Predrilled kits
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Predrilled kits
Well I am ready to take the plunge and try my hand at crafting a pipe. I have been reading here for quite sometime and had no real reason to make a post until I was ready.
So what is the best source of the predrilled kits? Obviously the way they have been drilled is important. Penguin? American Smoking Pipe Company? Any advice on who to buy through would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
So what is the best source of the predrilled kits? Obviously the way they have been drilled is important. Penguin? American Smoking Pipe Company? Any advice on who to buy through would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
- KurtHuhn
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I'll insert a shameless plug here:
http://www.pipecrafter.com/pipes/kits/
All sold out at the moment, but send me an email and let me know what you want, I'll put it into the next rotation of kits I make.
Also, you can get them at
http://www.pipemakers.org
http://www.pimopipecraft.com
http://www.amsmoke.com.
http://www.pipecrafter.com/pipes/kits/
All sold out at the moment, but send me an email and let me know what you want, I'll put it into the next rotation of kits I make.
Also, you can get them at
http://www.pipemakers.org
http://www.pimopipecraft.com
http://www.amsmoke.com.
Yep, support your local Oversized Ostrogoth (you asked for it ), starving pipemaker if you can: http://www.pipecrafter.com/pipes/kits/
Otherwise, here's another list: http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Pipe ... d_Supplies
Otherwise, here's another list: http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Pipe ... d_Supplies
Regards,
Frank.
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Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Frank.
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Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
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that's not a shameless plug! I had not noticed on your website that you sold predrilled kits. The ones with the tops turned look great since I'll be going at it with nothing but files and sandpaper. And given the reputation of your pipes it's safe to assume they are well drilled. I'll send you out a email as soon as I figure out which style would make the type of pipe I want as my first pipe making experience.
One other question. What do guys without a buffer do to get their pipes waxed? I was considering sending it out to a pipe repair shop to be buffed and waxed after I finish with it. Sound like a workable solution?
One other question. What do guys without a buffer do to get their pipes waxed? I was considering sending it out to a pipe repair shop to be buffed and waxed after I finish with it. Sound like a workable solution?
For little more than the cost of what a pipe shop might charge you, you can get a small mandrel and 4" buff to fit your electric drill, plus a small stick of compound and a wafer of carnauba. If you're really desperate, you can even use the mini buffs for a Flex Dremel. Then again, if it's a walk-in pipe shop and the proprietor is cool, get talking pipe with him and he might do it for a couple of bucks or even free.azpipesmoker wrote:One other question. What do guys without a buffer do to get their pipes waxed? I was considering sending it out to a pipe repair shop to be buffed and waxed after I finish with it. Sound like a workable solution?
You could even try one of us refurb guys if you can't do it yourself.
Regards,
Frank.
------------------
Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Frank.
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Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
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See now. I asked about using a electric drill to buff pipes in another forum. I was told it was a VERY bad idea. They had no explanation for it other than it was bad. I even planned to jerry rig some sort of clamp up to hold the drill in place on the work bench.Frank wrote:For little more than the cost of what a pipe shop might charge you, you can get a small mandrel and 4" buff to fit your electric drill, plus a small stick of compound and a wafer of carnauba. If you're really desperate, you can even use the mini buffs for a Flex Dremel. Then again, if it's a walk-in pipe shop and the proprietor is cool, get talking pipe with him and he might do it for a couple of bucks or even free.azpipesmoker wrote:One other question. What do guys without a buffer do to get their pipes waxed? I was considering sending it out to a pipe repair shop to be buffed and waxed after I finish with it. Sound like a workable solution?
You could even try one of us refurb guys if you can't do it yourself.
I think I'll set that up and practice on some cheap ebay buys and see how good I am at it. I may well try one of you refurb guys the first time depending how things go.
Provided your drill is variable speed so that you can lock in a speed approx. 1500 rpm to 1700 rpm, I don't see any problem. Perhaps those other guys were thinking of the drill running at top speed, which is no good, you'll scorch the pipe. You should be able to "Heath Robinson" something with hose clamps and wood to hold it to the workbench.azpipesmoker wrote:See now. I asked about using a electric drill to buff pipes in another forum. I was told it was a VERY bad idea. They had no explanation for it other than it was bad. I even planned to jerry rig some sort of clamp up to hold the drill in place on the work bench.
