shine.

 

[cosmicbobo]

Would Eddie G or Humphrey B put as much care into shining pipes? C'Mon, guys! Oh, I'll stop. I have to powder my butt now

 

[sparrowhawk]

Since we're on the subject, I might as well add this little item for those who haven't already figured this one out, namely restoring the mark or insignia stamped on the side or top of stems which inevitably ware off: you simply take a microscopic drop of antique paste out a small tube or jar usually found in art supply stores or dress shops, and smear the stuff on, then later buff. Voila! The letter or shield or whatever looks new.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I always used whiteout for that, but have since just started enjoying a pipe's aged look.

 

[newbroom]

It would be great to have a buffing wheel with 2 pads. I've got some mesh pads for high polishing of stems, but generally just maintain reasonable cleanliness with pipe cleaners, q-tips, and tissues.

There was a good idea mentioned on one of the radio shows. Use toothpaste on your stem after each smoke.

 

[mawnansmiff]

A Dremel has many uses for the pipe refurbisher, alas polishing or buffing isn't one of them.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[cortezattic]

I re-purpose old flannel shirts to buff up my pipes.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A Dremel has many uses for the pipe refurbisher, alas polishing or buffing isn't one of them.

Actually, the first few pipes I made were finished and buffed using a Dremel.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

As Jay stated here, if using a Dremel one must be extremly careful, due to high speed ,I have one with all supplies incl,and now I'm coming to conclusion I better off to not using it on pipe polishing or buffing

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just turn them down into their lowest settings.

 

[Skapie]

I dropped some whisky on a pipe stem this weekend. The smell of burning rubber instantly alerted me to the fact that I screwed up.
The alcohol burned the vulcanite to a dull matte finish.
Dremel tool, used felt polishing wheel, slowest setting (2000 rpm on mine) and we're back to a shine.
The small diameter of the Dremel's polishing wheels can result in a lower actual velocity of the contact point than a drill with a large polishing wheel, although I suspect tbe bigger wheel dissipates heat better, which may be the real problem.