Unknown Maker Meerschaum Wouldn’t Smoke

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Ryan

Part of the Furniture Now
Sep 30, 2021
586
4,514
Noblesville Indiana USA
I bought a few estate pipes recently and a few came in the mail today. The first one I tried is a meerschaum made by an unknown maker. I liked the looks and price of the pipe well enough, although I would almost swear I saw the same pipe sold on the same website a while back. I tried it out and it had a very constricted air flow. It would bar like a larger draft hole on a pipe, I like an easy draw. I knew something would have to be done.

I thought about a return, but I decided instead to modify the pipe a bit and open that air flow up. I opened the pipe up and got my drill bits out. I drilled out the joint successfully (I was afraid of breaking that delrin).

That didn’t fix the problem. The draft hole through the shank was great, so I looked closer st the stem. Because the stem is somewhat transparent, I could see that the draft hole tapered down to a very small hole right near the button. This was the problem. My drill bit was just barely long enough, but it made it and I got it drilled out. Ran my fine file through there after and got it done!

Now it has a great draw and smokes well. The first two bowls were really tough to smoke, but now this thing is smoking!

I have had a pretty bad year, and kind of a frustrating day as well so this little victory really meant something to me even if it was really a very small matter. There is something about the very plain looks of this pipe that I like. I do think I saw it on the same site (smokingpipes)before and I can’t help but think that someone else bought it and returned it because it was so unsmokable. It’s a smoker now! It always pleases me to make something useable again. image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
 

Nitrane84

Might Stick Around
Jan 10, 2022
58
181
Chatham-Kent
I bought a few estate pipes recently and a few came in the mail today. The first one I tried is a meerschaum made by an unknown maker. I liked the looks and price of the pipe well enough, although I would almost swear I saw the same pipe sold on the same website a while back. I tried it out and it had a very constricted air flow. It would bar like a larger draft hole on a pipe, I like an easy draw. I knew something would have to be done.

I thought about a return, but I decided instead to modify the pipe a bit and open that air flow up. I opened the pipe up and got my drill bits out. I drilled out the joint successfully (I was afraid of breaking that delrin).

That didn’t fix the problem. The draft hole through the shank was great, so I looked closer st the stem. Because the stem is somewhat transparent, I could see that the draft hole tapered down to a very small hole right near the button. This was the problem. My drill bit was just barely long enough, but it made it and I got it drilled out. Ran my fine file through there after and got it done!

Now it has a great draw and smokes well. The first two bowls were really tough to smoke, but now this thing is smoking!

I have had a pretty bad year, and kind of a frustrating day as well so this little victory really meant something to me even if it was really a very small matter. There is something about the very plain looks of this pipe that I like. I do think I saw it on the same site (smokingpipes)before and I can’t help but think that someone else bought it and returned it because it was so unsmokable. It’s a smoker now! It always pleases me to make something useable again. View attachment 118294View attachment 118296View attachment 118297
Excellent handy work. Smoke it in peace. I hope the rest of the year turns out better than the beginning for you brother. Smoke many a bowl in good health and God bless.
 
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