Cutting a Stem - Video

For discussion of fitting and shaping stems, doing inlays, and any other stem-related topic.
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WCannoy
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Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by WCannoy »

So, I don't know how everyone else does it, but here's a condensed look at my process. I made this video as a bonus for my mailing list subscribers. I know I still need to post a video on slot work, but there's some included in this one.

LatakiaLover
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by LatakiaLover »

For the terminally curious, this is (I'm pretty sure) the saw blade used for the slot:

http://www.ottofrei.com/Mono-Tooth-Wax-Sawblade.html

They cut like a fiend, and never load like a file. :D
UFOs must be real. There's no other explanation for cats.
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WCannoy
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by WCannoy »

LatakiaLover wrote:For the terminally curious, this is (I'm pretty sure) the saw blade used for the slot:

http://www.ottofrei.com/Mono-Tooth-Wax-Sawblade.html

They cut like a fiend, and never load like a file. :D

That is what it looks like. Specificaly, mine is a Kemper K-31
http://www.creativecoldsnow.com/browse. ... 18564.html
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andrew
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by andrew »

Geez, I just use a jigsaw blade glued in a stick.....

That blade thingy is too fancy for me :)
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Ocelot55
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by Ocelot55 »

andrew wrote:Geez, I just use a jigsaw blade glued in a stick.....

That blade thingy is too fancy for me :)
I used to use the same thing. Walt let me know about those kemper tools and they are amazing! And cheap too!
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andrew
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by andrew »

Yeah, I just ordered a couple. Cheap is good!
caskwith
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by caskwith »

I use a modified hacksaw blade. I tried use the abrafile type blades mentioned here but I just found that that they wander too much and mean you have to widen the slot with files to neaten things up. Just my experience though.
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heri
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by heri »

nice video! What brand of files do you use please?
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UncleDraken
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by UncleDraken »

These videos are incredibly helpful for noobs like myself, Walt! I'll watch as many as you can put out!
Brent

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wdteipen
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by wdteipen »

Nice video but why not a tapered bit? Don't you get a step in the top and bottom of your airway where it meets the slot?
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birba
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by birba »

very cool!
wmolaw
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by wmolaw »

Great video! Thanks so much. Another question, though. Why do you drill your draught hole after turning the tenon down?

I am trying to embark into the arcane area of cutting my own stems and thank you much for your videos. I too have a Taig, so these are great for me.
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by pipedreamer »

Well done video. Enjoyed it Thanks.
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Red
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by Red »

Thanks, Walt.
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WCannoy
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by WCannoy »

wdteipen wrote:Nice video but why not a tapered bit? Don't you get a step in the top and bottom of your airway where it meets the slot?
No, between the file work and polishing the airway it ends up a fairly smooth transition. That's just the way I've always done it (before I knew there was such a thing as a tapered bit), and between the customer comments, and my own experience smoking my own work, I don't want to change my engineering. Here's a pic of a clear stem that I made. This was done probably almost ten years ago and I make the transition much smoother these days, but it will give you an idea anyway...

Image
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WCannoy
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by WCannoy »

wmolaw wrote:Great video! Thanks so much. Another question, though. Why do you drill your draught hole after turning the tenon down?
I dunno... Why not? I could lie and say that I flipped a coin!

I've done it both ways, depending on the day of the week and what color shirt I was wearing at the time, but it didn't seem to make a difference.

If anyone has a good argument for one method over the other, I'm not too old to learn something new!
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WCannoy
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by WCannoy »

heri wrote:nice video! What brand of files do you use please?
For the slot work, I use the Kemper K-31. There's a link in one of my comments above.

For shaping the stem and button, I just use a half-round bastard file with a safe edge ground on one side.
wmolaw
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by wmolaw »

WCannoy wrote:
wmolaw wrote:Great video! Thanks so much. Another question, though. Why do you drill your draught hole after turning the tenon down?
I dunno... Why not? I could lie and say that I flipped a coin!

I've done it both ways, depending on the day of the week and what color shirt I was wearing at the time, but it didn't seem to make a difference.

If anyone has a good argument for one method over the other, I'm not too old to learn something new!
I asked that as it just seems so much safer to drill a hole with a large volume of vulcanite to cushion/control the bit and drilling. With such a thin skin between the bit and the air, I would be concerned about heat expansion, bit movement, etc., etc.

Other than that, who knows.

I also ordered a couple of your files for the slot also. Thanks for the link!
Last edited by wmolaw on Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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WCannoy
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by WCannoy »

wmolaw wrote:
WCannoy wrote:
wmolaw wrote:Great video! Thanks so much. Another question, though. Why do you drill your draught hole after turning the tenon down?
I dunno... Why not? I could lie and say that I flipped a coin!

I've done it both ways, depending on the day of the week and what color shirt I was wearing at the time, but it didn't seem to make a difference.

If anyone has a good argument for one method over the other, I'm not too old to learn something new!
I asked that as it just seems so much safer to drill a hole with a large volume of vulcanite to cushion/control the bit and drilling. With such a thin skin between the bit and the air, I would be concerned about heat expansion, bit movement, etc., etc.

Other than that, who knows.
Valid concerns. I take very small bites with the drill bit and clear the chips often. I have not had a problem with it myself...
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5277a124
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Re: Cutting a Stem - Video

Post by 5277a124 »

Walt,

Great and informative video. Where did you get that small cylindrical dremel bit that you were using where the stem slopes up toward the shank?

Thanks,

Jeff
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