First Pipes. Bent Apple & Billiard. Cherry Wood

[Blakens]

http://s61.beta.photobucket.com/user/ha ... ood%20Pipe
http://s61.beta.photobucket.com/user/ha ... ood%20Pipe
Sorry, I can't quite figure out how to post the pics directly.
I made these from cherry because I didn't want to spend the money on briar and accidentally mess it up for my first pipes. I carved these with wood rasps. You can got through the pictures to see the process. I polished it on a ryobi bench grinder with these buffs (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h59/h ... Pipe/U.jpg). Let me know what you think. Be honest. How can I get better? I want to learn
I do have a some questions for experienced pipe makers. I have a really hard time getting a good finish. I know that ideally I would have a slower buffing set up, but what is your set up? What kind and size wheels (loose, sewn, etc)? What grit do you sand to before buffing? What is your whole finishing process? etc. Tell me how I can get a smoother, shinier, better finish. I plan on building some pipes for my groomsmen and would love any advice to make better pipes for them.
Thanks,
Blakens

[d.huber]

Hi Blakens and welcome to the forum.

Those both look totally fine for your first and second pipe. I'll give you the notes that everyone gets on their first and second, take off more material from the bottom of the bowl and around the bowl/shank junction, tighten up your stem/shank fit, and clean up your prefab stems.

All of your questions can be answered by doing a little searching on this forum. Dig deeper into "Finishing Techniques" to find many threads on buffing, including a great video by Chris Askwith which illustrates good buffing technique.

[Sasquatch]

Even good buffing won't give you a shine on fruitwoods - they are notoriously difficult to finish nicely. They soak up finish, exhibit all kinds of texture in the grain.... gotta coat those suckers with lacquer and then they look shitty. The buff/polish techniques spoken of around here will work on briar and stems.