Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set)
-
- Posts: 3121
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:29 am
- Location: Kansas City, USA
- Contact:
Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set)
The past few years I've been asked with increasing frequency by high-grade collectors if I have an apprentice, or plan to have one, before I'm too old to work on pipes anymore.
The 21st century being what it is, though, such a situation has never come together.
What the 21st century HAS enabled is arguably better in that someone in my position can potentially reach several people eager to learn about the subject instead of just one or two... by using video.
So, the proper gear was gathered, time was made (since the projects are real, not staged, my daily throughput wasn't affected all that much), and the videos recorded.
Like the guilds of old, the people who make and work on pipes tend to hold on tightly to hard-won "secrets", so none of the videos on the Net (that I've ever seen, anyway) show much in the way of detail, special tools, tips, tricks, and so forth. Soon that will no longer be true. In this case NOTHING was skipped over or hidden from the camera. Every step is shown. In fact, the more unlikely/surprising or "tricky" the technique, the more thoroughly it is explained.
The pictures below are of the pipe that was the subject of this first project. It arrived with a "blown" (trumpet-shaped) shank and mortise, a hammered rim, no stem at all, and was so dirty the sandblast was filled about halfway to smooth with grime.
The chamber was in good shape, though, no wood was missing anywhere, and it was a patent example of a somewhat scarce and desirable shape, so it was definitely recoverable and worth working on.
I'm announcing this project in advance (the segments are all "in the can" and being edited as we speak) to get the word out as much as possible before Chicago. The finished set of videos should be up and running in a few days.
.
The 21st century being what it is, though, such a situation has never come together.
What the 21st century HAS enabled is arguably better in that someone in my position can potentially reach several people eager to learn about the subject instead of just one or two... by using video.
So, the proper gear was gathered, time was made (since the projects are real, not staged, my daily throughput wasn't affected all that much), and the videos recorded.
Like the guilds of old, the people who make and work on pipes tend to hold on tightly to hard-won "secrets", so none of the videos on the Net (that I've ever seen, anyway) show much in the way of detail, special tools, tips, tricks, and so forth. Soon that will no longer be true. In this case NOTHING was skipped over or hidden from the camera. Every step is shown. In fact, the more unlikely/surprising or "tricky" the technique, the more thoroughly it is explained.
The pictures below are of the pipe that was the subject of this first project. It arrived with a "blown" (trumpet-shaped) shank and mortise, a hammered rim, no stem at all, and was so dirty the sandblast was filled about halfway to smooth with grime.
The chamber was in good shape, though, no wood was missing anywhere, and it was a patent example of a somewhat scarce and desirable shape, so it was definitely recoverable and worth working on.
I'm announcing this project in advance (the segments are all "in the can" and being edited as we speak) to get the word out as much as possible before Chicago. The finished set of videos should be up and running in a few days.
.
Last edited by LatakiaLover on Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
UFOs must be real. There's no other explanation for cats.
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
This sounds fantastic George, can't wait to get some much needed tips on stem making.
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
Holy fuckballs I am so pumped for this.
Chronicling my general ineptitude and misadventures in learning pipe making here: https://www.instagram.com/rustynailbriars/
- sandahlpipe
- Posts: 2106
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:49 pm
- Location: Zimmerman, MN
- Contact:
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
Looking forward to seeing them when you're finished!
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
Well this is exciting!
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
Looking forward to this.
I just spent some minutes reviewing the photos above and am salivating.
DocAitch
I just spent some minutes reviewing the photos above and am salivating.
DocAitch
"Hettinger, if you stamp 'hand made' on a dog turd, some one will buy it."
-Charles Hollyday, pipe maker, reluctant mentor, and curmudgeon
" Never show an idiot an unfinished pipe!"- same guy
-Charles Hollyday, pipe maker, reluctant mentor, and curmudgeon
" Never show an idiot an unfinished pipe!"- same guy
-
- Posts: 3121
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:29 am
- Location: Kansas City, USA
- Contact:
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
All righty, then... (This is how I feel after a day of dicking with this upload business ----> )
One project broken down into 23 steps. Nothing left out, every trick revealed.
