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PME has their banding tool on sale now with some free nickle bands. I was seriously considering picking one up, but before I did, I wanted to know if it was worth it. Do you guys use a similar banding method? Should I buy the PME tool or would it be better to craft my own?

I was hoping you'd get an answer, I thought it was a good question.

I may be doing it all wrong, but when I band a pipe that I am making I use a parting tool to carve out a channel for the band and then epoxy it on.

I really don't know anything about the PME banding tool.

Hope this helps.

Todd

taharris wrote:I may be doing it all wrong, but when I band a pipe that I am making I use a parting tool to carve out a channel for the band and then epoxy it on.

I really don't know anything about the PME banding tool.

Hope this helps.

Todd

That's how I do it too. I've heated them up before putting them on before too. I like the epoxy method much better. The key is getting a snug fit. Of course, I may be doing it all wrong too.

Me too!

Half a dozen pipe makers can't be wrong!

That's how I do it as well. It takes only a moment to do when I've got the pipe on the lathe.

How would any of you recommend those of us who don't have a lathe apply bands?

Even if we try very hard the shank won't be as round as if the pipe was turned on a lathe. Does that matter? I would love to start using bands but I don't know what's the best way to start.

The same way you would put a band on a Canadian.

A good file and a lot of patience.

Todd

+Todd

That's how I did it before I got a lathe. Mark a line as perfect as you can around the shank then file very carefully. It's hard to do it this way and it look perfect. The other option is to not make the ring flush with the shank diameter. There are plenty of production pipes made this way.

Thanks guys. Hopefully I can do some experimentation.