My First Pipe Attempt

[Roger]

Well, I finally finished my pipe. I tried at first but failed on drilling my pipe and the shank cracked.



Well that was a total fail!!! Anyway tried again and this is what I ended up with.

The Pipe stem connection is not very good, but adequate. The bowl is made of Juniper and the stem out of pine. I have to come up with a way to makeshift a lathe situation so I can do a proper mortise and tenon connection. I want to get some caranuba wax to finish it up and make the pipe shine better. The stem was the hardest to do, and the drilling on it was very difficult. I would like to buy a few stems and do some pipes that way.

I plan on firing up this puppy tonight and see how it smokes. The tobacco hole was made specifically small (5/8") because i wanted a pipe to smoke for just a small amount of time. I am happy with my first effort ahem... second effort. I will be doing a few more in the future.

[mrtr33]

This is awesome. Color me impressed. But why not just buy a stem first, then, for lack of a better description, build the pipe around that stem? You might have a better shot at getting the stem fitting better (especially if the stem was the hardest part), and you could focus more work on the finish. But what do I know?

Also, isn't juniper rather soft? I have a big block of jatoba (Brazilian cherry) I've been thinking might be cool to carve into a pipe, but procrastination rules around here.

[Roger]

This is awesome. Color me impressed. But why not just buy a stem first, then, for lack of a better description, build the pipe around that stem? You might have a better shot at getting the stem fitting better (especially if the stem was the hardest part), and you could focus more work on the finish. But what do I know?

Also, isn't juniper rather soft? I have a big block of jatoba (Brazilian cherry) I've been thinking might be cool to carve into a pipe, but procrastination rules around here.

That's a good point! I may just have to make a stem first and do a bowl based on that stem. I have been looking at buying some stems. Trying to decide between acrylic, lucite and few others. It copper connection for the pipe made it easier to do but because of the flexibility of copper it was not exactly a good choice so that the two parts would marry better. I am hoping to figure out how to lathe out one and see how that goes. Got to makeshift a lathe first. I would like to make several different pipes using different woods. Juniper is kind of soft, but it will be interesting what properties that wood lends to the taste of the tobacco. Thanks for your comments!

[Roger]

Well it smoked ok but I think I need to make a new stem for it. I prolly will do that and make it longer as the smoke seemed to be a bit on the hot side when I was smoking it.

[mail man]

Very cool pipe, I am impressed for your "first" try.

[cigarsarge]

Not too bad...Be careful of alternative woods though. Some wood can taint a smoke while others can be toxic.

[Roger]

Not too bad...Be careful of alternative woods though. Some wood can taint a smoke while others can be toxic.

Do you think that the properties of Juniper are toxic? I am not sure. It did not seem to effect the taste of the smoke too much... except of course the burning off of the saps at first. After I get another stem made for it I will try it out again.

[cigarsarge]

I reall don't know...Several pipe retailers offer pre-drilled kits you can carve and stain on your own. Google pipe makers forums...They are several of them full of info.

[Paddy]

Do you think that the properties of Juniper are toxic? I am not sure. It did not seem to effect the taste of the smoke too much... except of course the burning off of the saps at first. After I get another stem made for it I will try it out again.

Fuck No....They make Gin out of Juniper berries.

[cigarsarge]

Fuck No....They make Gin out of Juniper berries.

You are correct...Might make a gin and tonic tonight.

[Paddy]

You are correct...Might make a gin and tonic tonight.

I may join you. I don't feel right today. They sent me out in a very old straight-job that had exhaust fumes pouring into the cab. Beside the dizziness and pounding headache my neck muscles hurt. Maybe the Gin will help

[ashauler]

Wood used to make pipes is generally kiln dried to remove virtually all of the moisture. I believe sometimes they are boiled as well to remove the sap.