my first pipe

[Josh B.]

this is my first pipe. I'm still working with only files and sandpaper other than than a drill press. i'm fully open to any critique, its ok to make it sting a bit. I'v really found my passion in pipe making and i want to do it well.

and p.s. i know this isnt the place for advice but any bits of info you may have to help my stem/shank junction tighter would be greatly appreciated. i always seem to put a small cut in one side of the stem while shaping the face where the shank meets and it makes a gap. i spent 4 hours and 3 premold stems to get it to this point

[Josh B.]

more pictures

[mrsmitty]

For your first pipe I say you done pretty good. Did you make the stem or is this a pre-made stem?

[Josh B.]

its a pre mold but i thinned it to a much milder oval and thinned the taper of it a good bit and reworked the button. found out even with pre-made its still alot of work to get it where you want it

[Gethenet]

I can only hope my first one looks as nice!

[wdteipen]

To improve the junction between the stem and shank, use a flat file and file from shank to stem diagonally using a light touch. File around the diameter of the stem. For round shanks, give the stem a 1/4 turn after each time around the shank to keep it symmetrical. After roughing with a file, do the same with each grit of sandpaper. Never file, sand, or buff that area without the stem attached.