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Thanks fellas! :thumbsup: I'm still gettin a feel for the infant stage processes. @ Mike; I've tried the coping saw, I think mine is better suited for things like... butter! And as you said, blade wander is horrid with that thing. Thanks! @ Kurt; Another good point, it sucks being an indecisive as t...

My apologies then for asking yet another stupid question. I was just noticing that it SEEMS that it would be easier to follow the initial layout with the bandsaw, and given the experience of the makers here on the board, I was hoping someone would elaborate the down side of the bandsaw or point out ...

I've noticed a few different ways to get the rough shaping started on here, just wondering if my thinking is correct here; 1) square the block 2) draw the pipe on the side of the block 3) cut the basic outline through the width of the block with the bandsaw I've read posts that likewise spoke ill of...

Very nice
It's kinda like a zulu/horn/saxophone (as you said)

In that case I'm interested as well

pimopipecraft.com
jhlowe.com

Those two sites will have everything from briar, to bits and finishing products. As a noob myself, those sites, eBay, Home Depot and the flea market have supplied all my needs thus far.

Like any hobby, it's no fun until you've had to clean your own blood from a piece you're working on or the tool you're working with. I can honestly say I've never worked on a vehicle (minus typical PM) that I haven't bled on. Just comes with the territory :) Hence the reason our failed shop was name...

For trimming the excess off of a block before rough shaping, I use a hacksaw until I can get my hands on a bandsaw. On close parting cuts, I mount the saw in the vise and work the block SLOWLY along the blade. Just last night I got in a hurry with a trim cut, block slipped, middle finger ripped to t...

PIMO has their "bargain bin" briar, 1 small 1 medium and 1 large ebauchon block, $15 for all 3. I think you have to call to check availability, they are "seconds," but some briar is better than none.

I just realized Sas was responding to your first post (I referenced that in your second :oops: ) Check on the price of a variable speed buffer/grinder first, may still be cheaper to add a rheostat. As far as wiring it, should be fairly simple and a good "first project" for modifying power ...

Yes. There are a few ways to choose from. As Todd (Sasquatch) pointed out in an earlier post today, you can get a rheostat type switch thingermabob (speaking technically of course ;) ) that basically varies voltage allowing different motor speeds or find/make a work arbor and add step pulleys. It lo...

Point taken, thank you Bruce. Those observations are basically just what I've observed thus far. I hope that in due time I'll be able to do such things, for now it's all baby steps. So I'll keep my less than adequate comments in the play pen until I'm past this stage, better to keep my mouth shut an...

I have very little experience to go on, but I've purchased some "practice grade" briar with beautiful grain, and some "one step up" grade, while some of it was better, some were disappointong. None the less, the best looking briar in my shop right now is also the cheapest ;) and ...

Just some "newbie thoughts," I see what Charl means about the stem, just a shot in the dark here, but the slit in the end being widened a wee bit, thinning the bit a bit more would go a long way IMO, but, I'm the village idiot so I could be completely wrong. The overstain, could be just th...

First off, thank you for such a useful and detailed post! Between this one and the Kurt's photo essay, countless questions are answered and infinite detail dispersed. Making hand made stems a reality for the masses :thumbsup: Question; the 1/8" bit to be ground to a taper in efforts to avoid th...

So Todd, at the level you rank yourself as a serious hobbyist, have you given thought to starting yourself a website? I have no idea how many pipes you pump out, but I'd be willing to bet it's enough to keep fans browsing through for your latest piece. Just a curiosity, because I know I've often lin...

Glad you like the delrin, from what most say it opens a lot of doors on stem work and makes stem rings a viable option.
The explanation on pre-mold stems was just another option aside from attempting to turn them yourself.
Enjoy

Thanks guys! My apologies Tyler for being wrong, yet again. I just assumed that for a round stem with square stock, most would use the lathe for the rounding. Guess that what I get for making assumptions Back to studying yet again, at least this is a subject I like :) I'm planning to order a few rou...

I searched pipedia and on other various sites looking for black lucite rod. Found it at delvies plastics (via the pipedia suggestion) My question is this; for a first attempt at making my own stems, would it be wise to go with J.H. Lowes vulcanite rod stock? I have no lathe, so square stock is prett...

Well thank you Todd!
Makes me feel better about the situation. I used the alcohol lamp method on lucite stems, haven't got my paws on any bakelite, yet