The Ten Minute Stem Restore.

[khiddy]

I bought a Forever Stem 15 years ago, put it on an MM Diplomat.....and never smoked it.
No idea why, just haven't got to it yet.
View attachment 384708

Dude that is handsome.

 

[Sig]

Dude that is handsome.

Thanks.
I really need to smoke it soon.
This is one of the older ones with the dot. They don't offer the dots anymore.

 

[FLDRD]

I bought a Forever Stem 15 years ago, put it on an MM Diplomat.....and never smoked it.

No idea why, just haven't got to it yet.
View attachment 384708

I don't know why it struck me as funny, but it did.
Maybe you've got a rare and valuable Dunn-cob from the popcorn era.

 

[lazar]

Vulcanite/Ebonite stems are my first choice. I like the feel of them and the looks. But, I can be a lazy SOB sometimes.....much of the time.
Anyways, I have followed all the advice over the years with varying success......Oxyclean, Magic Eraser, Barkeepers Friend, Flitz......
Then about 10 years ago I had a revelation and remembered the KISS method of life I do love.
So, here it is.......
0000 steel wool for a couple minutes, rub white beeswax all over, heat with lighter and rub for a minute. Done in under 10 minutes. I will occasionally use carnuba wax for a longer lasting, more shiny finish. But on my daily smokers, just beeswax. This GBD stem was pretty gross. The pictures don't do it justice. Zoom in to notice the drab green coating.

Have you also tried micromesh pads? I'm curious how different 0000 steel wool would be from say, 2000 micromesh.

 

[anotherbob]

I'm hoping you just saved me from my endless search for both a replacement stem for one of my Savs or an easy method to clean the existing stem. I'll let you know the results.

great profile pic.

 

[redbarchetta]

great profile pic.

Thanks! Great album, for sure.

 

[anotherbob]

Thanks! Great album, for sure.

And one of the ones I have on vinyl. Got it when used vinyl was like three bucks .

 

[Sig]

Have you also tried micromesh pads? I'm curious how different 0000 steel wool would be from say, 2000 micromesh.

Nope, I just use what I already have around. The wool works great for me.

 

[anotherbob]

And one of the ones I have on vinyl. Got it when used vinyl was like three bucks .

One thing those album covers are just better on vinyl. Sadly I need a decent record player to listen to them. Crazy how they're not worth a ton, but I could make back what I spent on them selling any of them in almost good condition.

 

[anotherbob]

Thanks! Great album, for sure.

A thing about their album covers

 

[newbroom]

You can buy new MM stems for like $2. Ive seen packs of 10 stems on ebay for like $6.

I know. I've bought 'em. The new ones are always a tight fit too. I love using some of my vulcanite as military mounts in several of my cobs. I have a stems that fit the filtered models and one that fits unfiltered cobs like Morgans. Here's my 'first' cob. 14 yrs old and using a "P-lip" from a Peterson Barrel.

 

[Meerschaum Maestro]

Awesome hack!

 

[anotherbob]

I know. I've bought 'em. The new ones are always a tight fit too. I love using some of my vulcanite as military mounts in several of my cobs. I have a stems that fit the filtered models and one that fits unfiltered cobs like Morgans. Here's my 'first' cob. 14 yrs old and using a "P-lip" from a Peterson Barrel.

nifty lion up on that wall.