Tenon enlargement? Ideas?

[danielplainview]

A little help? I bought a churchwarden pipe stem at an antique shop, and I'd like to fit it to a certain pipe. The problem is, the tenon circumference is a little small. But the stem is the perfect size for the pipe. When held into the shank it looks like it was made for it. I've tried the heat and press method for enlarging the tenon, but it's not enough. My question, is there a way to add material to the tenon to make the circumference larger? Any ideas would be helpful. A Stanwell churchwarden conversion for $3 would be great.

 

[woodsroad]

 

[danielplainview]

I assume that is Viagra. Funny, but not helpful.

 

[snagstangl]

wrap with teflon tape until the right size is achieved. I also then I have seen reducers to swithc from one size to another but I can't remember on which site.

 

[ejames]

Find a drill bit slightly bigger than the airway in the tenon. Heat the tenon evenly until soft and shove the un-fluted end of the drill into the tenon,preferably past the point where the tenon joins the stem.Let it cool and remove the drill bit. May need to go up another size if the first one wasn't enough. Don't over do it, go up in 1/64" steps or you may crack the tenon. Thorough,complete heating is important. You can test buy pushing a finger nail lightly into the FACE of the stem near the tenon,if it marks easily the tenon should be soft enough.
If it ends up to big sand with some 400 -600 sandpaper for a snug fit.

 

[pipejunky]

I'm with ejames on that process, I boil water pour it into a mug and dip the tenon in for like a 1 minute then insert the butt end of the drill bit or drift.

 

[danielplainview]

Thank you everyone. I managed to make it work. Im very pleased with the results.