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Hi all. I have made nine pipes from kits; this is my first from a block of briar. My drilling did not quite line up, but learned for next time.

It's not complete, but I wanted some guidance for finishing it off. I have no desire for selling pipes ever, but have big desire for at least making nice pipes (and I recognise that I'm far from there yet). Open to all your critique and advice.

















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Hey great, keep knocking material off the shank close to the bowl, really define it as being different than the bowl. And don't be afraid to sand the stem. Take all that wood down flush to the stem - the stem shape and size just HAPPENS to be what it is, but that is not setting some kind of barrier. Make that transition smooth. You'll be sanding the stem no matter what - it is by no means finished product right?

Sasquatch wrote:Hey great, keep knocking material off the shank close to the bowl, really define it as being different than the bowl.

Cool - I was wondering specifically about that. Right now it's quite a gradual, sloping transition, from the shank to bowl and I was wondering if I should keep going that way, or more have a distinct transition.

More like this?

Sasquatch wrote:You'll be sanding the stem no matter what - it is by no means finished product right?

Yup. I figured rather than "finishing" it, and doing so horribly, I'd get some advice before then Thanks very much!

Yeah. Start with what you've got highlighted. Don't be shy about removing material in that bowl/shank transition. Also, as you're doing it, you can work on symmetry. Also, for next time, you could probably drill the chamber a hair deeper. Ideally, you don't want the airway to end up below your chamber. You want the bottom of the airway to line up with the bottom of your chamber.

sandahlpipe wrote:Yeah. Start with what you've got highlighted. Don't be shy about removing material in that bowl/shank transition. Also, as you're doing it, you can work on symmetry. Also, for next time, you could probably drill the chamber a hair deeper. Ideally, you don't want the airway to end up below your chamber. You want the bottom of the airway to line up with the bottom of your chamber.

Thanks! I chickened out, afraid of not leaving enough material at the bottom, however it seems thick enough that I likely could have.

Well, I said my drilling was a "little" off. Unfortunately I discovered it was way off as I was taking more briar off.



I don't suppose there's anything I can do to keep this a smokeable pipe?

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Turn a briar scrap down to size and plug the hole then coat the chamber. It wouldn't be acceptable to sell, but should be fine for a shop pipe.

Yeah plug 'er up.

At least you know your airway bit was long enough.

Hope this helps.

Thanks guys! Will search here on coating techniques

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ReverendThom wrote:Thanks guys! Will search here on coating techniques

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Buttermilk, sour cream, and charcoal??? OK.... lol

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You can buy a plug cutter for very short money I have two 1/4 and 5/16"
They have gotten pipemakers out of trouble many times Also did you drill the chamber on a press or lathe?
There seems to be some wobble in the Chuck easily adjusted.

pipeguy wrote:You can buy a plug cutter for very short money I have two 1/4 and 5/16"
They have gotten pipemakers out of trouble many times Also did you drill the chamber on a press or lathe?
There seems to be some wobble in the Chuck easily adjusted.

On a lathe, sir. I've done two bowls on scrap and thought there was wobble, especially with the spade bit. Suggestions?
Thanks

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Progress report. Got a bit done tonight until I noticed my propane heater making me a bit dizzy :/

Thoughts? Right direction?











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The shank runs to the left as it approaches the bowl. You should be able to take off more material on the left side of the shank and transition to straighten that out a bit.
I would use files for that job.
DocAitch

I've seen Rad use JB Weld pretty effectively. I could hardly even tell he repaired it.

Here it is:

wdteipen wrote:Here it is:

Where's the repair?

wdteipen wrote:Here it is:

Lol. Sweet tip!

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