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I've been lucky enough that I haven't burned through the air hole on stem nor stummel. I have however done something even more bone headed.

I cut and drilled some ebonite, turned the tenon, and then decided it was a tad too long. So, I just cut some off the end and ended up with a 5/32nd air hole that went all the way through the stem.

hey Brian... um, that won't work

rev

Growley wrote:I've been lucky enough that I haven't burned through the air hole on stem nor stummel. I have however done something even more bone headed.

I cut and drilled some ebonite, turned the tenon, and then decided it was a tad too long. So, I just cut some off the end and ended up with a 5/32nd air hole that went all the way through the stem.

Growley pipes are engineered for an open draw, after all!

Ocelot55 wrote:

Growley wrote:I've been lucky enough that I haven't burned through the air hole on stem nor stummel. I have however done something even more bone headed.

I cut and drilled some ebonite, turned the tenon, and then decided it was a tad too long. So, I just cut some off the end and ended up with a 5/32nd air hole that went all the way through the stem.

Growley pipes are engineered for an open draw, after all!

....nuff said.

Growley wrote:

Growley pipes are engineered for an open draw, after all!

....nuff said.[/quote]
looks like that would make it easier to "sip"

The stem is a little over bent in my opinion. I prefer to see them just less than parallel with the top of the bowl. Also, the stem, shank junction could use some work, I'm seeing some daylight there. Otherwise, there's a lot to like there, now go make 50 more.

I have yet to sand through into the airway but today as I was trying to bore out my premade vulcanite stem with a 11/64 tapered bit I drilled one through the side near the bit end and cracked one in the middle of them stem, am I boring to fast? or just not getting my bit centered in the chuck properly? maybe both? or could there be something else? I think tomorrow I am gonna try to drill it free hand

I'm a newbie just beginning to make my own stems and I cut through too often. I guess stems aren't as thin as they look in the pictures. I've been reading all the old posts in the stem section lately and found some good advice about two years old. Draw a line down each side of the stem in line with the air hole, that will help you know where the air hole in the stem is at all times. I haven't tried it yet, but it will have to help keep from cutting through and you can keep the sides in line with the button slot.

good Idea Alpha,
I figured out why I was splitting the stem while boring it out with the tapered bit, the fluting on the bit doesnt run the entire bit so when the bit was in far enough it wasn't evacuating the shavings and was backing them up inside the airway, I thought I was pulling the bit out enough to let them out but I guess I wasn't I started pulling the bit the whole way out and letting them fall off and everything was ok

This whole "burning" of the stem got me a bit confused: I've never burned a stem. I've sanded, filed and drilled through. Never burned.

You are right charl. It should be written off as American slang. It just really cuts through to my ass when it happens to me.

Charl wrote:This whole "burning" of the stem got me a bit confused: I've never burned a stem. I've sanded, filed and drilled through. Never burned.

you don't shape your stems with a blow torch?

yeah, american slang sorry

rev

Blow torch is too easy. I use a candle. You get better control.

This is why I have a McCaw parrot, I can blame him. He can destroy a flawed pipe in minutes. When he hears me swearing,I hear him saying " Whats the matter stupid?"

did it twice last night. oh the humanity!

poor little guys, didnt even no what hit them