Cutting the V slot

For discussion of fitting and shaping stems, doing inlays, and any other stem-related topic.
wdteipen
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Cutting the V slot

Post by wdteipen »

I'm working on this stem made from clear acrylic. I thought it would be a great opportunity to show what a proper V slot should look like for aspiring pipemakers. This one still needs a little filing and buffing but you can get the gist of it. As you can see, the tenon end is drilled with a 5/32" tapered bit then finished with a 1/16" bit. There is more than one way to cut the slot from here. The method I use is to use the Dremel cutter that most use to cut a guide for the slot over top of the 1/16" hole. I then use a 3/64" drill bit in a rotary tool to gently widen the slot further. The problem I have with stopping here is that I find that the drill bit leaves a slot that curves inward leaving the airway pinched. I like to take my modified jigsaw blade (aka prison shank) and straighten and deepen the sides. Hope this helps someone.

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Wayne Teipen
Teipen Handmade Briar Pipes
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andrew
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by andrew »

I've noticed the same thing with the pinched airway. Doesn't seem to affect things too much smoking-wise, but it bugs me. It's a chance for quite a few undesirable things.
AaronC
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by AaronC »

"modified jigsaw blade". i'd been trying to think of a way to cut that better, and it's something i can make easy.
great idea :D thank you.
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taharris
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by taharris »

So, which part of this process involves cutting your finger to the bone? :P

Just kidding...sorry to hear about your finger Wayne. I hope it heals quickly.

Todd
wdteipen
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by wdteipen »

taharris wrote:So, which part of this process involves cutting your finger to the bone? :P

Just kidding...sorry to hear about your finger Wayne. I hope it heals quickly.

Todd

This part and on this stem actually:
I like to take my modified jigsaw blade (aka prison shank) and straighten and deepen the sides.
:lol:
Wayne Teipen
Teipen Handmade Briar Pipes
http://www.teipenpipes.com
AaronC
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by AaronC »

Just finished making myself a "prison shank". I figure i'm bound to stab myself with it eventually so I used a hacksaw blade so i could point the teeth away from me.

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Thanks again for the idea :)
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Tyler
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Tyler »

AaronC wrote:Just finished making myself a "prison shank". I figure i'm bound to stab myself with it eventually so I used a hacksaw blade so i could point the teeth away from me.

Image

Thanks again for the idea :)
You're gonna wish that was longer before hitting the handle.
AaronC
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by AaronC »

Tyler wrote:
AaronC wrote:Just finished making myself a "prison shank". I figure i'm bound to stab myself with it eventually so I used a hacksaw blade so i could point the teeth away from me.

Thanks again for the idea :)
You're gonna wish that was longer before hitting the handle.
Ah ok, i have another 4 or 5 inches back that i can grind down. thanks for the heads up. i'll grind back some more. I can also tell i may need to make a couple more with less teeth.
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Tyler
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Tyler »

AaronC wrote:
Tyler wrote:
AaronC wrote:Just finished making myself a "prison shank". I figure i'm bound to stab myself with it eventually so I used a hacksaw blade so i could point the teeth away from me.

Thanks again for the idea :)
You're gonna wish that was longer before hitting the handle.
Ah ok, i have another 4 or 5 inches back that i can grind down. thanks for the heads up. i'll grind back some more. I can also tell i may need to make a couple more with less teeth.
Ah, good.

Wait and see if I'm right. I could be off on the scale of things.
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Sasquatch
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Sasquatch »

Most of us don't slot it all the way to the tenon, Tyler. But if that's your trademark, I guess I can't laugh. (My trademark is wobbly shaping and sanding scratches).
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Tyler
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Tyler »

Sasquatch wrote:Most of us don't slot it all the way to the tenon, Tyler. But if that's your trademark, I guess I can't laugh. (My trademark is wobbly shaping and sanding scratches).

I definitely slot all the way to the tenon. That is the one thing I thought when I saw Wayne's clear stem...wow, I do a lot more "slotting" than that. I'd estimate the slots I make are twice as wide as Wayne's, for almost the full length of the stem.
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RadDavis
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by RadDavis »

Tyler wrote:

I definitely slot all the way to the tenon. That is the one thing I thought when I saw Wayne's clear stem...wow, I do a lot more "slotting" than that. I'd estimate the slots I make are twice as wide as Wayne's, for almost the full length of the stem.
Yes, this make for a nice open draw. :lol:

Rad
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Tyler
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Tyler »

Rad wrote:
Tyler wrote:I definitely slot all the way to the tenon. That is the one thing I thought when I saw Wayne's clear stem...wow, I do a lot more "slotting" than that. I'd estimate the slots I make are twice as wide as Wayne's, for almost the full length of the stem.
Yes, this make for a nice open draw. :lol:

Rad
Why's that funny?

:twak:

I've always wanted to use that emoticon. Bonus: it was on Rad! :D
wdteipen
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by wdteipen »

This stem was actually about an inch longer so I cut that much of the slot off. I slot mine pretty deep these days too; especially if the stem is anything other than a standard taper.
Wayne Teipen
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e Markle
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by e Markle »

Tyler wrote:
AaronC wrote:Just finished making myself a "prison shank". I figure i'm bound to stab myself with it eventually so I used a hacksaw blade so i could point the teeth away from me.

Image

Thanks again for the idea :)
You're gonna wish that was longer before hitting the handle.
I think you'll want a more aggressive blade. I think I use like 12 TPI so it really bites.
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Sasquatch
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Sasquatch »

I think you guys are all fucked in the head for not using a $1.25 X-acto saw and an oval needle file.

Oh, and dremel part no 16471, no longer produced. They're sweet too.


But do as you please.

Hope this helps.

Todd
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AaronC
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by AaronC »

Sasquatch wrote:I think you guys are all fucked in the head for not using a $1.25 X-acto saw and an oval needle file.

Oh, and dremel part no 16471, no longer produced. They're sweet too.


But do as you please.

Hope this helps.

Todd
well, i work in an auto parts store so i can get the hack saw blades for about 75 cents a piece, but yes you're right... i am fucked in the head, and then some. :lol:
e Markle wrote:
I think you'll want a more aggressive blade. I think I use like 12 TPI so it really bites.
The blade i used in the picture was a 32 tpi. I do have an 18 tpi also. I'm hopeful that 18 will work ok, because i cant find any hacksaw blades with 12.

Thank You!

Aaron
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Growley
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Growley »

Sasquatch wrote:I think you guys are all "not right" in the head for not using a $1.25 X-acto saw and an oval needle file.

Oh, and dremel part no 16471, no longer produced. They're sweet too.


But do as you please.

Hope this helps.

Todd
I just got my X-acto blades in from Amazon today. I'm pretty excited to give them a whirl. I'm going to have to look up that Dremel part number too and see if I can't find them on the black market somewhere.

Brian.
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Sasquatch
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Sasquatch »

The X-acto saws are fantastic. Sharp, tiny, and just a wonderful shape/size.

That dremel part is really hard to find, but it amounts to a wire coated in 60 grit carbide. Super nice. The next one up, the 16472 is twice as thick, and I think it's too big, so don't be foo'd.
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Tyler
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Re: Cutting the V slot

Post by Tyler »

Sasquatch wrote:I think you guys are all fucked in the head for not using a $1.25 X-acto saw and an oval needle file.

Todd
Give piece a chance dood, you just learnt us about them a few posts ago.
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