Another zulu

[kamkiel]

I tried a cumberland stem on this pipe, but I don't like it. I lack the ability to plan ahead as far as color and stem material, but I feel like I am just going to abandon cumberland all together. I actually was excited that I finally had a piece of wood with some descent grain for once, and feel that I ruined it by using a stem material that I hadn't used before. Oh well... critiques are welcome as always.

Thanks
Kiel

[wdteipen]

That looks pretty good to me. The only suggestions I would make are to slim the shank and stem down a bit and put a slight taper on the sides of the stem to the button. As it is it looks like it widens to the bit even though it probably doesn't.

[kamkiel]

Thanks Wayne. I have been using 8mm delrin on these stems and it feels like it locks me up when it comes to the thinness of the stem and shank. I will have to start doing a better Pre-planning job on these smaller pipes and start weaning myself off delrin tenons.

Kiel

[Sasquatch]

Yeah, oval shank means get your tenon to 1/4" or below, and have the shank be 3/8" thick top to bottom and 1/2" thick or pushing 5/8" across. Get rid of that material to make an elegant pipe. Shaping is okay but you gotta get rid of the extra meat on these puppies.

[kamkiel]

Yeah, oval shank means get your tenon to 1/4" or below, and have the shank be 3/8" thick top to bottom and 1/2" thick or pushing 5/8" across. Get rid of that material to make an elegant pipe. Shaping is okay but you gotta get rid of the extra meat on these puppies.

Noted. Thanks. What is a recommended mortise depth on a 1/4in tenon?

Kiel

[Sasquatch]

I tend to make them long and looser fitting, 3/4"+. Of course, on that zulu shape you might find a limitation because of needing an angle on the airway, I'm not sure...

[kamkiel]

Excellent! Appreciate the help.

Kiel

[Charl]

I think this one is better, Kiel. Like Wayne, I would like to see a bit of extra wood removed. For me, the zulu should be much more elegant and not so bulky. The bowl is also canting forward just a tad too much. It's a difficult shape to pull off, in my eyes.
Much better!

[kamkiel]

Thanks! I am going to tweak my design a bit and see how the next one turns out. I really enjoythe Zulu shape and appreciate the feedback I got on this pipe!

Thanks
Kiel