pipemakersforum.com

Fit and finish look nice. The shank appears to have a slight reverse taper. It's possible that it's an optical illusion caused by not tapering it at all. You should taper it by at least a degree or so. I'd also add a curve to the shank so the shape flows a bit more. Straight shanks on bent pipes ten...

The most notable area for improvement that I see is the shank. It thins out a bit too much and pinches in between the bowl and the stem. The stem could stand to have more material taken off. I like the rustication but I think you should have rusticated the entire pipe since the grain is not all that...

Once again, a terrible replication, George. Your work is far superior than the original. You sure you're not a pipemaker?

Very nice!

IAWG, even more can come off the underside. Don't be skeerd.

Oh, painting the roses red
And many a tear we shed
Because we know
They'll cease to grow
In fact they'll soon be dead

Like seamonster, I face it on the lathe using pin gauges. Pretty quick and easy. I prefer to use a Delrin sleeve as a mortise unless using really small bamboo simply because bamboo is very absorbent and I've seen countless high end bamboo pipes with super loose stems.

Here is an alternative that I think is a nice compromise between what Sas is saying and your goal of keeping the proportions of the pipe so that it doesn't look like a magnum pipe. Removing or undercutting the bottom side of the stem gives it a more graceful appearance while maintaining the overall ...

The stummel part of the pipe looks pretty nice. Practice your stemwork and you'd have a winner. It takes time and repetition. I also think the pipe would look better with a longer stem for a more balanced overall composition.

I use a laser level and drill bit in the airway the same as you do for the same reason on bent pipes where I know I'm close. Should have known I wasn't the only one.

Looks like a solid design to me.

I probably have at least 200 blocks on hand. I buy a small amount every year and let them season in my shop for at least three years. I am just a hobbiest pipemaker. I like having a good stock so I can let the block determine the shape as opposed to me trying to force a shape out of a block.

Briar is more dense than two by lumber so it sounds like your airway bit is wandering. You can try what Seamonster recommends or get a center drill to get the airway direction started on center and take small bites then clear the drill bit flutes.

We should never stop growing. I still have a lot to learn and improve in pipemaking as well. Pipemaking should be a relentless pursuit of perfection, IMHO. There are always things I wish to change and improve in the pipes I make. You can clearly see the progression of gradual improvement from year t...

Looks very prince-like to me. The prince shape is typically a short apple shape with a skinny shank, long flared stem, and straight or sometimes slightly bent stem. It is a very graceful, almost feminine shape. I think you got the shape relatively within the acceptable tolerances to firmly call it a...

And for the love of Pete, rough up the stainless steel surface before glueing.

You could line it with stainless steel or Delrin. I think either would be better than the material of most exotic extension materials as they are either toxic or prone to split with the moisture of smoking.

Cool concept. Your work is progressing quickly it appears. The second is the better of the two in fit and finish. I really like the shape of the first one.

For the record, I think the translation is going pretty well. I understand most of what you write.

There are some who have mastered this. I am not one of them. Outside of reinforcing a super thin, long shank, I don't see the benefit such that it warrants all the fuss.

Sasquatch........as always exhaustive. Truer words are seldom spoken. :lol: It seemed to me or you are very partial to each other. :D :D :D Yes. Since the Chicago PIpe Show was cancelled, I have to bust Sas's chops virtually when I can. Opportunities like this one don't come around too often. Low h...