Squishing the button end...

[Joe T]

So in all that I've read about stem making it seems that general practice is to drill a smaller hole in the button end of the stem to make it slimmer... Has anyone tried drilling one size of hole all the way through and heating the button end of the stem and 'squishing' it before shaping it? I realize this would make it difficult to bend once finished...

I'm thinking in terms of my churchwarden stems... when I drill them, the hole doesn't always end up on center, so I just drill the hole all the way through and shape the stem to compensate.

[sandahlpipe]

I suppose you could always give it a try, but I don't think it's gonna work very well. Ebonite isn't going to be as durable if you put enough pressure to flatten a hole in the end. Besides, it will end up looking ugly. It's much better to stick with the smaller drill and cutting a proper slot and funnel.

[caskwith]

Doesn't work. It has been tried many times, I think a few have been documented here. Don't waste your time you will just ruin rod stock.

[pipedreamer]

Waste of time! Drill with proper bits.Drill as far as you want both sides. They will meet if you set it up right and make sure the rod is straight.

[Joe T]

Hehe... sounds like a few people here have tried it.

Thanks guys, this is what I needed to know.