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Jan 30, 2020
2,197
7,273
New Jersey
A gentle application of heat to the tenon should expand it a bit.

I can have this issue if I make a stem in the dead of the dry, cold winter and then mid-summer comes around and the briar expands from the humidity.
 

macaroni

Lifer
Oct 28, 2020
1,015
3,196
Texas
Thanks @pappymac, I'm glad he did a great job. Not surprised after watching a bunch of his videos! What a craftsman!! My understanding is that his "books" or "wait list" is filled up and not open for new work at this time.
thanks again, Buddy
mike
 

macaroni

Lifer
Oct 28, 2020
1,015
3,196
Texas
A gentle application of heat to the tenon should expand it a bit.

I can have this issue if I make a stem in the dead of the dry, cold winter and then mid-summer comes around and the briar expands from the humidity.
Just wondering--can your stem fall out if the pipe is held straight up, is it that loose (and then retighten with the weather change)?
 
Jan 30, 2020
2,197
7,273
New Jersey
Just wondering--can your stem fall out if the pipe is held straight up, is it that loose (and then retighten with the weather change)?
I once left a pipe under heat (so it was VERY dry, like 15% humidity environment), made the stem and then forgot about it until a few months later after sitting in normal conditions in a cabinet. Picked the pipe up and the stem slid right out onto the floor. So at the extremes, yes.

Our winters are average maybe 30% humidity, summers 70-80% and that's enough for stems to get a little bit looser. Similarly, they can get very tight if the opposite conditions happened (wet briar or a pipe left in very humid conditions will get very snug come winter).
 
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sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
20,669
48,781
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
@AJL67 and everyone, above--thanks for the great help.

Type of repair is a loose fitting stem. I got a birth year Dunhill from ebay that had something stuck on the tenon (clear fingernail polish maybe?). I didn't think before I acted, I simply scraped it off (should have asked myself why someone would put it there! LOL). Now the stem turn freely and falls out!

BTW--what's "ppl?"
Hope everyone here has great smoking and lots of smiles.
kindly
mike
George Dibos, georged on this forum, is the best restorer working today, bar none. Wait times are about a year.
However, to fix the issue of a loose tenon you may not need a pro at all, just a heat source. Go on YouTube and search for Walt Cannoy’s video tutorial on how to tighten a loose tenon and be prepared to be amazed at how easy it is.
It’s unfortunate that so few pipe smokers take the time to learn how to care for their pipes.
 
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kcghost

Lifer
May 6, 2011
15,141
25,685
77
Olathe, Kansas
Well, there's @georged, but he will probably turn you down because he usually does high end pipes or those that have an interesting repair. He does not do meerschaum. Be sure to clarify what you are looking for. Do you want someone to repair a damaged pipe or pipe refurbisher to do basic work on your pipe, including some minor repair.

A number of guys have posted their skills under the Pipe Repair sticky. Be sure to select the entry under Kevin Godbee's name.
 

warren99

Lifer
Aug 16, 2010
2,379
27,888
California
@AJL67 and everyone, above--thanks for the great help.

Type of repair is a loose fitting stem. I got a birth year Dunhill from ebay that had something stuck on the tenon (clear fingernail polish maybe?). I didn't think before I acted, I simply scraped it off (should have asked myself why someone would put it there! LOL). Now the stem turn freely and falls out!

BTW--what's "ppl?"
Hope everyone here has great smoking and lots of smiles.
kindly
mike
You can always get the tenon replaced. Shouldn’t cost more than $25-30 plus postage. Tinsky does a good job and has a quick turnaround. I‘m pretty sure others like Tim West also do a good job.
 

spike

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 21, 2009
164
389
Briarville Ric, brother-in-law of the late Joe Case, does pipe repairs and restorations.
I believe Ric sold the business to another guy and that guy did a great job making a replacement acrylic stem for me on an old Caminetto Moustache brandy bowl.
 
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peteguy

Lifer
Jan 19, 2012
1,531
916
Beats me, I'm clueless what they'll charge (maybe $30 - $100 US?).
I mention this because some people have an expectation with repairs that does not equate to reality. If you choose a quick and cheaper fix, you will get that in return. It might not bother you, it might not bother me, but it bothers some. if your willing to pay a premium you will get that in return. Either way is ok, but be aware before jumping in and expecting a Showroom pipe returned to you for forty bucks.
 

Cyxelsid

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mark Tinsky does repairs.
Mark Tinsky just repaired a Savinelli for me. I haven't seen the repair yet, but I am hoping it is in my mailbox when I get home tomorrow from my trip to Zion. He was incredibly responsive via e-mail, worked quickly, and sent me a photo of the finished repair before shipping it. I give him 4 stars, site unseen... And will likely revise to 5 stars once I get to smoke my Savinelli again.
 

Cyxelsid

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mark Tinsky just repaired a Savinelli for me. I haven't seen the repair yet, but I am hoping it is in my mailbox when I get home tomorrow from my trip to Zion. He was incredibly responsive via e-mail, worked quickly, and sent me a photo of the finished repair before shipping it. I give him 4 stars, site unseen... And will likely revise to 5 stars once I get to smoke my Savinelli again.
Upgrade to 5 Stars complete! My pipe was ready and waiting when I got home, and smokes great!
20230814_095411.jpg
 
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