The Slot Makes All The Difference

For discussion of fitting and shaping stems, doing inlays, and any other stem-related topic.
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clickklick
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The Slot Makes All The Difference

Post by clickklick »

In my starting journey into pipe making I have observed something important. A wide but short slot disperses the smoke along the palate in a way that takes the concentrated smoke from the tapered drilling and maximizes the flavor.

Two of my stems so far were made with wide and tall slots, this dilutes the taste, although the smoke hits the palate evenly and coolly, the taste is but a shadow of what it would be with a wide and short slot
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wdteipen
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Re: The Slot Makes All The Difference

Post by wdteipen »

A well cut slot, no matter how deep or wide will smoke equally well. The depth and width should vary slightly with the style of stem. A slot width in the ballpark of 3/8" seems pretty ideal. The depth will depend on how far back your stem is thin. A saddle stem will require a deeper slot than a taper. I tend to cut all my slots at least an inch deep but that's just me and on tapers it's not necessary to be that deep.
Wayne Teipen
Teipen Handmade Briar Pipes
http://www.teipenpipes.com
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PremalChheda
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Re: The Slot Makes All The Difference

Post by PremalChheda »

In my opinion, the only reason for the slot is so the mouthpiece can be made thin & comfortable, graceful, and still have strength. A straight hole all the way through at 1/8" or greater will still provide a very good smoke. The size of the slot really does not matter as long as it is opened enough so the volume that is needed gets through. However, if there is a pinching where the slot meets the airway, there is a good chance when someone uses a pipe cleaner, the juices get squeegeed back into the stem when it is pulled out.
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RDPowell
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Re: The Slot Makes All The Difference

Post by RDPowell »

PremalChheda wrote:In my opinion, the only reason for the slot is so the mouthpiece can be made thin & comfortable, graceful, and still have strength. A straight hole all the way through at 1/8" or greater will still provide a very good smoke. The size of the slot really does not matter as long as it is opened enough so the volume that is needed gets through. However, if there is a pinching where the slot meets the airway, there is a good chance when someone uses a pipe cleaner, the juices get squeegeed back into the stem when it is pulled out.
That's a real good point, I've never thought about the point where the air hole meets the slot and it might be pinching a bit.
I'll certainly look out for that and probably go back and check my stems I've already done. :wink:
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