I think I'll set that up and practice on some cheap ebay buys and see how good I am at it. I may well try one of you refurb guys the first time depending how things go.
Regards,
Frank.
------------------
Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Frank.
------------------
Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
- KurtHuhn
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Drill and 4" buff is my suggestion too. If you've got a drill, all you need to do is spend about $20 (ish, might be more) at the hardware store. Get two buffs, two mandrels, some brown compound and carnuba. That's all you really need for the first few pipes. Once you get into it, you might consider white compound and another buff for it, and a very soft fourth buff for final slow speed buffing.
Pay no heed to the naysayers on the other forum. I used a corded drill for a while before deciding to use my drill press. Man that goes back a ways....
At any rate, a drill is a an excellent interim solution for buffing.
Pay no heed to the naysayers on the other forum. I used a corded drill for a while before deciding to use my drill press. Man that goes back a ways....
At any rate, a drill is a an excellent interim solution for buffing.
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To my knowledge, nobody on this forum will think you/call you stupid for asking questions. A couple of people with that type of attitude have since dropped out of site(pun?) thanks to persuasive argument from That Oversized Ostrogoth . Everybody has to start somewhere, so just consider yourself an apprentice learning from journeymen and masters and even amateurs like myself.
Incidently, with reference to the 4" buffs, if you find a single buff too narrow you should be able to gang 2 together on the mandrel.
Incidently, with reference to the 4" buffs, if you find a single buff too narrow you should be able to gang 2 together on the mandrel.
Regards,
Frank.
------------------
Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
Frank.
------------------
Grouch Happens!
People usually get the gods they deserve - Terry Pratchett
- KurtHuhn
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5326
- Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
- Location: United States/Rhode Island
ROFL!!Frank wrote:thanks to persuasive argument from That Oversized Ostrogoth .
I think you'll find that folks here are polite, helpful, and willing to share info. Some of us don't get a chance to comment too much due to time, but we try. A lack of a response to a question or inquiry doesn't necessarily mean anything, and certainly isn't a snub. Eventually, someone will chime in.
And if you go to the store and find 6" buffs instead of 4", it's no big deal. Get the 6", they'll work fine. The great thing about any craft like this is that there's no hard and fast rules about how to accomplish something. Use what you have, and use what works.Everybody has to start somewhere, so just consider yourself an apprentice learning from journeymen and masters and even amateurs like myself.
Incidently, with reference to the 4" buffs, if you find a single buff too narrow you should be able to gang 2 together on the mandrel.
- Vermont Freehand
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I have some used 6" buffs (drill mountable), a sample chunk of tripoli and carnauba, and a pipe kit that is roughed out already with a cumberland colored lucite stem. I can sell the whole shibang for $30 including priority shipping. Let me know if you are interested. I can always substitute a pipe kit in block form that is not roughed out yet, but if you are using just files and sandpaper, the roughed out pipe might be the ticket, plus the roughed out pipe shows no pits or voids, which may occur in the block kit. The used buffs will need to be sanded clean before applying new tripoli or carnauba, but is easy to do once they are spinning in the drill.
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thanks for the offer but Kurt is making up a kit that I wanted and I already ordered the buffs and arbors. Also considering buying a Dremel and a flex shaft for it to make the carving go a bit quicker. It doesn't seem like the cost of a dremel is really that far off of good rasps. If I end up doing it with just files at least it will make the fun last longer
Vermont Freehand wrote:I have some used 6" buffs (drill mountable), a sample chunk of tripoli and carnauba, and a pipe kit that is roughed out already with a cumberland colored lucite stem. I can sell the whole shibang for $30 including priority shipping. Let me know if you are interested. I can always substitute a pipe kit in block form that is not roughed out yet, but if you are using just files and sandpaper, the roughed out pipe might be the ticket, plus the roughed out pipe shows no pits or voids, which may occur in the block kit. The used buffs will need to be sanded clean before applying new tripoli or carnauba, but is easy to do once they are spinning in the drill.
I can say from experience that a dremel will do a fine job. The only problem is that it takes a looooonnnng time to finish that way. If you are going to use a dremel I suggest that you get the roughest sand paper cyliners that they make for the roughing or it will take even longer to complete. On the up side, it is a good oportunity to sit out in the garage and smoke your pipe, assuming that you have one done, while you work.
The opinions expressed above do not necessarily reflect those of the management or of the little green men who have been following me all day.