Very Tight Stem - Difficult to Remove

[Singularis]

Just tried rubbing a light coating of pure beeswax on the tenon and that works brilliantly. Still fits tightly, but can be twisted off with relative ease. I think this will be my go-to method as long as I have pure beeswax in the house.

(Also, sure enough, chilling the pipe -- which for me meant putting it in my detached garage, which was sitting at about 25 degrees F -- made unscrewing the stem a cinch.)

I had thought of using very fine grit sandpaper, but was worried about doing something permanent that made it worse. Which is why I asked the forum.

 

[Singularis]

I beg to differ about the beeswax and prefer Harris' method.
It is a definite solution, beeswax is not and I resent squeaky noises .....
To each his own

Squeaky noises gone, as well, with the beeswax! I may have to reapply in the future, but that's not problem for me. It's a non-drastic, natural solution.

 

[jpmcwjr]

You did right!

Some use Chapstick in place of beeswax.

 

[sablebrush52]

I had thought of using very fine grit sandpaper, but was worried about doing something permanent that made it worse. Which is why I asked the forum.

Smart choice. Never ring a bell that you can't unring.

 

[kcghost]

Freezing, or using a pencil, or applying beeswax all work.

 

[Ksigel]

Stick the pipe in the freezer for a few hours to overnight. That should loosen the stem.

Yes. Works for me. I am a fledgling pipe restorer and got this tip from several of the guys who do really great work. Once it’s apart you can gently clean mortise and tenon.

 

[Ksigel]

Smart choice. Never ring a bell that you can't unring.

Amen! I have found a quick alcohol wipe of tenon and a shank brush do the trick.

 

[orlandofurioso]

As said; freeze the bitch ! It always worked for me no matter how stuck the stem.
I put them in a plastic ziplock bag because I do not wish to arouse the missus.
Lately forgot about one and the poor pipe was in the freezer for aprox. 48hrs. It gave me a quite a start.
To my utter relief there was no harm done. None whatsoever. It is a funny life, not ?

 

[jeffya2]

You did right!

Some use Chapstick in place of beeswax.

Works great & saved me a few bucks

 

[jiminy]

This is a timely thread. I also have a pipe with a tight stem, and was at a loss as to what to do. I will try the freezer trick, and then go from there.

 

[jiminy]

I should add that the pipe was an estate find, and it was fine when first started smoking it. It tightened up after a few bowls

 

[jpmcwjr]

Not unusual! Moisture from the smoke stream caused the briar to swell a fraction of an inch, tightening the grip by the stem.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Forgot to add: Moisture, while initially causing binding, will lubricate the mortise to a degree, so it comes out easier. Some use graphite or beeswax or mineral oil to boost that.

 

[robbie]

Funny enough, it also works on LOOSE stems. Beeswax is the BOMB!

I have a Sav churchwarden that leaks moisture from the shank tenon join. Do you think beeswax will cure this?

 

[jpmcwjr]

I have a Sav churchwarden that leaks moisture from the shank tenon join. Do you think beeswax will cure this?

Worth a try.... But I'd be more concerned about the amount of moisture generated.

 

[robbie]

Worth a try.... But I'd be more concerned about the amount of moisture generated.

How do you generate less moisture?

 

[bullet08]

I was gonna suggest spit on it and rubbing it good before shoving it in, but beeswax works well.

 

[jpmcwjr]

How do you generate less moisture?

Mostly by drying the tobacco more before loading. Not smoking where the humidity is high.

Enjoy!

 

[reasonable]

Stick the pipe in the freezer for a few hours to overnight. That should loosen the stem.

Would the opposite work? Sticking it in the oven to fix the loose stem on my MM bulldog.

 

[jpmcwjr]

No, that would be a bad idea!

First to try: wet the mortise and the tenon- ooooppss- that's for briar pipes.

For an MM, I'd try glue, and hope someone comes along soon who really knows a lot about cobs.