A Request

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 11:12 am

If I understand whats I've read thus far, the stem inset ring essentially has a tennon on both sides, correct? Would anyone here be able to carve (or shape as the cas may be) a stem insert ring? I'm working on a pipe, (an neat interpritation of the Seahorse by Nordh), and would like to do a stem insert. I'm thinking about using sea coral, if I can find the right shade. I have a few stems, and feel pretty confident I can cut the mortise into one, but really don't have access to a lathe. Morover, I don't have any raw vulcanite to carve the insert from.

I'm willing to pay for the piece, as well as shipping.

Thanks,

Nick

Post by **Tyler** » Fri Apr 23, 2004 9:50 pm

Nick,

I'm not sure I understand your request. You want to do a stem inlay, and are wanting to pay for what part of the process?

Tyler

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 11:03 pm

Well, maybe I'm not understanding exactly how the insert thing is done. As I understand, the insert piece has two tennons, one for the stem and another for the stummel. The inlaid wood or other decoration is then glued onto this piece. Is that correct?

Post by **Tyler** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 11:36 pm

If I understand correctly, you are asking how to do a stem inlay (perhaps not the correct techincal term) If so, all you do is turn an exta-long tenon that you can epoxy a ring of your inlay material on. Often, after the inlay material, you also do a thin ring of vulcanite to finish the look. (This process is illustrated in some of the stem-making videos on this site.)

There is only one tenon, but it is long enough for the ring and then inserts into the mortise. The only caveat to this is that some makers like to make the tenon of a larger diameter in the area that the ring is glued on.

Did I answer your question?

Tyler

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 4:49 am

OHH!OK. I get it. Yes, you did answer my question.

Thanks Tyler