Widening an Estate Pipe Draft Hole

[realypk]

Hi guys, figure id share this with you. I got a steal of a deal on an polinski pipe and turns out its because the hole had some wood lodged in it thay was blocking some airflow i managed to get that out by just putting a drill bit in, but the airflow was still less than id prefer so it got me thinking. Why not just drill it a bit bigger carefully?

So thats exactly what i did using a t handle. It dramatically improved my ability to pull air just by going a little bit larger and has made the pipe far more enjoyable. Figured id share the process with you. I chose to make the hole .098 but advise starting at .086 and working your way up one by one as you could potentially make the hole bigger than you like. Using the t handle was virtual no effort at all and took seconds. Also this may be an extreamly good way to remove carbon and tar buildup if a pipe you really like has had its hole close up over time.

 

[warren]

That's how most folks ream a narrow hole. I usually just hold the bit with pliers. I don't have the fancy equipment.

 

[realypk]

Yea seeing as the hole is already drilled and your only going a little bigger its virtually no effort, could definitely see doing it with pliers or lock pliers. Thanks for your comment, I larned a new word I reamed a hole today lol.

 

[hauntedmyst]

I just use a drill and watch how deep I go. Makes quick work of it. Opening a mouthpiece is another matter. Do it a few times on some bits you pick up cheap on ebay to practice with because you will split them while learning.

 

[ashdigger]

I use a drill bit attached to a homemade handle. Works like a charm. My handle consists of epoxy, cloth, epoxy and epoxy. It even looks as bad as it sounds. But it works. That’s all I care about.

 

[OzPiper]

It should work just as well if you have a 100yo estate pipe that has never seen a pipe cleaner ever.
Sure saves on pipe cleaners, q-tips and alcohol. Not to mention time and curses ?

 

[realypk]

Yea thats what I was thinking, considering how easy it was it may be one of the best ways to clean a crusty one

 

[captpat]

If you have a bench vise put the drill bit in the vise and turn the stummel around it while inserting.

 

[Latakia Dave]

I open all of mine up to .156 ( 5/32) diameter. and I use a pin vise like in the picture.

 

[realypk]

Wow thats a lot bigger than the hole i made and minr already feels much more wide open. Do you have issues keeping it cool enough when its that wide open? I may have to try it on a cheapo pipe and see for myself. How big are openings on cheap cobb pipes?

 

[Latakia Dave]

Wow thats a lot bigger than the hole i made and minr already feels much more wide open. Do you have issues keeping it cool enough when its that wide open? I may have to try it on a cheapo pipe and see for myself. How big are openings on cheap cobb pipes?

No issues at all. Actually smokes cooler, because of the less restrictive draw. Lots of pipe makers use 5/32 draught/ draft holes in their pipes these days.

 

[peteguy]

They sell these in two sizes. I am very confident you can enlarge the draft if you would like. You can't go back though.

8deco Shank Reamer 4.0mm | Smokingpipes.com

<p>8deco shank reamers provide stylish options for those who favor vintage style with practical function.</p>

www.smokingpipes.com

 

[trouttimes]

I like my draft holes in older pipes opened to 5/32. I also do that with a drill bit and a “T” handle.

 

[warren]

I also have an adjustable reamer, somewhere in my piles of stuff, which has a perfect sized bit with utile handle, perfect for reaming or removing a blockage. At my age I cannot remember the brand but, somewhere here will pop in with it.

 

[troutface]

I go 11/64, which is .171 or about 4.5mm. Lots of air flow !

 

[mike wheelock]

I have used an old tap and die handle that works great. It looks like a very large and interesting bowl. I have gotten hooked on Oom Paul pipes. There's no end in sight!

 

[kcghost]

I think that for most of us would really like a .156 draft hole. And if you don't go up to .171.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I never give it a thought.
I just smoke the thing.
Hey, it works. ?

 

[LudwigB88]

I’m curious about this topic. I recently got a Moretti pipe where it appears that when drilling the draft hole the top area of the hole splintered and created an upside down “V” shape at the top of the hole. I believe the hole into the shank is still round, it’s just the opening in the bowl that now has a bit extra opening in a wedge or upside down “V” at the top of what would ordinarily just be a circle. (I will attach an image.) Do you think this will affect the smoking by resulting in ash or bits of tobacco being drawn toward the hole anymore than if there wasn’t that extra splintering ? Just curious ?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Do you think this will affect the smoking

Nor at all.