Suggestions

nepenthes · Post by **nepenthes** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:33 am

How should I go about fixing this?

The tenons airflow is off.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/25 ... 0bb_b.jpg

you can kind of see how it lines up with this other picture too

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/256 ... a8bf_b.jpg

JHowell · Post by **JHowell** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:48 am

Hard to see because of the shadow, but the airhole in the mortise looks pretty good. I'd use a needle file to funnel and center the end of the airhole in the tenon so it no longer presents a sharp edge to the airstream.

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:53 am

Jack beat me to the punch on this... I'd also use a round needle file to enlarge the hole in the stem while also trying to center it better. Taper that as far back in as you can. You can likely improve it greatly pretty easily that way, but if you want to further optimize it, you could straighten the stem first by inserting a pipe cleaner to keep the air hole open, and then carefully heating it over a flame or using a hair dryer or over a burner until it becomes pliable. Then straighten it, and let it cool. Then you can work on the entire length with files and/or drills to make sure it's free from restrictions. You can also check the diameter of the draft hole in the stummel is the same as that in the tenon and enlarge that if need be.

You can check the end results of your work by how easily a pipe cleaner passes through while the pipe is assembled. Ideally it should run easily from the bit straight through to the bowl without catching or needing to be bent and rotated.

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:54 pm

JHowell wrote: I'd use a needle file to funnel and center the end of the airhole in the tenon so it no longer presents a sharp edge to the airstream.

Take care and go slowly when doing this. It's very easy to crack the tenon when using a tapered drill bit or file. I got too cocky and cracked one a couple of days ago.