Pipe progress

[Aaron]

I finally got some extra time today to do some cutting on a pipe and thought I'd share a bit.

First I picked out a piece of wood and sketched a rough outline for a pipe. I'm attempting a Lovat shape but I still never really know what I'll end up with when its all over with.


I got the block cut out and drew a few lines to help me lay things out a bit.


Next, I rough sanded the corners off shank on a disc sander and then chucked it up on my little lathe.


After a nice little battle getting things lined up good I went ahead and started cutting down the shank.


Here I'll stop and start fitting the stem to it tomorrow. After I get the stem attached and the airway drilled I'll be able to rotate the block and start shaping the bowl section.


Thanks for looking!

Aaron

 

[Steve2md]

Looks good. You're on the right track! here's one that I did last winter


I used the lathe for the stem, the rest was a pocket knife.

 

[johnlee1933]

Good looking job Aaron. I have a Smithy combination lathe/miller w/ both three and four jaw chucks. I also have some aged cherry that might work as blanks. Who knows, when it gets too cold to be outside I might give it a go. I am not an avid pipe smoker but might like the challenge. Where do you buy your stems?

John

 

[Aaron]

Good looking job Aaron. I have a Smithy combination lathe/miller w/ both three and four jaw chucks. I also have some aged cherry that might work as blanks. Who knows, when it gets too cold to be outside I might give it a go. I am not an avid pipe smoker but might like the challenge. Where do you buy your stems?

John

I use pen blanks for my stems, either acrylic or ebonite. I get my acrylics from www.beartoothwoods.com and www.exoticblanks.com carries acrylic and ebonite blanks.
Pipemaking can be a nice relaxing pass-time. You should give it a shot if you get the time. Cherry would make a pretty good pipe, especially if it already all dried out and stable.

 

[BarG]

What are the dimensions of the blank required to make your average pipe?

I have been wanting to add the four jaw to mine, My three jaw is to limited in what it will chuck.

 

[Aaron]

What are the dimensions of the blank required to make your average pipe?

I have been wanting to add the four jaw to mine, My three jaw is to limited in what it will chuck.

The pen blanks I use for the stem are 3/4" x 5" and work for most things I've tried so far. I'm looking into getting some 8" to 10" long blanks to try my hand at a churchwarden stem for one of my upcoming projects. For the wood, I'd say a good 2" wide, 2.5" tall, and 5" long would be suitable for most pipe shapes. The blocks I'm using now are about 1 5/8" wide so I'm a little limited on the width of what I can attempt at the moment.

 

[deluxestogie]

Aaron,
What fun, to follow along.

Bob

 

[Steve2md]

Tim, if you go with a 4 jaw, you may find it easier to turn pipes by removing 2 of the jaws.

 

[BarG]

I have a small variety of pen blanks already made up in round and square. Osage orange, white oak,cedar,pecan,and spalted hackberry and spalted white oak. Let me know if you want to try some. I could also send a blank of osage orange in the dimensions you have described. It is not heat treated but air dried for several years.

 

[Steve2md]

Osage is one of my favorite woods to play with. It has such a beautiful color and grain to it. I think I need to source a small log to cut some stocks for my 1911 pistol and my 6 shooter from. I have a little pipe stummel that I carved from it when I first started pipes around here somewhere. I'll have to start a "Home Made Pipe Pictures" thread

 

[BarG]

Steve , Pm with the size you need and I'll check my stock. I try to find someone each year to pass off a load of hardwood scraps,[ irregular size shapes and length pieces] as I have limited storage space. I can't bring myself to throw them away and my son in law still has a truckload in his garage and won't take anymore. I'm fall cleaning my shop now and am going to have to find someone who can use them. I may load up into boxs under 70 lbs and put on ebay for auction.

 

[Steve2md]

sweet, message sent. I wish the stuff grew here. It makes some of the best traditional wooden bows I have ever shot

 

[johnlee1933]

Cherry would make a pretty good pipe, especially if it already all dried out and stable.

It's been air drying for 2+ years. You think it might be suitable? The pieces are small enough there is no noticeable checking.

John

 

[johnlee1933]

What are the dimensions of the blank required to make your average pipe?

I have been wanting to add the four jaw to mine, My three jaw is to limited in what it will chuck.

Tim, look above. Aaron said 2x2.5x5 in his post. If you have a couple of pieces that size I would appreciate them. I could send you some cherry if you are interested.

John

 

[BarG]

I have one log section left about 8" dia.x 24" L It has a radial check all the way up one side to the pith. I may be able to get some pieces satifactory. I will split it there and see what I can get out of it and share the usable pieces. Everything else has already been milled to 1 1/2 " thick.

 

[Steve2md]

sounds like a plan

 

[Seanz]

Looking good there man, Cant wait to see the end result. Making a pipe is on my to do list and am actually talking to a guy down here who is selling is pipe making business, I cant afford the whole business but am keen on getting some briar off him and having a go at making some.

 

[SmokesAhoy]

Its growing all the way up here thanks to bigb's seeds, we shall see for how long though

sweet, message sent. I wish the stuff grew here. It makes some of the best traditional wooden bows I have ever shot

 

[Aaron]

Well crud, I had intended to work on the stem last night. I went out to the garage to get started and couldn't find my spur center for the lathe. I can be a bit of a slob! That means it's time to clean the shop up a bit, which will take a couple days of spare time. I decided since I have to wait a bit to get started again I'd change my plans and order some Ebonite blanks to use instead of my acrylics. I think the ebonite makes a more comfortable bit compared to acrylic. I just hope it makes it here by the weekend.

 

[BarG]

Aaron , I'm heading to the post office today to send some osage pipe blanks ,pen blanks and one 11" x 1 5/8" x 7/8" osage orange. Leaf will be included. I know what you mean about shop cleaning.