Search found 539 matches

by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:47 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

I know the posible differences, but you can't see them in the picture, and that's probably why no one has answered the question. I am just rolling the idea for the sake of discussion, so, that no stone is left unturned. Sorry, if I alienate someone, once in a while, things kind-of heat up a bit, and...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:00 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

There probably is a difference, but it isn't obvious in the pictures, The fact that you don't see the obvious differences is what's going to cause you problems in pipe making. You very much need to educate your eyes. You need to become visually literate. These things can be learned, and your eyes c...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:53 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

I'm not being sarcastic...but, "Bullshit." I'd like to stick to relevant information, not some bullshit little label you conjure up that means nothing. M.M. "shrug" Thanks, "Random" twin, that's all I needed to know. Enjoy the forum. If you can't take the heat, Frank, ...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:42 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

Frank wrote:...I'm not being sarcastic, I would just like to know.
No offense, I'm not being sarcastic...but, "Bullshit," I'd like to stick to relevant information, not some bullshit little list of labels you conjure up that mean nothing.
M.M.
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:25 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

Mike, if you can't see the difference between the Teddy stem and a Guidici 231, then that is going to be problematic for you, if you intend to be a professional pipe maker. Rad Okay, Rad, what is the difference? There probably is a difference, but it isn't obvious in the pictures, and if you read h...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:12 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

Mike , I mean no offence with my following remarks, it is meant purely constructively. Your resistance to see what the experienced pipemakers are saying is blinding you to the validity of their remarks. Perhaps it isn't obvious to you , but to the experienced eye your reworked Guidici still looks l...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:54 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

(Quote the above post) I'm not a hobbiest...more to follow... If I do anything, I am dead serious about it. I don't play. Sometimes I'm looking for information, or advivce, sometimes I'm looking for an open discussion, and sometimes I'm giving advice. Understand, I may be new to pipemaking, but I am...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:37 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

... but I think, if I am not mistaken, I am not the one who is pushing, here. M.M. You are mistaken. But still, your struggles with this new craft illustrates to other newbies how important it is to skip the excessive investigations and move on to the more creative and informative process of making...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:32 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

Mike, I'm not sure what you're trying to illustrate with the pics of your pipe and Teddy's. Are you trying to say that there's no difference between his stem and a Guidici 231? Rad Exactly, but still, I'm not pushing hard against your ideas about handmade stems, just trying to keep an open mind. M.M.
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 3:22 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

"The Way" is a principle in Taoism likened to the nature of water, finding the path of least resistance to the lowest point. M.M., you will have a difficult time trying to force water uphill. Note: looking at that last picture, you need to work on your stem/shank junctions. No doubt, the ...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:36 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

Giudici #231 Molded Ebonite Stem? http://home.windstream.net/messm/Pipes/TK%20-%20No%2022.jpg Giudici #231 Molded Ebonite Stem! http://home.windstream.net/messm/Pipes/Stick%20Pipe%203.jpg Note: The image TK - No 22.jpg is an exerpt for critical review or discussion from http://www.teddybriarpipes.dk...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:38 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

Also Todd's comment about the button is probably the consensus among pipemakers, collectors, and pipe smokers, but I personally, and especially for my own use, prefer a small, rounded, low-profile button. I have one with no button at all, and while it is not very dramatic visually, it is very comfo...
by Mike Messer
Sat Sep 12, 2009 12:16 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

My point was that if the molded tip is drastically modified, whether you like the new shape or not, it is just raw material. But despite what I said, I don't disagree with most of what all of you are saying about handmade stems, and I am aware of things like self-deception, compromises, excuses, etc...
by Mike Messer
Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:35 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Re:

ToddJohnson wrote:
Mike Messer wrote:Some people would think, if you use a molded stem, you didn't really make it.
And those people would be right.

TJ
_____Yes and no. See the image I just added to the post above____________
by Mike Messer
Fri Sep 11, 2009 4:58 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re:

Kurt, as a newly converted non-molded stem user, I find your comments are exactly right. I spend almost as much time, not quite, but almost, shaping a premolded stem into something that looks and feels like a good quality pipe stem. This includes re-boring, thining, reshaping the button, and then t...
by Mike Messer
Fri Sep 11, 2009 4:32 pm
Forum: Stem Work
Topic: Question About Ebonite Smell
Replies: 174
Views: 21310

Re: Question About Ebonite Smell

Okay I received my SEM order today, and tested a piece of their black ebonite rod, precicely, S.E.M. 1m x 20 mm dia., eboFORM, uni Black, Ebonite stave. Similar to Kurt's test result, when cut the SEM rod had a distinct burning rubber smell, but not too bad, and the smell subsided almost immediately...
by Mike Messer
Sun Aug 30, 2009 3:41 pm
Forum: Tools and Tooling
Topic: Heater For Stem Bending
Replies: 29
Views: 3317

Re: Heater For Stem Bending

jeff wrote:1. Finish stem completely.
2. Heat and bend with heat gun.
3. Lightly buff with white diamond
4. Sell pipe.
5. Make another pipe.
1. Sell the heat gun.
2. Use a straight stem.
3. Smoke the pipe. :lol:
by Mike Messer
Sun Aug 30, 2009 3:26 pm
Forum: Finishing Techniques
Topic: Wood Dye Source
Replies: 27
Views: 6831

Re: Wood Dye Source

Thanks, Rad, that does sound a lot easier than what I am doing.
M.M.
by Mike Messer
Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:57 pm
Forum: Finishing Techniques
Topic: Wood Dye Source
Replies: 27
Views: 6831

Re: Wood Dye Source

Both stainings look good, but the alcohol based looks slightly darker, perhaps a slightly deeper penetration. I did not measure the powder very well. I spread the ounce of dye powder on a piece of paper and divided it visually into eighths, and then used one-eighth in four ounces of water. Same wit...
by Mike Messer
Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:45 pm
Forum: Finishing Techniques
Topic: Wood Dye Source
Replies: 27
Views: 6831

Re: Wood Dye Source

Out of curiosity, why do you sand with 1000, 1500, 2000 and 4/0 Emery paper? I'm almost certain my hands are rougher than 2000 grit! Kurt is correct, staining at 2000 grit will not produce the desired result. I go on up to 2000 and 4/0 to get a smoother, glassy, mirror finish when the pipe is later...