the short answer for making hand cut stems is you need a metal lathe. it is possible to do using delrin tenons with a drill press, but if you want to be making hand cut stems i highly recommend a metal lathe (which ain't cheap). if you are doing kit pipes just for fun and have a limited budget for tools the main thing i would add to your list is good files, they can really come in handy for both stummel and stem work.
Pipe making
- Thread starter smokinbodybuilder
- Start date
I used a file on the first pipe I made and felt like I wasnt getting anywhere and my hands hurt like a mother afterwards. That's why I switched to the Dremel. Yeah, I think I'm mostly doing it for fun. Don't intend to sell any unless someone specifically asked me to make them one. Still a blast to make though. I know I'll have more questions.
I was actually just researching this a bit. I will probably end up getting a kit myself and do all hand carving as I don't have any saws. But I do have knives. I mean, all the old pipes were done 100% by hand right? But seeing your work, Sam, is inspiring for sure.
This was my original thought....til I tried doing it that way. Do yourself a favor and get some better hand tools. LOL
Some great looking pipes in this thread! I plan on getting into pipe making as soon as I get financially stable. I want to get the proper tools and equipment before jumping into it. But, here are a few sites that have really inspired me so far. A very good read/look over if you are interested in pipe making or love looking at some unique pipes!
http://todd-m-johnson.blogspot.com/2009/04/evolution-of-calabash-or-why-high-grade.html
http://www.downiepipes.com/smooth.html
https://s3-us4.ixquick-proxy.com/do/spg/show_picture.pl?l=english&cat=pics&c=pf&q=making+birar+pipe&h=578&w=770&th=120&tw=160&fn=ws-1.jpg&fs=300.8 k&el=boss_pics_2&tu=http://ts1.explicit.bing.net/th?id=H.4775240176764772&pid=15.1&H=120&W=160&rl=NONE&u=http://www.creativebriarpipes.com/workshop/&udata=c92960fdc6523ea292dab9eb0c2bde6d&rid=LGLNRLQNKSOO&oiu=http://www.creativebriarpipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/ws-1.jpg
http://todd-m-johnson.blogspot.com/2009/04/evolution-of-calabash-or-why-high-grade.html
http://www.downiepipes.com/smooth.html
https://s3-us4.ixquick-proxy.com/do/spg/show_picture.pl?l=english&cat=pics&c=pf&q=making+birar+pipe&h=578&w=770&th=120&tw=160&fn=ws-1.jpg&fs=300.8 k&el=boss_pics_2&tu=http://ts1.explicit.bing.net/th?id=H.4775240176764772&pid=15.1&H=120&W=160&rl=NONE&u=http://www.creativebriarpipes.com/workshop/&udata=c92960fdc6523ea292dab9eb0c2bde6d&rid=LGLNRLQNKSOO&oiu=http://www.creativebriarpipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/ws-1.jpg
kit_luce
To the ones we can save, and those we can't.
I mean a block of briar can be had for like 10-30 bucks, I have enough hand tools and sandpaper it would be a good down time busy work project I feel like
I'll be starting clinicals then
Yep. Still pipemaking.
I went the easy way and started with a pre drilled chunk of briar and drew out a rough shape.
I worked on it now and again on the rare nights my garage was not a sweat box. Got a bunch of stock removal done.
Started to give it some shape before I ran out of warm weather. I’ll finish it up come spring.
I worked on it now and again on the rare nights my garage was not a sweat box. Got a bunch of stock removal done.
Started to give it some shape before I ran out of warm weather. I’ll finish it up come spring.
kit_luce
To the ones we can save, and those we can't.
Sure... I have some pics of some recent work on my website:
samadebayo.com
You can also see some other pipes I've done recently over at smokingpipes:
https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/sam-adebayo/
And on scandpipes:
http://www.scandpipes.com/pipes/664-sam-adebayo/
Thank you.
You do some pretty amazing work. Maybe one day I'll be able to grab one up.