Doing the best you can with what you've got
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 4:03 am
Hi again, hoping I can get some advice.
I'm planning on making my next pipe crafting attempt as professional and well done as I can do it. The first attempt was done with a pre-bore kit, and a dremel tool (using a few different standard attachments). To my dismay, the briar block that was used for the kit was low grade and got a nasty burn out on the first smoke. Here it is:
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I don't have a lot of spare money. I have, though, inherited some decent tools from my father and grandfather.
I'm looking for some off the top of your head tips for briar pipe carving, under the presumption that one couldn't add any more expensive tools to their list.
I have a dual bench grinder, with a grinding wheel attachment on one end, and a wire brush wheel on the other
I have a belt sander that was mounted to a homemade wooden mount by my late grandfather. I'm guesstimating that it runs at about 200-300 RPMs
Electric drill, and a portable drill. I have both hardened bits, and wood bits, of just about every size that would be needed
Normal log saws, hacksaws, and a hardwood saw
A large vice
As mentioned, a dremel with various attachments
Hand sanders, a rectangle shape and a V-shape for floor sanding
First concerns:
Getting a perfect (or as close to perfect as one can hope for) circular or cylindrical shape design without a lathe. I found this pretty difficult on my last attempt, it was painstaking trying to get it done exactingly on my first attempt.
When drilling the chamber, should you use a straight bit, or will a wood bit work alright with briar?
What are the big no-nos, in order to avoid cracks and other defects?
As always, thanks for your time and input
I'm planning on making my next pipe crafting attempt as professional and well done as I can do it. The first attempt was done with a pre-bore kit, and a dremel tool (using a few different standard attachments). To my dismay, the briar block that was used for the kit was low grade and got a nasty burn out on the first smoke. Here it is:
---
I don't have a lot of spare money. I have, though, inherited some decent tools from my father and grandfather.
I'm looking for some off the top of your head tips for briar pipe carving, under the presumption that one couldn't add any more expensive tools to their list.
I have a dual bench grinder, with a grinding wheel attachment on one end, and a wire brush wheel on the other
I have a belt sander that was mounted to a homemade wooden mount by my late grandfather. I'm guesstimating that it runs at about 200-300 RPMs
Electric drill, and a portable drill. I have both hardened bits, and wood bits, of just about every size that would be needed
Normal log saws, hacksaws, and a hardwood saw
A large vice
As mentioned, a dremel with various attachments
Hand sanders, a rectangle shape and a V-shape for floor sanding
First concerns:
Getting a perfect (or as close to perfect as one can hope for) circular or cylindrical shape design without a lathe. I found this pretty difficult on my last attempt, it was painstaking trying to get it done exactingly on my first attempt.
When drilling the chamber, should you use a straight bit, or will a wood bit work alright with briar?
What are the big no-nos, in order to avoid cracks and other defects?
As always, thanks for your time and input