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Missouri Meerschaum Factory Tour: Difference between revisions
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Several of the pipe makers pictured in the photos have worked for Missouri Meerschaum for thirty years, others are younger, and learning the ropes. The workers I spoke with took a great deal of pride in their work and being part of an American tradition that is enjoyed Worldwide. | Several of the pipe makers pictured in the photos have worked for Missouri Meerschaum for thirty years, others are younger, and learning the ropes. The workers I spoke with took a great deal of pride in their work and being part of an American tradition that is enjoyed Worldwide. | ||
One of the great appeals of the Missouri Meerschaum Company is the tradition, another is the vertical integration. Even the grain is used, though not by Missouri Meerschaum. Some of it is | |||
One of the great appeals of the Missouri Meerschaum Company is the tradition, another is the vertical integration. The "pipe corn" as it is called is now a high bred of 4 varieties designed to yield larger thicker cobs, and originally developed in the 1960s. Even the grain is used, though not by Missouri Meerschaum. Some of it is being used by a distillery to make whiskey. I really need to try that as a pairing with a corncob pipe!. Some of the cobs to small for pipes are now being made into duck calls by a local Washington Missouri woodworker. | |||
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="Factory Tour, March 2019"> | <gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="Factory Tour, March 2019"> | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-Stacks.jpg|One of many stacks of cobs aging (a minimum of two years before being made into pipes) | File:MissouriMeerschaum-Stacks.jpg|One of many stacks of cobs aging (a minimum of two years before being made into pipes) | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-cobs.jpg|Corn cobs awaiting their | File:MissouriMeerschaum-cobs.jpg|Corn cobs awaiting their destiny | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-cob-cutter.jpg|Cutting machine (some start here while others are cut singly) | File:MissouriMeerschaum-cob-cutter.jpg|Cutting machine (some start here while others are cut singly) | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-after-cut.jpg|Cobs cut to length | File:MissouriMeerschaum-after-cut.jpg|Cobs cut to length | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-drilling-chamber.jpg|Drilling the chamber is an early step--it facilitates the remaining work by allowing the cobs to be easily | File:MissouriMeerschaum-drilling-chamber.jpg|Drilling the chamber is an early step--it facilitates the remaining work by allowing the cobs to be easily spun on a spindle | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-drilling-chamber2.jpg|Drilling in process | File:MissouriMeerschaum-drilling-chamber2.jpg|Drilling in process | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-after-drilling-chamber2.jpg|Cobs after drilling chamber | File:MissouriMeerschaum-after-drilling-chamber2.jpg|Cobs after drilling chamber | ||
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File:MissouriMeerschaum-lathe2.jpg|Lathe work | File:MissouriMeerschaum-lathe2.jpg|Lathe work | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-plugging1.jpg|Some of the models have maple plugs glued into bottoms, others do not require one. Here the craftsman is gluing applying glue in preparation for the plug | File:MissouriMeerschaum-plugging1.jpg|Some of the models have maple plugs glued into bottoms, others do not require one. Here the craftsman is gluing applying glue in preparation for the plug | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-sanding.jpg|Sanding the outside of the bowls to smooth and carefully refine the shape | File:MissouriMeerschaum-sanding.jpg|Sanding the outside of the bowls to smooth and carefully refine the shape | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-sanding2.jpg|Sanding work | File:MissouriMeerschaum-sanding2.jpg|Sanding work | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-mixing-plaster.jpg|Mixing plaster of Paris. This treatment was developed by Henry Tibbe, the founder of Missouri Meerschaum. Henry found the plaster of Paris process gave the cobs a character similar to Turkish Meerschaum, hence the inspiration for naming his company. | File:MissouriMeerschaum-mixing-plaster.jpg|Mixing plaster of Paris. This treatment was developed by Henry Tibbe, the founder of Missouri Meerschaum. Henry found the plaster of Paris process gave the cobs a character similar to Turkish Meerschaum, hence the inspiration for naming his company. | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-pouring-cobs.jpg | File:MissouriMeerschaum-pouring-cobs.jpg|Cobs being poured into one of the many old crates on wheels. They're everywhere, and show the graceful ware of ushering millions of cobs through the process | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-plastering.jpg|All done by feel--feel of plaster consistency, feel for the amount used, and feel of when it has been worked optimally into the cob | File:MissouriMeerschaum-plastering.jpg|All done by feel--feel of plaster consistency, feel for the amount used, and feel of when it has been worked optimally into the cob | ||
File:MissouriMeerschaum-plastering3.jpg|Inspecting the next cob bowl to have plaster applied | File:MissouriMeerschaum-plastering3.jpg|Inspecting the next cob bowl to have plaster applied | ||