pipemakersforum.com

Has anyone ever tried using a hot sand (glass beads or salt actually) bed to heat a stem for bending?
This is what a lot of eyeglass shops use to heat plastic frames for adjustment.
One would think that it would be a lot less problematic than using heat guns or open flames.

You can use whatever you want. But I use a candle and it works trouble free on all types of stems if you are even a little careful.

Some also use an alcohol burner. I use a heat gun. Heated sand and glass beads take too much time and time is $$$$.

In a high production shop, it might make sense. You can pop stems into it and come back later to bend them after working on other tasks. But for onsie-twosies, an alcohol lamp or heat gun will get it done a lot quicker and for a LOT less money.

I know Mark Tinsky uses one of those optometrist sand boxes. They work fine unless you forget a pipe is in there and the tenon shrinks in the mortise.

Also, you have to make sure all of the little beads are off the stem, lest they leave little dimples in the ebonite from the pressure of your fingers.

I use and recommend a heat gun.

Rad

I also use a heat gun. Open flame around flamables is not my friend. Some guys like to live on the wild side though.

I also use a heat gun.. I used a candle for a while, but prefer the heat gun

james

With as few stems as I bend, I use a bic lighter. Haven't tried the heat gun yet.

I use a heat gun.
Dan
Gabrieli Pipes

I use a heat gun.
Wow, it almost sounds like heat guns have the vote here.

I've tried a heat gun and a Zippo.
The Zippo is faster and cheaper.

R.H. wrote:I've tried a heat gun and a Zippo.
The Zippo is faster and cheaper.

To each is own , but I find it hard to believe that a Zippo is faster than a heat gun. Plus there's the soot factor when using a lighter.

It is cheaper though.

Rad

To each is own , but I find it hard to believe that a Zippo is faster than a heat gun. Plus there's the soot factor when using a lighter.[/quote]

A heat gun (mine at least) needs 10-15 second to reach the temperature level required, a flame it's hot from the beginning. You can bend a stem in less than 10 seconds with a flame.

R.H. wrote:To each is own , but I find it hard to believe that a Zippo is faster than a heat gun. Plus there's the soot factor when using a lighter.

A heat gun (mine at least) needs 10-15 second to reach the temperature level required, a flame it's hot from the beginning. You can bend a stem in less than 10 seconds with a flame.[/quote]

I'd like to see that done.

Rad

RadDavis wrote: I'd like to see that done.

I did it, but may be you're right, I was talking about an acrylic stem and it was short and thin.

I use a candle most of the times, but sometimes just use a normal butane lighter.

Candle here! Come on candle guys, can't let the heat gun guys take over!

Charl wrote:Candle here! Come on candle guys, can't let the heat gun guys take over!

the lower the tech the better.. less equipment failure rate... :p

....now where the heck did i put that candle...

adryazad wrote:....now where the heck did i put that candle...

Don´t worry, use a Zippo.

I use a heat gun. A vice holds it so I have two hands free. Only takes me a few minutes to bend even a thick stem and i like how even and controlled the heating is with little chance of scorching.