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Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 7:24 pm
by mejoshee
I suppose you could look at selecting a briar block in two ways: Pick a shape you want to make, then find a suitable block among your stash. Or, pick a block, go at it a little and see what speaks to you.

I'd up until now done it mostly the 1st way, usually choosing something that makes sense for what I "feel like" making. But, I have a couple awesomely large blocks that would like to become pipes eventually. I don't have a home for them yet and I don't have a particular shape in mind. One is a half-moon, the other a very large almost 4" wide giant; both plateaux blocks.

Say what you will about drill-first or shape-first, but what's a good way to be inspired for random blocks without a clear shape goal in mind?

Re: Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 9:38 pm
by mightysmurf8201
For me, it depends on the shape. Right now my production revolves around 3 shapes, for the most part. My military pot I only do black rusticated so I can use any block. I do a Devil Anse smooth or rusticated, so I can plan to do either depending on what block I have available, or change it depending on what the block yeilds. Lastly I do a straight Dublin, only smooth and only straight grain. I've recently chosen to go with this system mainly so that I can focus on perfecting a select few shapes before branching out too much, but it also gives me the option to use any block at any particular time.

Re: Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 10:10 pm
by wdteipen
Most of the time I don't have a shape in mind when I start a pipe. I just sort through blocks and look at the grain to find the pipe. Once I find a block I'll rough some sketches on it to see what I can come up with and go from there. Sometimes it doesn't work out and I move on to another block.

Re: Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 10:34 pm
by Sasquatch
I draw the pipe I want to make, then go find a block to make it with, 90 percent of the time.

Occassionally I'll find a block that just says "make a ________ out of me" and I just go do that.

One of the things that you'll learn as you go is what kinds of shapes of blocks offer in terms of pipes that come out nicely.

That half moon will make a superb cutty, for example, and you'll throw out a TON of the block but who cares about that - get a great pipe out of it! The idea is not to maximixe the wood usage, but rather to pull the very best pipe you can get out of any particular block.

Re: Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 11:50 pm
by sandahlpipe
It depends on my mood how I choose a block. Most of the time, I have a shape drawn out and look for a block that has grain that will go well with my shape. Sometimes, when I'm looking through blocks, the grain will inspire me to make something unique.

Re: Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 11:54 pm
by kamkiel
Wait a second.... the briar you guys use has grain???

Re: Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 12:49 am
by andrew
No, we paint on the stripes like everyone else ;)

Re: Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 5:27 pm
by pipedreamer
I get dizzy at 200 lines drawn; But how else wood you get a Zebra pipe? :D

Re: Larger blocks & pipe shapes

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2015 12:46 am
by kamkiel
pipedreamer wrote:I get dizzy at 200 lines drawn; But how else wood you get a Zebra pipe? :D
I guess I am not as committed as the rest of you :(