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    Hi Everyone, as mentioned in my introduction post, BOTL needs quite a bit of updating, patching and whatever else I might come across. Over time BOTL may be unreachable on occasion as I do migrations or updates, etc. Just be patient - we'll be back! I'll generally try to keep these maintenances until later in the evenings.

Stem replacement?

sean

sean

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Yo dudes, so I am not the biggest pipe guy (althought some of you guys tried your damnedest - thanks again!). That being said, my pal's wife is a estate shopper... she digs, and resells stuff all the time. Anyway, she landed a big deal, scooped up a bunch of pipe stuff and dropped it all on me. The catch is that most, if not all, the stems are chipped/cracked at the mouth bit. Would replacing the stems be something I should look into? Heck, is it even possible? Let me know what you think...

PS: There are also two bowls that didn't have stems with them. Should I look into finding new stems?
 
Grrrrr609

Grrrrr609

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sean said:
Yo dudes, so I am not the biggest pipe guy (althought some of you guys tried your damnedest - thanks again!). That being said, my pal's wife is a estate shopper... she digs, and resells stuff all the time. Anyway, she landed a big deal, scooped up a bunch of pipe stuff and dropped it all on me. The catch is that most, if not all, the stems are chipped/cracked at the mouth bit. Would replacing the stems be something I should look into? Heck, is it even possible? Let me know what you think...

PS: There are also two bowls that didn't have stems with them. Should I look into finding new stems?
Click to expand...

Chipped and cracked stems can be repaired. Do u have the names of the pipes? Just to make sure the are worth the effort. Or if its a real high end pipe maybe direct you to where to get it fixed. Replacing missing stems can also be done. Again depending on the pipe. A Dunhill without the stem is probably worth more than one thats been altered for new stem unless done right. Dpendes on the pipe. My opinion. I know a guy. (I KNOW but I really do.). I know he can. Not sure what it costs compared to the value of the pipe.
 
sean

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Damnit, Grrr... I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO SAY THAT!

I know one is a Grabow... the others are? Is there a good way to tell with symbols and numbers? Some of them are so rubbed-up that the etching is illegible.
 
Grrrrr609

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Yes there aee ways. Im not the best at it and it takes me forever to find them but I am willing to look.

Ok now the dr grabows are ify. Sounds like u have older pipes. Now if its a say 1940s grabow and the stinger is complete you may want to repair it. (Some people saw off the stingers) the older graaows are sought after altho not too expensive.

Would u like to post pics or eather send me pics? Look for the marks on the stems also. Like a dunhill dot, or a comoy "C", sasenni 3 dot. I know I cant spell half these pipe makers. My hobbies suck for spelling, cigars in spanish and pipes in danish or italian.
 
mdwest

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THIS.THREAD.IS.USELESS.WITHOUT.PICS!

Must see!!!!!!!!!

(congrats on the haul... love me some estate pipes...)....
 
YodisMatt

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You can try and restore some of the stems yourself depending on how bad they are. My folks sent me some estate pipes not long ago and two of them cleaned up really well!

I just soaked the stems in oxi-clean for a few hours, then used a magic eraser to clean the stem, more tarnish and oxidation will come off. After a little while you'll see not much or nothing coming off and onto the eraser. Also did a vodka cleaning of the inside of the bit and corners of the inside of the lips (a ton of build up hides there). The eraser may help reduce some of the bite marks as they are slightly abrasive, some of the chips in the lips I tried correcting with using an emery board.

Cleaning of the bowls was easy as there wasn't much cake on these pipes, but a simple scraping with a dull knife can work or if you have a pipe tool, use the scrapper on it. I skipped the salt clean and just used vodka and pipe cleaners, it took some amount of pipe cleaners but the shanks became nice and clean.

Also I read using carnauba wax (which you might have something around the house) can work pretty well to shine up the stem, or getting some pipe paragon wax. Russ gave me a great free tip that well worked, rub the pipe on your nose getting a little grease on it and rub that in!

Hope this was some type of help, I found cleaning and bring the pipes back to life a lot of fun. If you want you can send em my way and I'll take a crack at it for ya?
 
Grrrrr609

Grrrrr609

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YodisMatt said:
You can try and restore some of the stems yourself depending on how bad they are. My folks sent me some estate pipes not long ago and two of them cleaned up really well!

I just soaked the stems in oxi-clean for a few hours, then used a magic eraser to clean the stem, more tarnish and oxidation will come off. After a little while you'll see not much or nothing coming off and onto the eraser. Also did a vodka cleaning of the inside of the bit and corners of the inside of the lips (a ton of build up hides there). The eraser may help reduce some of the bite marks as they are slightly abrasive, some of the chips in the lips I tried correcting with using an emery board.

Cleaning of the bowls was easy as there wasn't much cake on these pipes, but a simple scraping with a dull knife can work or if you have a pipe tool, use the scrapper on it. I skipped the salt clean and just used vodka and pipe cleaners, it took some amount of pipe cleaners but the shanks became nice and clean.

Also I read using carnauba wax (which you might have something around the house) can work pretty well to shine up the stem, or getting some pipe paragon wax. Russ gave me a great free tip that well worked, rub the pipe on your nose getting a little grease on it and rub that in!

Hope this was some type of help, I found cleaning and bring the pipes back to life a lot of fun. If you want you can send em my way and I'll take a crack at it for ya?
Click to expand...
I think the worst part of this is that most if not all are cracked or chipped. So we are looking at epxoy filling or sawing off and re-filing a new button. Depending on how badly damaged they are.
 
Grrrrr609

Grrrrr609

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NICE! Ok. I see a Comoy. Nice pipe. A Carey magic inch. ( more about it later) Dr Grabow. What is the bulldog?

I can fix those. I'm getting ready to experiment with a little trick to fix a chipped stem I read about so I'm pretty sure I can fix the Comoy. The bulldog needs a new stem. But before I commit I wanna know what kind.

The Carey magic inch is a little different. It has a two piece stem. Take the stem out and pull the shank out. It will have a papyrus filter around it. Toss the old one. They get nasty. It can be smoked without but best if replaced. It's a moisture filter to pull moisture from the smoke.
 
Grrrrr609

Grrrrr609

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The hello bole should clean up easy. The one with the bad chip on but needs cut off and new button files on probably.

The metal pipe is called the pipe I think. I could be way off. Looks like it's burned out. It can be fixed but I may be able to find a replacement bowl pretty easy.
 
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