The steps are arranged as a "playlist" for anyone who wants to watch them in order without having to click each individually.
You can still cherry-pick and/or skip them in any sequence you like, but one click will start the series and keep them going if desired.
Me? I'm off to take a nap, I think.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... lymer=true
One project broken down into 23 steps. Nothing left out, every trick revealed.
The steps are arranged as a "playlist" for anyone who wants to watch them in order without having to click each individually.
You can still cherry-pick and/or skip them in any sequence you like, but one click will start the series and keep them going if desired.
Me? I'm off to take a nap, I think.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... lymer=true
UFOs must be real. There's no other explanation for cats.
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
I just watched the whole things from start to finish. Now it's almost three in the morning....
Very nice job, George. I enjoyed it quite a bit and picked up one or two tricks to boot!
Very nice job, George. I enjoyed it quite a bit and picked up one or two tricks to boot!
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
I was supposed to do some pipe work this morning, but ended up watching this.
But it was worth it.
I really enjoyed it, George. Thank you.
But it was worth it.
I really enjoyed it, George. Thank you.
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
I feel like these videos need to, by some magic, be compiled into a hard cover book. Like one with a thick, embossed, leather cover.
"No reserves, no retreats, no regrets"
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
I too just watched the whole series and I think you did a fantastic job George. Thank you for doing this, it was truly very informative and I look forward to incorporating a lot of your techniques into hopefully making stems that are actually as much form as function. I do hope you will continue doing more videos in the future, as time permits.
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
Outstanding George! I just finished the series.
It all reminded me of this scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5qSbUbwhk
It all reminded me of this scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5qSbUbwhk
-
- Posts: 3121
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:29 am
- Location: Kansas City, USA
- Contact:
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
It all reminded me of this scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5qSbUbwhk
Now that's funny, rat there... Don't care who y'ar.
The old guy even looks like me.
UFOs must be real. There's no other explanation for cats.
-
- Posts: 1767
- Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:43 pm
- Location: Missouri
- Contact:
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
Now I have something to watch while Heath drives to Chicago!
Am I Calamity Jane or Annie Oakley??...depends on the day.
www.ladybriar.com
www.ladybriar.com
- oklahoma red
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:14 pm
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
Nailed it! Laughing my arse off!wdteipen wrote:Outstanding George! I just finished the series.
It all reminded me of this scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5qSbUbwhk
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
This series should be on Netflix.
"No reserves, no retreats, no regrets"
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
Am I the only one that got a little choked up on that last video?
"No reserves, no retreats, no regrets"
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
I am not going to comment on the content of the video, not because I feel it lacking or anything, just because I feel that's probably best left to specific questions/topics so as not to crowd this thread.
What I would like to say though is thank you! Thank you for the time and effort you put into sharing your process. The video came out very professional, you were smooth and easy going in your narration and I think it important to commend you on that with the sincere hope that you will make some more!
What I would like to say though is thank you! Thank you for the time and effort you put into sharing your process. The video came out very professional, you were smooth and easy going in your narration and I think it important to commend you on that with the sincere hope that you will make some more!
Re: Replacement stem making A to Z (instructional video set
George - this is unbelievably helpful, thank you so so much. If I'd found this when I was 22, I would have been packing my bags and begging to come apprentice with you. This sort of video correspondence course is about the best possible thing for those of use who aren't able to spend much time learning first hand from folks who know what they're doing. I cannot overstate how grateful I am that beginning pipe makers such as myself have this site - and the people who make it so great - as a resource.
Of course, I will say that I'm a little sad about the length of my shopping list now
Of course, I will say that I'm a little sad about the length of my shopping list now
Chronicling my general ineptitude and misadventures in learning pipe making here: https://www.instagram.com/rustynailbriars/