On filing out the stem slot

[Walldepartment]

Is filing the stem slot all that needs to be done, or should the inside also be sanded out?

[wdteipen]

The inside should be sanded and polished.

Hope this helps.

[Walldepartment]

I've never heard of polishing it. How do you do that?

[wisemanpipes]

put a pipe cleaner in a drill spinning vise like thingy. ie. chuck or drill chuck or drillpress. then rub Tripoli on it, then put it in ur stem slot
shiny

[wdteipen]

Pipe cleaner and buffing compound.

[Walldepartment]

I had no idea. Thanks.

[andrew]

Just so you have a reason for doing this... you polish the inside for two reasons:

1. A polished stem is easier to clean (on the inside)
2. Less air turbulence

I'm sure there are other legitimate reasons, but those are mine.

[Walldepartment]

What do you guys use to sand out the slot?

[d.huber]

What do you guys use to sand out the slot?

Wale bone.












I mean sanding cord.

[wdteipen]

I use a 1/16" medium cut round file then small pieces of folded sandpaper starting with 220 (will varying depending on the tool marks remaining but my file isn't too aggressive) up to 800 grit before polish. I sand the tapered drill side while it's spinning in the lathe just after drilling with sandpaper wrapped around a long 1/16" drill bit. If your taper bits are sharp you should be able to start sanding at around 320 or 400 grit.