You did what to a what with a what?

[NE Pipeteer]

Hello All,

It was bound to happen: I finally got a Ropp cherry wood branch with an auction and no, that was not the pipe in the lot I wanted. Anyway, the old Cherry was kind of cute. I felt obliged to give her a little bit of love. A little bowl reaming followed by the old Murphy's oil soap with a toothbrush routine and the obligatory removal of the electrician tape in front of the mouthpiece revealed a - dramatic pause - a cracked shank. Who saw that one coming? Hmm, how much obligation do I really have for this old girl? I mean, we just met...
Well, lets see how bad the crack is. Hmm, half an inch. Internet search for a ring shows that the Vermont Freehand boys are going to be in Las Vegas for a few days and this old Cherry needs a doctor "stat". What else could I use. Hey, what is that old .357 cartridge doing in my pipe cleaning tool box? The caliper says that .375 would require a whole bunch of file work and sanding to make a ring. Hmm, last time I checked a .44 Mag case is wider than a .357. Wheels turning, let's visit the reloading bench. Sure enough, a .44 is bigger than a .375 and would only require a little bit of filing and sanding. Hmm, now all I need is a son-in-law who is a plumber with a pipe cutter. Oh yeah, he'll be home at 4:30. Snippity snap I have a .44 cal, I mean a brass ring for the patient. Doctor, I think she is going to pull through.

I hope you had as much fun reading as I did restoring this old Cherry. And for the record, she smokes pretty well.

From south east NE,
John

 

[Ahi Ka]

I think this might be the first time I’ve seen a cherry wood pipe with a metal band on it. I actually really like it. Good job

 

[canucklehead]

Looks good!

 

[trudger]

Nicely done, hope it serves you well!

 

[captpat]

Nice work, now enjoy it.

 

[Hillcrest]

Hello All,

It was bound to happen: I finally got a Ropp cherry wood branch with an auction and no, that was not the pipe in the lot I wanted. Anyway, the old Cherry was kind of cute. I felt obliged to give her a little bit of love. A little bowl reaming followed by the old Murphy's oil soap with a toothbrush routine and the obligatory removal of the electrician tape in front of the mouthpiece revealed a - dramatic pause - a cracked shank. Who saw that one coming? Hmm, how much obligation do I really have for this old girl? I mean, we just met...
Well, lets see how bad the crack is. Hmm, half an inch. Internet search for a ring shows that the Vermont Freehand boys are going to be in Las Vegas for a few days and this old Cherry needs a doctor "stat". What else could I use. Hey, what is that old .357 cartridge doing in my pipe cleaning tool box? The caliper says that .375 would require a whole bunch of file work and sanding to make a ring. Hmm, last time I checked a .44 Mag case is wider than a .357. Wheels turning, let's visit the reloading bench. Sure enough, a .44 is bigger than a .375 and would only require a little bit of filing and sanding. Hmm, now all I need is a son-in-law who is a plumber with a pipe cutter. Oh yeah, he'll be home at 4:30. Snippity snap I have a .44 cal, I mean a brass ring for the patient. Doctor, I think she is going to pull through.

I hope you had as much fun reading as I did restoring this old Cherry. And for the record, she smokes pretty well.

From south east NE,
John

Good Job ! How do you tighten it around the shank or do you glue/afix it on with something ? I hve always wondered this. Thanks !

 

[Chaukisch]

Bautiful, I always appreciated the poker shape and natural bark showing on the outside. That metal band gives it something really... good. I don't know, it just fits in.

 

[verporchting]

The question you gotta ask yourself is, do I feel lucky? Well, pipe, do ya? Do you feel lucky?

 

[NE Pipeteer]

Good Job ! How do you tighten it around the shank or do you glue/afix it on with something ? I hve always wondered this. Thanks !

I just white glued that one on.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Good Job ! How do you tighten it around the shank or do you glue/afix it on with something ? I hve always wondered this. Thanks !

If the size is precise enough, the band can be expanded with heat, pressed into place, and will grip tightly to the shank when cool.

 

[Hillcrest]

If the size is precise enough, the band can be expanded with heat, pressed into place, and will grip tightly to the shank when cool.

Thanks ! So ... I guess I should buy a variety of ammo ... in case my pipe shanks break ! ...

I asked because I have a Pioneer meerschaum that has had a small hairline surface crack alongside the tenon; it came that way new and hasn't gotten any bigger with use though. Maybe someday it might need repair but i have always handled it so as not to add stress that area.

 

[NE Pipeteer]

Good Job ! How do you tighten it around the shank or do you glue/afix it on with something ? I hve always wondered this. Thanks !

Thanks ! So ... I guess I should buy a variety of ammo ... in case my pipe shanks break ! ...

I asked because I have a Pioneer meerschaum that has had a small hairline surface crack alongside the tenon; it came that way new and hasn't gotten any bigger with use though. Maybe someday it might need repair but i have always handled it so as not to add stress that area.

Well, I would hate to have you go out and purchase several different calibers of ammo without have a firearm for each type. I realize that this could quickly become less cost efficient than dealing with the VermontFreehand guys. Although, preparing for the zombie apocalypse and having an extensive range of ammo/bands will get you some serious adapt or die cred. I'm just sayin.

 

[NE Pipeteer]

Bautiful, I always appreciated the poker shape and natural bark showing on the outside. That metal band gives it something really... good. I don't know, it just fits in.

Too bad the "W-W Super Mag Rem 44." is on the bottom of the case not stamped on the side. That would make it a bit more cool.

 

[mso489]

Two wonderful things, a restored Ropp pipe with a fancy band with a story behind it, and a son-in-law who will never be unemployed. Go for the trifecta, whatever it may be.

 

[NE Pipeteer]

I thought the trifecta was getting to smoke the old girl, heh.

 

[Reggie]

Very nice and intuitive repair!

 

[Chaukisch]

Too bad the "W-W Super Mag Rem 44." is on the bottom of the case not stamped on the side. That would make it a bit more cool.

Definitely, but the brass alone does quite a good job. I also like how it looks when it's slightly oxidized and a little roughed up, it would fit the already very rustic look of your pipe I think. Anyway, it's a beaut!