Worst Block Ever

For discussion of the drilling and shaping of the stummel.
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RadDavis
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Worst Block Ever

Post by RadDavis »

I started drilling a stummel today:

Image

Image

Didn't look at all bad on the outside. There was a flaw on the top of the shank near the bowl, but it was way on the outside, and I figured it would disappear when I cut the shank. I drilled the smoke hole and swiveled it to drill the bowl. A couple of "minor flaws" showed themselves:

Image

So I decided to so some sawing on it to see just how bad this sucker was:

Front half (that's the back half to you, Tyler):

Image

Back half (that's the front half to you, Tyler):

Image

Since the back half was the worst, I sawed it in half right down the smoke hole:

Image

Image

I've never seen a block this bad before. I'm glad I don't shape before drilling. :lol:

Although I'm pretty sure I would have run into some part of this during shaping.

Rad
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SimeonTurner
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by SimeonTurner »

Ha!

You have offended the briar gods, Rad. They are angry with you, and require a sacrifice. I hope you have some virgins handy...
"It is noble to be good; it is still nobler to teach others to be good - and less trouble."

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Alden
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by Alden »

Wow. Thats a pretty good one :D
LAH
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by LAH »

All natural Calabash.

Abe
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Sasquatch
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by Sasquatch »

LOL that's ugly!
ALL YOUR PIPE ARE BELONG TO US!
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Nate
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by Nate »

Now that's impressive! Just goes to show, you shouldn't grow your own! :D
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Growley
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by Growley »

There are probably a hundred witty things I could say, but I think I'm too in shock. :shock: That block is crazy, doesn't even look like briar.
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Ocelot55
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by Ocelot55 »

:jawdrop:
OregonCustom
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by OregonCustom »

I had one the other day I tossed. Realized the little spot I saw while shaping the outside grew to an ugly hole on the inside after drilling.
Not sure I want my hobby to turn into my job largely because I grow to hate my job....
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Carlos
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by Carlos »

Good pictures! These will help guys like me who have no idea what some of you makers put up with.
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TRS
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by TRS »

Those are just scratches. Sand a little more carefully and they'll come right out.
e Markle
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by e Markle »

You're getting better with every pipe Rad!

Hope this helps.
wdteipen
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by wdteipen »

I'm going to stop complaining about all the little flaws I'm running into in my chambers lately.
Wayne Teipen
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SchmidtN
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by SchmidtN »

Nothing a little bondo wont fix.
Hello, I'm #1312.
That's a really big number.
JMG
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by JMG »

RadDavis wrote:
Image

Rad
That block looks familiar...

Image
"No reserves, no retreats, no regrets"

"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
caskwith
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by caskwith »

I just thought you filled holes like that Rad? ;)
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KurtHuhn
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by KurtHuhn »

Impressive! I haven't seen one that bad in a long time. You're pretty much obligated at that point to slice it up and use it on the grill. :D
Kurt Huhn
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Tyler
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by Tyler »

Thank you for clarifying which sides you had trouble with. :thumbsup:

The most shocking thing to me is how normal the outside of that block looks, by comparison.
caskwith
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by caskwith »

Oddly enough I have just cut into a bad block also, couple of small spots on the outside but inside it was like swiss cheese, I think it may still be smokable as none of the flaws go through to the shank or airway but it certainly going in the shop pipe pile :(
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RadDavis
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Re: Worst Block Ever

Post by RadDavis »

Tyler wrote:Thank you for clarifying which sides you had trouble with. :thumbsup:

The most shocking thing to me is how normal the outside of that block looks, by comparison.
I know! Usually there's at least some clue. There was a very small flaw on the top of the bowl, but it was centered enough that the bowl drilling would get rid of it. That and the flaw on the outside edge of the shank were the only bad spots on the outside.

I guess I just got lucky with the shape placement in the block. :lol:

Rad
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