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Greetings from a New Guy

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 8:05 pm
by d.huber
Hello all!

I've been a pipe smoker/collector for the last 6 years. Two years ago, I bought a few pieces of briar from Pipe Makers Emporium and fancied myself a pipe maker. :roll: Needless to say, I ran into a whole lot of issues and questions which have been humbling. Now I'm delighted to be perusing the vast depths of information that are available on this forum in the hopes that one day I may be worthy of the title "pipe maker."

I'd like to be the first to say that I know absolutely nothing about crafting a pipe at this point. I'm still slowly working on two blocks that I started carving 2 years ago, so we'll see how that goes. They're both freehand. One is shaped but not drilled and the other is rough shaped and I'm in the process of drilling it freehand. Wasn't I smart to choose the hardest path for my first time out? Sheesh. :banghead:

My tools are incredibly limited, so I'm currently making due with the rasps, files, gimlets, and sandpaper that I've accumulated so far. All of these hand tools have made the process slow but rewarding. I had a triumph recently where I was able to make the pilot hole for the chamber and the 3mm airway connect on the first try! It was a great moment, but I'm sure it had a great deal to do with beginner's luck.

Having read a handful of threads already, I'm going to try my hand at a traditional shape next so there can actually be a frame of reference for feedback. Y'know, once I actually complete a pipe. ;)

Well, long story short: hi, I'm new. :)

Re: Greetings from a New Guy

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:46 pm
by Ocelot55
Welcome! Glad to have you on board.

Don't sweat a lot over the lack of tools. The more pipes I make the more I have found that I prefer hand to power tools. It is really easy to mess something up really fast with power tools. Hand tools take a lot more time, but to me they're much more precise.

I cant wait to see some of your work. I'm still new to all this but I'll let you know three things that really helped me out: 1) DON'T RUSH. take your time with every aspect of the pipe. 2) PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. It sounds stupid, but the more you make the better you get.3) Listen to the advice of those who have come before you. This forum is the ultimate resource for pipe making. Take full advantage of it.

Wishing you all the best.

Jesse

Re: Greetings from a New Guy

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:48 pm
by hawky454
Hello UberHuberMan, and welcome to the forum! You've come to the right place. I look forward to seeing your work.

Have fun!

Dave

Re: Greetings from a New Guy

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 11:12 pm
by NathanA
Welcome. This is an amazing place to learn. Read up, dig in and start making some briar dust!

Re: Greetings from a New Guy

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:38 am
by jogilli
Welcome.. do a lot of reading here.. I just took my travel kit to my inlaws for christmas.. nothing but files and sandpaper.. so you'll at tooled up from what you wrote...

Enjoy
james

Re: Greetings from a New Guy

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:15 pm
by d.huber
Thanks for the warm welcome, guys! I'll be posting a link to a thread I started on BrothersofBriar.com detailing the process of making my first pipe as I'm making it. Please check it out and feel free to chime in if you spot anything that I could be doing better. Thanks again!

Re: Greetings from a New Guy

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:30 pm
by Tyler
Welcome!

Re: Greetings from a New Guy

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 12:00 am
by KurtHuhn
Welcome David! No video tomorrow, as there's roof repair to be done, but maybe Sunday. :thumbsup: