Old Pipes

[davewittwer]

So a little background. I'm ussually a cigar smoker but in cleaning out my grandfather's house after he passed I found a pipe rack full of antique (I think) pipes. My father said he used to smoke a pipe back in the 50's.

I'm getting curious to try smoking a pipe and thought it would be neat to smoke some of his old pipes. My problem is I'm site they haven't been used for 50 years. What if anything do I need to do to get them in smoking condition? How do I clean these old pipes as I'm not sure smoking 50 year old tar would be pleasing to the palate.

Also, what are some suggestions for a noob pipe smoker? Iv really have no clue where to start. I'm sure this hobby is a slippery slope but in going to try it anyhow. Thanks for your advise all. ...

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[mdwest]

Grrrr is our resident expert on pipe restorations I do believe... shoot him a PM and see what he might be able to advise...

Ive got a couple of pipes I picked up at an antique shop last year that I have been meaning to get to.. just havent found the time yet...

this website has a pretty detailed description of steps to take to restore it both internally, and externally.. along with plenty of pictures, etc.. I was planning on following their instructions on my first restore...

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-restore-an-estate-pipe/

 

[derfatdutchman]

Since the pipes have sentimental value you may want to send one out and have it restored by someone who does pipe repair. They will clean and polish the pipe and return it to you in smoking condition for around $30.00 to $40.00. If you want to try to do it yourself go to www.pipedia.org lots of good info there on care, cleaning and maintenance plus links to people who do pipe repair, etc.

 

[Grrrrr609]

Grrrr is our resident expert on pipe restorations I do believe... shoot him a PM and see what he might be able to advise...

Ive got a couple of pipes I picked up at an antique shop last year that I have been meaning to get to.. just havent found the time yet...

this website has a pretty detailed description of steps to take to restore it both internally, and externally.. along with plenty of pictures, etc.. I was planning on following their instructions on my first restore...

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-restore-an-estate-pipe/

Wow thanx a ton for the compliment. Not an expert but i really do enjoy restoring my pipes.

Davewittwer, here are a couple of threads to check out.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/68966-Pipe-cleaning-pictorial-for-the-pipe-n00bs
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/65907-Estate-Pipe-Restorations-maybe

Once you get thru ur newbie cigar sampler trade and get ur trader rating hit us up here.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/69433-BOTL-Pipe-Newbie-Sampler-Thread

 

[javajunkie]

can we get pix of the pipe in question? knowing what the pipe is, and what condition it is coming to you in, will help target the advice. also, how picky are you? are you looking for a "rugged and rustic" restore, or back to heirloom quality? if you want it clean and ready to smoke, easy. cleaning the finish, or even refinishing, can be done at home, or can be done by good people if you are down with paying for the work. any actual repair repair work, cracks in the stem, shank, or bowl, is different, and IMO best left to a pro.

let us know. also, we like pix. o)

 

[davewittwer]

I will get sine pics next time I there. Should be a couple weeks.

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[davewittwer]

Grrrr is our resident expert on pipe restorations I do believe... shoot him a PM and see what he might be able to advise...

Ive got a couple of pipes I picked up at an antique shop last year that I have been meaning to get to.. just havent found the time yet...

this website has a pretty detailed description of steps to take to restore it both internally, and externally.. along with plenty of pictures, etc.. I was planning on following their instructions on my first restore...

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-restore-an-estate-pipe/

Wow thanx a ton for the compliment. Not an expert but i really do enjoy restoring my pipes.

Davewittwer, here are a couple of threads to check out.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/68966-Pipe-cleaning-pictorial-for-the-pipe-n00bs
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/65907-Estate-Pipe-Restorations-maybe

Once you get thru ur newbie cigar sampler trade and get ur trader rating hit us up here.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/69433-BOTL-Pipe-Newbie-Sampler-Thread

Just waiting on some sticks to arive to do my newbie cigar trade....

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[Boppa-Wasch]

So a little background. I'm ussually a cigar smoker but in cleaning out my grandfather's house after he passed I found a pipe rack full of antique (I think) pipes. My father said he used to smoke a pipe back in the 50's.

I'm getting curious to try smoking a pipe and thought it would be neat to smoke some of his old pipes. My problem is I'm site they haven't been used for 50 years. What if anything do I need to do to get them in smoking condition? How do I clean these old pipes as I'm not sure smoking 50 year old tar would be pleasing to the palate.

Where do you live? You may have a shop nearby that could clean them up for you. This guy does great work and is reasonable: http://www.boswellpipes.com/
This is the shop I use: http://iapsc.net/html/pauls.html

 

[davewittwer]

I'm in Minnesota

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[davewittwer]

Here you go. Pictures as requested. Any thoughts?

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[cgraunke]

Do you have close ups of each?

 

[javajunkie]

Do you have close ups of each?

yup!

honestly, from that photo, they look dented but smokeable. maybe some tooth dents, some scuffed finishes, but all of them look intact and viable. give us better pix, when you have time, and let us know in as much detail as possible how you would like them to end up. then we should be able to tell you what you need to do.

 

[davewittwer]

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[javajunkie]

much better! still, could use pics of the bowl itself, and the stem, but from what i see they look in damn decent shape.

if you want them to smoke:
-salt treat the bowls.
-use alcohol and a pile of pipe cleaners (or a wee little brush, look at a local hardware store, unless you have a local that sells pipe stuff, ask for a shank brush) to clean the interior of the stems.
-unless you have a local that can ream them for you (if necessary), use sandpaper and gently ream back any cake. if its necessary, can't tell without chamber pics.

if you want them cleaned or restored in any way, you gotta let us know what you want. anything from an hour of mindless sanding and buffing using some cheap and basic items, to a full out rehab, it's your call.
-

 

[davewittwer]

Here we go

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[cgraunke]

Oooh, look at that...
Soaking up all the baccy ghosts!

 

[iergeni]

Here we go

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heh, last time I did that on an old pipe, the salt turned completely black.

several times.

 

[davewittwer]

Started on 2 more of these. Can't wait to smoke them.

 

[YodisMatt]

Looking good brother, I passed on doing the salt treatment on mine but may give it a go in the future.

 

[davewittwer]

Looking good brother, I passed on doing the salt treatment on mine but may give it a go in the future.

it's suoer easy. I think Grrrr has a thread on here with instructions