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That's the best name I could come up with "cheek of the Bowl".
How does one get it and, what I mean by that is what seems to be the easiest for you to get that definition
where the shank meets the bowl. I've been using a rat-tailed bastard (no not him) and it's name says it all
as far as I'm concerned. A real pain in the ass, so how do you do it if you wish to share?

Chainsaw files work great provided you did the majority of shaping on the wheel and just need to clean/define the transition.

NathanA wrote:Chainsaw files work great provided you did the majority of shaping on the wheel and just need to clean/define the transition.

Yeah, got one but, at this point of the game I'm not comfortable shaping that portion on the wheel. Too many scary things and cussing happens there.
But thank you just the same sir

Woodcraft has a set of needle rasps that work well and take material off much faster than files but they definitely leave you a lot of sanding to get rid of the tool marks.

NathanA wrote:Woodcraft has a set of needle rasps that work well and take material off much faster than files but they definitely leave you a lot of sanding to get rid of the tool marks.

Got me one of them in rat tail also. Reckon there's just no easier way then trying to shape it more on the wheel.

You can also use a Dremel bit, but it does take some practice.

sandahlpipe wrote:You can also use a Dremel bit, but it does take some practice.

Yeah, and I've used that too. I'll just stick with the Rat-tail I reckon.

I tend to use a 1" belt sander to get the rough line. A bit easier than the wheel but still removes material pretty fast.

Thanks guys but, as I feared I'm going to have to start testing my skills on the wheel more if I'm going to learn to do this a little quicker.

Use what you got. Ultimately, sandpaper rolled over something will even work.

PremalChheda wrote:Use what you got. Ultimately, sandpaper rolled over something will even work.

Yeah, it's probably the toughest part of the stummel for me to get right, the shank bowl transition and the cheek.
Doing that same thing right now Premal and slowly but, surely getting there. As much as I HATE sanding I have to
stop and wonder sometimes is it really worth it? Sometimes it seems to be way too much work to end up with a pipe
I can't even sell. Anyway, gotta get back to making turds, see ya when it's done.

I shape the cheeks with a 220 grit French wheel on a VFD. Works great. Very little if any hand filing required.

wdteipen wrote:I shape the cheeks with a 220 grit French wheel on a VFD. Works great. Very little if any hand filing required.

I'm going to have to make myself a French wheel, I'm sure it'll make my life a little easier when shaping.
Thank you Wayne

Wheel or belt, I also use a little 3/16" rasp for that, and folded/rolled up sandpaper or better yet cloth-backed papers.

Sasquatch wrote:Wheel or belt, I also use a little 3/16" rasp for that, and folded/rolled up sandpaper or better yet cloth-backed papers.

That's exactly what I used today, I found some old Norton cloth backed 180 hidden in the bottom of my sandpaper box and a dowel after using the rat-tail.
Also used a Dremel with a small drum sander attachment very lightly. Basically I used everything I had. I think I have it where it needs to be but, I'm sure you all will let me know if it aint.

Sanding pads from used/destroyed dog Kong Ball toys are great- they are flexible but firm, can be shaped, and even doubled.



Don't look at the cheeks on this one, it is still in process.
DocAitch