#8 please help me get closer to selling

[WillAndersonpipes]

Just finished this one up lastnight its my 8th pipe. I was really focusing on improving my stem work on this one, trying to get a nice crisp line behind the button. I've already smoked this one (couldn't resist) so there may be some tooth marks on the stem. I also worked on this one kind of sporadically and completely forgot to face the bamboo before gluing it so there are some spots on top of the bamboo where that is evident. Im trying to get to the point that I can sell these pipes so I would appreciate some feed back on how I can get to that point.

[sandahlpipe]

I'm not seeing anything in these pictures that would tell me not to sell it. The bamboo looks like it has a bit of tearout on the ends. The button work is good. The stem should be a little flatter in the middle and rounded over only on the edges. A round bite area doesn't have a comfortable place between the teeth, so it's not comfortable for clenching. Also, you could probably get away with the area right after the saddle having less girth, just a very slight taper from behind the button right up to the saddle. That's more of an aesthetic thing rather than a functional thing, though. It looks like you've got a little bit of stain in the chamber you can sand out. Also, there's a small area on the top of the shank by the bowl that looks like it didn't get buffed as much as the rest.

Other than that, I like the idea you've got going on this shape. I think the design is good with these refinements in mind for the next one. I'd like to see you make another one exactly like this with the corrections.

[PremalChheda]

It appears to be saleable but can you answer these questions in the affirmative:

1. Are you confident the finish is set properly and stable, and will not rub off on a the smoker's hands?

2. Are all of the materials and connections stable?

3. Do you plan on sanding the chamber clean or sand and use a bowl coate?

[WillAndersonpipes]

alright thanks a lot! so the bowl shape and everything is right? I was a little worried about this one because I don't have a 4 jaw chuck yet so I just hand shaped this one so it was hard to get the lines just right and to get a perfect circle.

Also, about the comment on the stem,

The stem should be a little flatter in the middle and rounded over only on the edges

do I want it flat only at right behind the button or along the entire stem.

[PremalChheda]

Another thing to do is have a very experienced pipe maker examine the pipe or many of your pipes, and give you feedback before you sell.

[WillAndersonpipes]

It appears to be saleable but can you answer these questions in the affirmative:

1. Are you confident the finish is set properly and stable, and will not rub off on a the smoker's hands?

2. Are all of the materials and connections stable?

3. Do you plan on sanding the chamber clean or sand and use a bowl coate?

1. I used a stain that I concocted my self for the dark contrast under the brown stain that I cant even remove with denatured alcohol only sandpaper seems to work on that. the top coat though is feiblings and I haven't had any problems yet. what is the best way to really seal your dyes?

2. the connections are very stable the bamboo is of course connected with a stainless steel tenon and the ebonite cap on the other end goes into the bamboo at least a quarter inch, and the stem tenon fits snuggly in both the bamboo and the ebonite cap.



3. I would like to use a bowl coating but being that this is only my 8th pipe I don't really know much about bowl coating yet. I've experimented with charcoal and honey but it doesn't seem to work well. could you recommend a good one for me?

[PremalChheda]

It appears to be saleable but can you answer these questions in the affirmative:

1. Are you confident the finish is set properly and stable, and will not rub off on a the smoker's hands?

2. Are all of the materials and connections stable?

3. Do you plan on sanding the chamber clean or sand and use a bowl coate?

1. I used a stain that I concocted my self for the dark contrast under the brown stain that I cant even remove with denatured alcohol only sandpaper seems to work on that. the top coat though is feiblings and I haven't had any problems yet. what is the best way to really seal your dyes?
2. the connections are very stable the bamboo is of course connected with a stainless steel tenon and the ebonite cap on the other end goes into the bamboo at least a quarter inch, and the stem tenon fits snuggly in both the bamboo and the ebonite cap.
3. I would like to use a bowl coating but being that this is only my 8th pipe I don't really know much about bowl coating yet. I've experimented with charcoal and honey but it doesn't seem to work well. could you recommend a good one for me?

1. Shellac, drying oil, good buffing and wax, etc..
2. Stabilize the mortise with something like shellac or wax.
3. You could just sand it clean. There are many different bowl coats, but you will need to experiment.

[sandahlpipe]

Since you've shown a picture of the inside of your stem, you should (in the future) try to make sure you don't have any tearout inside the pocket for the stem. It's just an aesthetic thing, but those details are what make the difference. Sharpen your drill bit and you should be able to get a nice, clean cut.

Is the tenon integral or delrin?

[WillAndersonpipes]

So just a sharper bit will fix that or is there way to sand the inside?

[sandahlpipe]

There's always a way to sand the inside, but that's never as easy as drilling with sharp bits. You could wrap some sandpaper around a dowel and try to get it all sanded. It's better to learn how to avoid fixes like that, though, and in this case, it's not terribly difficult to learn how to sharpen a drill bit (or if you're turning on a lathe, the lathe tool).

[PremalChheda]

So just a sharper bit will fix that or is there way to sand the inside?

You can sand and buff, but as long as you have good airflow, do not worry about it now.

[WillAndersonpipes]

alright, yeah the airflow is great

[LatakiaLover]

--------- Lateral Observation ---------

From initial post to twelve entry exchange in three hours (and still growing). Top quality, task-specific information offered and received (to doubtlessly be applied asap) in a matter-of-fact fashion. Pushback/challenge/"artistic validity" debate/etc./etc./etc. nowhere in sight, creating powerful positive feedback loop.

Pigs aren't just flying, they are doing aerobatics in formation.



I wondered if I'd live long enough to see it.

This guy is gonna get really good, really fast.

[sandahlpipe]

Pigs aren't just flying, they are doing aerobatics in formation.

I think we just got called pigs...

[WillAndersonpipes]

Pushback/challenge/"artistic validity" debate/etc./etc./etc. nowhere in sight

You won't hear any of that from me. it takes an ignorant asshole to push back on free advice from experts.

I really appreciate all the feed back from y'all I just joined this forum a few days ago and have already learned a ton.

Thanks for that video as well latakialover I've got you to thank for my improvements on this stem

[WillAndersonpipes]

2. Stabilize the mortise with something like shellac or wax.

What exactly do you mean by stabilizing the mortise?

[PremalChheda]

2. Stabilize the mortise with something like shellac or wax.

What exactly do you mean by stabilizing the mortise?

It may not pertain to this pipe, but if you have briar or bamboo as the mortise, it will change with moisture and heat. To prevent it from changing size, it can be stabilized using many different methods, but shellac and wax seem to work well enough for most applications. For more indepth info, check this out:

http://pipemakersforum.com/forum/viewto ... ze+mortise

[WillAndersonpipes]

Premal does the heating of the tenon to allow for heat expansion pertain to delrin tenons?

[Sasquatch]

No.

[JMG]

I agree with most of the previous comments. The only thing I would add is that it looks like the polish/final buff could be a bit better/shinier. Also, on the third pic down it looks like there is a patch of something towards the top of the bowl...Maybe a bit of tripoli or other wax that got caked on and not properly buffed off. Or could just be the photo making it appear as such.

Nice pipe, though and excellent for a #8