Re-finishing a possibly laquered pipe?

[Dixie_piper]

Would #0000 steel wool work for sanding the current finish off of a "basket pipe" that was most likely laquered?
If not, then what would be suggested?I'm hoping to touch up some sanding mistakes then re-finish it.

[KurtHuhn]

I'd probably start off with some lacquer thinner to remove as much of the finish as I could, then start working on the sanding with whatever grit is needed. I suspect that, if it was lacquered, they stopped at around 320 grit or so.

[Dixie_piper]

That makes sense, thanks!
I think it's finally "broken in," actually smokes better than I expected.
Any words of wisdom on the misalignment of the tenon and airway from the shank?
That one's got me stumped, I've got some ideas, but not sure what the best approach is

[NathanA]

Any words of wisdom on the misalignment of the tenon and airway from the shank?
That one's got me stumped, I've got some ideas, but not sure what the best approach is

Not sure exactly what you mean by misalignment, but on a bent pipe the airhole and the mortise are supposed to be at slightly different angles so you can achieve more "bend".

[Dixie_piper]

Honestly, I'm not 100% sure exactly what the entire issue is. I know that a pipe cleaner will not pass completely through. Once it gets past the tenon, it hits either the mortise or the airway in the shank.
When I remove the stem to clean it, the entire end of the tenon has tar on it, soaked. Is that normal? I would assume that at least some of the face of the tenon should bottom out in the mortise shouldn't it?
I'm a green horn, so sorry if these are stupid ASSumptions hence the reasons I research and ask before I act.
Thanks!

[KurtHuhn]

Reply on airway here:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5228