My first hand cut stem

[GlobalAlan]

My first post after lurking for ages..

I was asked to replace a stem for a gent in a 'rural town' - here it is. I'd appreciate some critique.
I realize some of the pics are less than fantastic -sorry.

[wdteipen]

Nice job. I'm assuming your customer requested a thicker bit so he doesn't chomp through it? If not, it could stand to be quite a bit thinner. Other than that it looks great.

[GlobalAlan]

Thanks Wayne for the feedback.
To be honest I was more worried about filing too thin and breaking into the slot - or making the part behind the button so thin that one would bite through too easily.
It's ebonite from SEM. Is there an 'ideal' thickness for the ebonite to be?
Too thin - it bites through.
Too thick - it's uncomfortable.

ALan

[RadDavis]

Anything under .150 is going to be very comfortable, as long as it's not too wide.

Rad

[wdteipen]

What Rad said.

[Ocelot55]

I think you should be very proud of that stem. They aren't easy to make. If that is your first hand cut stem then you're ahead of the game.

[RadDavis]

Tom Eltang told me at my first Chicago Show: "Put each stem in your mouth. If it's not comfortable for you, it's not going to be comfortable for somebody else."

Rad

[baweaverpipes]

Tom Eltang told me at my first Chicago Show: "Put each stem in your mouth. If it's not comfortable for you, it's not going to be comfortable for somebody else."

Rad

You're a redneck Mr. Davies and ain't all uf yo cusstomurs teethless? Whuts tha diference betwix .150 ands cumfurbul?

[timothy thorpe]

agree with rad.. your stem looks great!

[RadDavis]

Whuts tha diference betwix .150 ands cumfurbul?

Nothin

Rad

[Cory]

Tom Eltang told me at my first Chicago Show: "Put each stem in your mouth. If it's not comfortable for you, it's not going to be comfortable for somebody else."

Rad

Another fantastic reason to buy a Rad Davis pipe!

[andrew]

Tom Eltang told me at my first Chicago Show: "Put each stem in your mouth. If it's not comfortable for you, it's not going to be comfortable for somebody else."

Rad

Just don't bite too hard! You'll find yourself sanding out your own teeth marks!
Yes, I did that. I'm not ashamed.

[RadDavis]

Tom Eltang told me at my first Chicago Show: "Put each stem in your mouth. If it's not comfortable for you, it's not going to be comfortable for somebody else."

Rad

Just don't bite too hard! You'll find yourself sanding out your own teeth marks!
Yes, I did that. I'm not ashamed.

Yeah, not a good idea to clench it. Just put it between your teeth to feel the thickness.

Rad

[wdteipen]

Tom Eltang told me at my first Chicago Show: "Put each stem in your mouth. If it's not comfortable for you, it's not going to be comfortable for somebody else."

Rad

Another fantastic reason to buy a Rad Davis pipe!

Ewww! Gross!

[SimeonTurner]

Tom Eltang told me at my first Chicago Show: "Put each stem in your mouth. If it's not comfortable for you, it's not going to be comfortable for somebody else."

Rad

Another fantastic reason to buy a Rad Davis pipe!

Ewww! Gross!

Now I understand why my Rad smokes so sweet. It's got a little bit of him in every puff.

[d.huber]

Now I understand why my Rad smokes so sweet. It's got a little bit of him in every puff.

Creeeeeepyyyyyyy!

[Charl]

I know Rad is creepy and full of ....., bit I agee with him! I also put every stem I make in my mouth to "feel". Dammit!