To Twist and Pull, or to Just Pull (Stems)

[lostandfound]

So, I made a visit to the local B&M awhile back, and bought a pipe. While making my way out of the store, I decided to remove the stem, rather, to attempt to remove the stem, by twisting clockwise and pulling simultaneously. The thing wouldn't even budge. Not a smidge. Shank broke right in half. Snap. I took it back up to the counter, and the guy proceeded to ask me how I tried to remove the stem. I told him "I twisted, and pulled." He immediately decided I was a buffoon, and told me "You're supposed to pull it straight out". He ended up refunding me my $28.00, but not without trying to make me out to be an asshole for it. So, before I go back in there, I'd like to know whether or not I owe him an apology, for breaking his pipe with my incompetence.

 

[lostandfound]

No, Roth, I didn't buy a replacement pipe. The one I bought was the only one I liked, and after our little disagreement I felt extremely unwelcome. I guess I expected him to acknowledge the fact that the pipe was not fit properly, rather than giving me a beginner's lesson in disassembling a pipe. Something along the lines of "Well, you get what you pay for I suppose", or "damn, that was a poorly made pipe wasn't it?" Not, "Oh, you're supposed to pull it straight out, you dumb shit.".

 

[onepyrotec]

Is that your only choice for a tobacco store? Right or wrong makes no difference.
I personally hold grudges and have been driving an extra 30 miles to a "good" tobacconist for the last 10 years due to one arrogant shop worker in my former favorite B&M.

 

[sfsteves]

onepyrotec said:

"I personally hold grudges and have been driving an extra

30 miles to a "good" tobacconist for the last 10 years due to

one arrogant shop worker in my former favorite B&M."

Sounds as if you could live near me ... we either have a former favorite B&M in common or arrogant shop workers are more common than one might hope.

 

[chemistfox]

I always gently twist and pull. It makes the most sense to me. At least the guy refunded your money. Although, i'm not sure if i would go back.

 

[craig94yj]

I've read and practice the clockwise pull and twist. I have a stem on one pipe that is made from horn and the tenon is metal screwed into the horn. I was pulling and turning counter clockwise when it was stuck and the pieces came apart. I screwed it back in and was able to free it using the clockwise twist and pull.

 

[lostandfound]

Yep, this is my only option for a B&M, and yes, it was good of him to give me a refund.
This isn't the first time I felt belittled and disrespected in this store. Never with the owner though, just his staff. It's a shame he's rarely around.

 

[allan]

[/quote]I've read and practice the clockwise pull and twist

@craig94yj It sounds counter intuitive. After all, "lefty loosie, righty tightie" (groan!-for any mechanics out there.)
It would just seem logical that unless it is one of those pipes with a threaded tenon, either direction of wood on wood should be fine, with a gentle movement outward while turning.
@lostandfound-clearly that guy was a jerk. So often young people are treated that way, and there is really no excuse for it-especially when pipe smokers should be coddled and encouraged, not belittled.
you're right-he was behaving like an asshole.

 

[bigvan]

Sorry about the poor customer service.
I've always used the "twist and pull" method, but only heard about the twist being clockwise a year or two ago. According to pipe maker Russ Cook, clockwise is the same direction the drill bit made. Not that Russ claimed you HAD to twist it clockwise; he was just passing on what others had told him.
As for the pipe itself, for $28 you're going to get what you pay for. But it's still nice you got a refund. Before buying any pipe (regardless of price) I give it a full inspection, which includes removing the stem in front of the seller. I do this to see the fit as well as to check the mortise for cracks.
The pipe doesn't sound all that impressive, so I guess you dodged a bullet. But what kind of pipe was it?

 

[chrisschneck]

Pulling a stem straight out is just bad advice. But in the retailers defense there's not a lot he can do for you if it isn't manufacturers defect and its left the establishment. If it would have happened right in front of him, he would have pretty much been obligated to replace it.

 

[kashmir]

Always twist and pull ... and never on a warm pipe.

 

[sablebrush52]

Always gently clockwise twist and pull. But never force a stem. If it's not coming loose, bring the pipe back. I will confess that, being left handed, I sometimes instinctively turn counterclockwise, and have had no ills affects from doing that, nor the occasional twist back and forth with some stubborn stems when starting a restoration, but I always do it gently.
Your tobacconist telling you that the proper method is to just pull the stem straight out, is bull, pure 100% unadulterated bull. I would look elsewhere for pipes.

 

[jeepnewbie]

Always heard and read pulling strait out was a bad idea. Met a few pipes while browsing and buying that I felt a bit uncomfortable since they seemed stuck. Having the seller remove if for me, they always twist and pulled. Funny thing is everyone, myself including (that i watched) twist both directions while gently pulling. Except a meer I only twist clockwise on them.

 

[lonestar]

Twist !

 

[bryanf]

Unless the lathe that made the pipe is running counter-clockwise, and using left-handed drills, which I highly doubt in both cases, turning counter-clockwise makes much more sense to loosen. Sorry, I was a machinist for years, and Russ' explanation makes no sense. Turning clockwise would be going against the pitch and want to tighten, not loosen. That said, I gently twist and pull, counter-clockwise, but it really doesn't matter if the tenon is buffed free of tool marks which it should be.

 

[admin]

Twist & Shout.

 

[wayneteipen]

I was taught the same as Russ by some very reputable pipemakers. I think the point is not to cause excessive wear on the tenon and turning agains the micro-grooves from the drill bit can wear the tenon material over time. Whether that actually happens is debatable. That being said, I've never seen adverse effects of turning clockwise and pulling so that's what I do.

 

[zack24]

I just switched to hand-threaded Delrin tenons secured with epoxy on my stems....Please, Twist clockwise....

 

[zack24]

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[pruss]

I'm with everyone else... for push/pressure fit mortise and tenon pipes I gently twist clockwise and pull.
I do a lot of pipe buying in antique stores, yard sales, and on the road in B&M pipe shops where I am NOT a regular. In these instances I always say, "I'd like to inspect the shank. Would you like to remove the stem or may I?" I've had some folks (mostly in antique stores) ask me why I would want to do this. Which leads to fun, and sometimes longish, conversations.
I once had a clerk in an antique barn ask me, "But what if the stem breaks?" I politely indicated that I wouldn't be likely to buy the pipe if the stem broke off in the shank. :idea:
-- Pat