Two Questions About the Manufacturing of Meer-Lined Briars.

[SBC]

Unlike some guys, I don't think that meer-lined briars are a gimmick. I have two (a GBD and a Chacom) and think that their advantages are real. But there are two questions about their manufacturing which I've never found answers to:

1. What resin or adhesive is used in making pressed/composite meerschaum? (Which I assume is what we find in meer-lined briars.)

2. What adhesive is then used in installing a meerschaum bowl into a briar?

Do any of you know?

 

[mikethompson]

I always thought the Meer bowls were 'screwed' into the briar bowls or otherwise compressed in there. I've seen guys break off the broken meer bowls and smoke them like a conventional briar with no residue showing.

 

[doctorbob]

As an aside, some manufacturers like Hilson used block Meerschaum bowls.

 

[chilllucky]

I am guessing, but given that 1. Block meerschaum is a thing and 2. That meerschaum can be softened I would assume that a plug of block is pressed/cast/formed and forced into a drilled piece of briar to be drilled and shaped after it dries out.

I believe (but can't find any good references) that block meerschaum is just the mineral granulated, wet, and pressed into a block without adhesive.

I'm quite fond of my meer lined pipe. It allows me to smoke a meer which my perpetually oily, dirty, Machinist's fingers prevented me from doing. I kept staining the things.

 

[SBC]

Well, you guys may very well be right. I simply assumed that a meer lining would be a composite pressed into shape; but, if it's block, hey that's great. As for how it's affixed, I am curious.

 

[Briar Tuck]

According to everything I've read on the subject, most meer linings are indeed composite, made from meer dust and an emulsifier/binding agent. Apparently African meerschaum is often used, and all of my Tanganyika made pipes are meerschaum lined.

I have no idea what is used to hold the composite together or how it is installed in the chamber.

 

[chilllucky]

I think I'm using terms wrong above. When I said "block" I was referring to the composite. I think now that refers to the mineral as mined.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I have a bunch of uncut meer bowl inserts and they are block, not composite. I believe they are pressed in and then drilled for the chamber in place. Most likely no adhesive used.

 

[UB 40]

As an aside, some manufacturers like Hilson used block Meerschaum bowls.

Like this was one, a Hilson White Cap”

 

[UB 40]

I found something on reborn pipes, that is similar to @rustiepyles saying:

“Was the Meer-lining a result of compacted or pressed Meerschaum that was formed to the chamber or was it a cut piece of Meerschaum that was inserted as a separate piece? Steve’s response was that Meer-linings generally were cut in a lathe and drilled and inserted to fit the chamber.”

A Meer-lining and Crack Repair to Rescue a Doomed Gargantuan Kilimanjaro Made in Tanganyika Bent Billiard

Blog by Dal Stanton My good friend in India, Paresh, commissioned 3 pipes from the ‘For “Pipe Dreamers” Only!’ collection. To have him commission pipes is a privilege after being with him and his …

rebornpipes.com

 

[Hillcrest]

Well, you guys may very well be right. I simply assumed that a meer lining would be a composite pressed into shape; but, if it's block, hey that's great. As for how it's affixed, I am curious.

Peterson used block meerschaum --- cut to fit the pipe not compressed dust and adhesive. That's why they go for a premium today. I believe Pioneer meerschaum did the same but have no proof of this.

 

[TheWhale13]

You can buy something like this. I would image that these meerschaum inserts are one of the ways that lined pipes are/were made.