Tips and advice for restoring estate pipes?

[bubbadreier]

Okay so I am new here so excuse me if this topic has been discussed before.
I just started restoring estate pipes that I find at antique stores and flea markets. I very rarely buy any pipe that costs more than 4 bucks and I am not looking for that "diamond in the ruff", so if I screw it up it isn't much of a loss. I am just restoring these to give to friends and family to get them involved in pipe smoking. Now I know there is a ton of knowledgable and very wise people on this forum that are just dying to give any advice and/or tips to restoring these pipes. You can check out some of my current projects (and a picture of my wife with a pipe!) in my album here on these forums!
Bubbadreier's photo album

 

[admin]

This article has been pretty popular:

http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that-in-your-pipe/briar-pipe-repairs-home-remedies/
Also, from Bob:

http://pipesmagazine.com/python/general-pipe-section/routine-tobacco-pipe-cleaning-with-videos/
The only thing I can tell you is that it is a huge help to have a Stationary Buffer.

 

[admin]

Damn dude! Please tell me your wife actually smokes a pipe ... or is she just posing?
She is a super hottie.

 

[bubbadreier]

Haha thanks bub! I think she is pretty hot too :D
She does smoke my pipes on occasion, probably once a week, but for this photo she was just posing... When she gets off work I will take some photos with her actually smoking!
Thanks for the article links!

 

[igloo]

Nice collection , Being the king of the ten dollar pipe I just clean em up and enjoy them .Never do anything by machine that you can do by hand .A buffer can be made with a sewing machine motor and a foot pedal to control speed , low rpm = good .http://www.pimopipecraft.com/index.html