When and When NOT to "Do It Yourself" (a cautionary tale)

[georged]

Dan has the art of sarcasm perfected.

Ah. Tough to be sure in print, and I came down pretty hard on the wannabee airway opener. T'was wondering if I needed to start being more watchful while checking my mailbox. :lol:

Believe it or not, these pipemakers actually had more than a clue about how to make a pipe, and their products don't need "improving".

While true 99% of the time, human nature and the pressures of mass production did allow some pretty embarrassing stuff out the door occasionally. (I once saw a Charatan Supreme Canadian that was so mis-drilled that the airway cut a groove in the wall of the mortise that was half the airway's diameter deep, like so: 8O )

 

[piffyr]

I'll admit that whenever I hear of someone deciding to "improve" a fine old piece of Brit wood by opening up the airway I have to suppress the urge to break both of the idiot's arms and amputate his dangling slobber covered hands.

My sentiments as well (though perhaps with a little less violence). Most wouldn't think of modifying the external shape of a classic pipe, but somehow modifying the internals has become de rigueur. It's something that's done far too often, in my opinion, and with far too little disclosure on the resale market. A pipe is more than just a pretty face. When internal modifications are made to a pipe, it's no longer original nor does it adhere to the maker's original intent. Of course, this is notwithstanding an example like George's Charatan above, but that's more error than intent. I'm fine with repairs and error corrections. It's unnecessary "improvements" that I have a beef with.

 

[paddypiper]

So does that mean using a hammer and chisel isn't the right way to remove excessive cake from an estate pipe?

 

[fitzy]

:crazy:

 

[warren]

Totally depends on the cake, the size of the hammer and chisel, and, how deft the touch of the tool handler.

 

[georged]

Totally depends on the cake, the size of the hammer and chisel, and, how deft the touch of the tool handler.

Sounds like a snarky answer, but it's true. All that matters is the final result, not how "logically" it was obtained. Sometimes techniques that work well are both counterintuitive and surprising.
For example, I put sandblasted stummels with heavy rim lava in the same box that I keep my army of little flea-sized aliens (captured years ago when they landed in my back yard wanting to take over the Earth), and I tell 'em if they remove it with their tiny blaster-lasers I'll let them watch the old Twilight Zone episode "To Serve Man" a few times. Keeps their spirits up, and they do quite a nice job.
But, so far, no one has even come close to guessing that's a good way to do it.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Oh, so we send you a pipe to repair and it ends up being the subject of a post? Ha ha!

Same reason I don't go see the urologist. I don't want my "pipe" ending up the subject of doctor jokes on an MD forum out there somewhere.

Basically, feel free to do whatever you want with your pipes, but don't try to re-sale it. This is exactly why I grind the nomenclature off of the pipes when I get them. ::

 

[warren]

Wasn't meant to be snarky. It's always a combination of the right tool being handled by a knowledgeable workman/artist. Sometimes, in a pinch, the "wrong" tool can be used for a job if it's handled correctly. It really is more about the craftsman and his imagination than the tool in some situations.
I needed to shape a bit of metal one time. The horn on my vice wasn't right. A small screwdriver had just the right shank size and taper. Awkward? Sure. Solution? Sure was.

 

[georged]

Wasn't meant to be snarky.

Indeed. How I SHOULD have phrased it was, "In case anyone THINKS Warren is being a smartass, he isn't. What he said is exactly the case."

 

[warren]

You know me way too well George. And, you did give me the benefit of the doubt which I do not deserve.

 

[woodsroad]

OK, I don't know this pipe from Adam, but I am looking forward to seeing the restoration. What you do amazes me. Your level of attention to detail, and knowledge of working with disparate materials is very impressive. Always a pleasure to see the outcome of your efforts.

 

[ssjones]

George, how about some updates on this pipe? I've heard it's back to fine health.

 

[mso489]

Very few of us need to be master craftsmen pipe repair and renovation people. But if you want to take your turn at rehabbing pipes, there is a world of good old ordinary factory pipes that can use some serious work, to then become wonderful smokers into the next century. Leave the hand made Ferndowns and Beckers to the experts, unless you are an expert, and fix up a few dozen low-end Petes, Savs, Dr. Grabows, BC's, and others, so they can live again.