Best way to rough out a pipe shape

sgresso · Post by **sgresso** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 11:29 pm

Right now I just used a small wood saw and a dremel tool for the basic shape.
Tomarrow I am working on it with a wood rasp and sand paper.

How do you all start your pipes.

hopefully I can start to get the basic tools here and get a nice small workshop going.

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:32 am

I start by removing as much as I can on the bandsaw, then I move to a belt grinder to remove the rest. I fine tune the shape with a disc sander, and do final sanding there as well. Some rough shaping can be done on the lathe, but that's usually limites to the top of the bowl, and usually just used as a guide for the rest of the shaping.

LexKY_Pipe · Post by **LexKY_Pipe** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 4:24 pm

My approach is like Kurt's except I move from bandsaw directly to disk sander.

marks · Post by **marks** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:55 am

I use various methods, depending on the shape I am going to make. Most of the time I use a disc sander. Other times I will use a dremel, files, and sandpaper. If I cut the briar stummel prior to shaping, I use a hacksaw or a coping saw (a band saw would make for faster and more accurate cuts, but if you leave extra material, you can get by without one).

There is no one best way to make a pipe. Everyone does it differently.

Butch_Y · Post by **Butch_Y** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:11 am

I think, (imho) if you're new to crafting and carving, your best bet before even starting to carve those blocks would be to just randomly read these forum threads.

Take those blocks and put them on your bench. Polish the outsides a bit so you can see the grain and begin to get an idea of what the wood would like to look like. (it's a druid thing I guess

) I believe every piece of briar is willing to talk to you provided you are willing to listen. You don't know it, but you have 3 beautiful pipes already. They're just waiting to be uncovered.

Take your time, don't rush it. You can start smoking the blocks now if you're impatient. I have my first pot that I am always working on if I am not smoking it. :thumb:

I have certainly learned more here than had I purchased any 20 books on pipe mkaing and related topics. It's a ton of information and after a solid month of daily reading I am still discovering more that I missed.

sgresso · Post by **sgresso** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 2:20 pm

I think i have read do many threads here in the last week!

tons of great advice and I learned so much yesterday working on my first pipe.