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Quick question here. What do you all sand to, grit wize? I've been going to 2000 grit, and am pretty happy with it, but I just wonder if there isn't a finer grit I could be using? Additionally, how long do you all spend per grit? For example, I seem to spend a good deal of time at the 150 grit, get...

How does one go about putting a new stem on a pipe without sanding away too much of the shank? Is it as simple as simply sanding it down to the right shape/size while not attached to the pipe? Or is there some trick I'm missing? I've thought about putting tape around the shank at the end of the pro...

Thanks Jim! Pretty cool. Still want to see Todd slugging away though. It's not too likely Nick. The last photo essay I did was a black hole for my time that turned into a total fiasco. It took Tyler to get it straightened out and be able to actually send the files. Maybe once I know of a better met...

random wrote:Todd, do you use a flat wheel or a convex wheel?

Flat. Convex would serve no purpose for me as I use only the edge for shaping. For finer sanding (220) I use a felt backed flexible disk that I often put my fingers behind to make it conform to a certain contour.

Todd

My advice would be to bite the bullet, become a "sheep" and produce a few pipes that correspond to the public's general perception of what a pipe should look like. Later on you can be idealistic and make wild creations that scarcely resemble pipes. Best, Todd Random et all, I didn't mean ...

Random, I think personality, a demonstration of sound knowledge about pipes, and the ability to demonstrate consistency are all very important factors. Buying a pipe without ever having held it, without ever having owned the brand, and without a reliable reference from someone who does own the brand...

whitebar wrote:I just saw his computer and he uses a Mac. Smart Guy!

Yes, and it was a gift from a customer!! Like Tom says himself, "It's good to be a pipemaker!"

Todd

If you happen to be watching Tom sand the lab stain off of those bamboo pieces right now, you're witnessing some of his real genius. It's taken me 3 years to get even moderately adept at this process. You'll notice the towel, which is really the key to his golden contrast finish. He constantly wipes...

hi todd i have been following your work for about 3 years on your web site just curious what you use to shape your pipes with. alot of people have explained what they use. random seems to like the foredom tool. tyler seems to like the sanding disk. alot of people like the belt sander and some peopl...

The fates will have their way regardless of our desires, and we will become better for it. Random, I dont mean to stir up controversy here, but if this is your mentality, don't expect to sell pipes. Selling pipes can take effort. I realize that your contacts in the pipe communty are somewhat limite...

Is there a way to test if a sand pit on the shank is going to be a leaker? Smoke it? :wink: You can try pressing the palm of your hand tightly over the bowl and sucking air through the stem end of the shank. If it creates a vaccum and holds it, then you don't have a pit going through to the draft h...

Hey Guys, Six years on at this thing and certain memories start to fade, like what were the most frustrating and difficult aspects of your early forays into pipemaking. So, this is the question I put to you. What sorts of things do you find particularly difficult to master? Do you have sourcing issu...

Or do you have any? Or if you do, do you know precisely what they are? I'm curious on a number of levels what amateur carvers are aspiring to. Are you content making pipes to smoke yourself and give as gifts? Are you interested in becoming a full time pipemaker? Would you like for pipemaking to be a...

After you stop drooling at that birdseye, take a deep look. The surface is not regular! The birdseye seems to add some texture. My guess is different density fibres absorbs moisture at different rates, and even when exposed to temperature changes, it expands or contracts at an uneven rate, too. Actu...