squashed tomato with boxwood

[calsbeek]

You know the drill

[calsbeek]

also can someone help me clean up the boxwood? sanding just seems to drive stem dust into the wood. buffing and waxing didn't help either (obvi).

[sandahlpipe]

The #1 thing I'd work on is cleaning up your lines. Especially on the saddle, you've got wobbles in the light which indicates that your lines are wobbly. It looks like you were indecisive with the saddle. If you were trying to do something asymmetric, it doesn't make sense with the otherwise symmetrical stummel. If you were trying to make a half saddle, you've got a little lump on the bottom. If you were trying to make a full saddle, you took too much off the bottom. Take your time and figure out exactly what you're going to do with it and do just that.

As for the boxwood, perhaps your boxwood isn't really boxwood? The boxwood I've worked with is so extremely dense that it cleans up really well. Were your buffing wheels were dirty when you buffed the boxwood. Otherwise, sanding to 600 or 1000 with clean sandpaper and buffing with clean wheels should be sufficient. Also (and it doesn't look like it from the pictures) take care not to get stain on the boxwood.

The finish on the stummel looks nice, and the stummel shaping is pretty close, though you could dial in a bit more on making the cheeks symmetrical.

[calsbeek]

Thanks Jeremiah
yeah my stem work continues to frustrate the crap outta me.

Boxwood, Castello (Woodcraft): apparently not a true boxwood but supposedly shares many of the same qualities. WTF?

[W.Pastuch]

Yeah you fell for the same trick I did a while ago. Most of what is sold as "boxwood" is actually this crap called Castello, which is pretty much as similar to real boxwood as pinewood is.

[sandahlpipe]

I've worked with American Holly before and had the same issues. True boxwood is difficult to find.

[jogilli]

Try here for real boxwood

Www.RighteousWoods.com ... If I was in the states that's who I'd buy from ... Or look for an exotic wood retailer ...

James

[calsbeek]

suffice to say I'll be giving up on "boxwood"
but any other feedback on el stummelo would be appreciated.

cheers

[sandahlpipe]

Now I'm taking a closer look and see that you have a little ridge in the bottom of the chamber. You want the chamber to go all the way to the bottom of the airway for optimal smoking performance. Also, sand out that chamber.

[calsbeek]

got it
I can probably kill both of those birds with one stone (err...drill bit)

[Charl]

First thing I noticed was that the stem/shank was out of line.
Sorry, but after that I didn't look further.

[calsbeek]

Charl: as much as I respect your work, your criticism is pretty lame. why not just explain the problem and perhaps how to fix it?
I see the issue...but your comment gets me nowhere.

This is the kind of thing that underscores how helpful people like Jeremiah really are.

[baweaverpipes]

Charl: as much as I respect your work, your criticism is pretty lame. why not just explain the problem and perhaps how to fix it?
I see the issue...but your comment gets me nowhere.

This is the kind of thing that underscores how helpful people like Jeremiah really are.

That was a little harsh, but look who's talking!

The line from the front, all the way to the underside, to the stem is graceful.
The top of the shank is a bit off and should mimic the underside.
JS is correct regarding the cheeks. To make this simple, in the future, is to visualize the center of the bowl at the heel and shape to there.
It might have been nice to have an Ebonite wafer at the end of the stem.
All are correct regarding the saddle.
The lip button appears to be a bit square at the ends. Try to roll the lip button and then you will have a 45 degree angle at the ends.
Nice contrast stain.
Yes, get some real boxwood. It's expensive, but well worth the $. I love working with the stuff. Years ago, I was lucky enough to dig up a 70 year old plant and have enough to last until I kick the bucket!

[calsbeek]

I don't think I wash harsh at all. Charl's comment is the equivalent of "I saw a flaw and so I stopped caring" but isn't one of the main utilities of posting here to get useful feedback and thereby improve?

I knew the pipe was flawed. Thats why I posted pics. The day I make a perfect pipe is the day I sell it instead of posting pics.

bweaver: thank you so much for the extremely helpful input. thoughts on symmetry will help a lot on the next go around.
cheers

[Charl]

Sorry if my comment was offensive, it was not supposed to be.
I think you got enough from previous comments to know what to work on with your next pipe.

[calsbeek]

Thanks Charl
-fair enough.

I'm doing another version of the same (only with more bend) and keeping the stem and shank in line on this one.