Pipe Making: Difference between revisions

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=== Materials and Supplies ===
=== Materials and Supplies ===
==== Kits:====  
==== Pipe Kits:====  
Pre-bored pipe making kits with pre-fit stems are a good way to start, especially if you don't have access to many tools, or previous woodworking experience. With the kit, the new pipe maker can then focus their efforts on shaping and finish. Pipe kits generally come in variations of three basic styles to be used for bent pipes, straight pipes, or freehand pipes. Several pipe makers also offer custom kits. Kits are available with two different pre-fit stem styles (flush or military) and using either ebauchon or plateaux cut briar blocks.  
Pre-bored pipe making kits with pre-fit stems are a good way to start, especially for those who don't have access to many tools, or previous woodworking experience. With the kit, the new pipe maker can focus their efforts on shaping and finishing the pipe and avoid the pitfalls associated with drilling the tobacco chamber, airway, and mortise, not to mention facing the shank and stem to meet perfectly, and turning the tenon of the stem to fit snugly in the mortise. These steps are all great fun and some first time pipe makers start right in from scratch, but it can be a bit overwhelming and tool intensive for the beginner without a background in woodworking or machining trades. Even with the pipe kit, it is still possible to do some "tweaking" of the airway in the shank and stem, as well as thinning the button area and carefully funneling slot. Careful attention to tweaking in the generic mechanics of a pipe kit after shaping the stummel and shank can turn it into a really fine pipe, and every bit your own creation.
 
Pipe kits generally come in variations of three basic styles intended for bent pipes, straight pipes, or freehand pipes. Several pipe makers also offer custom kits. Kits are available with two different pre-fit stem mounting styles (flush or military mount), and using either ebauchon or plateaux cut briar blocks.  


Ebauchon blocks are generally used in the manufacture of machine made pipes. They are most often cut perpendicular to the axis of the straight grain, which renders cross grains with birdseye. They tend to have more inherent flaws than plateaux briar. They are typically good for a small to medium pipe, and are most often cheaper, and often recommended for a first pipe.
Ebauchon blocks are generally used in the manufacture of machine made pipes. They are most often cut perpendicular to the axis of the straight grain, which renders cross grains with birdseye. They tend to have more inherent flaws than plateaux briar. They are typically good for a small to medium pipe, and are most often cheaper, and often recommended for a first pipe.
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Plateaux Briar, as the name suggests, is the top part of the burl. It has a rough pebble top that can be left on for a freehand look or sanded smooth for a traditional appearance. Plateaux comes in different shapes and sizes. we will do the best we can to match your design to the proper block. Plateaux grain tends to run straight or angled. These blocks will generally yield flame grains or an occasional straight grain. They contain generally less flaws than ebauchon , though you don't know what a block will yield until you get into it.
Plateaux Briar, as the name suggests, is the top part of the burl. It has a rough pebble top that can be left on for a freehand look or sanded smooth for a traditional appearance. Plateaux comes in different shapes and sizes. we will do the best we can to match your design to the proper block. Plateaux grain tends to run straight or angled. These blocks will generally yield flame grains or an occasional straight grain. They contain generally less flaws than ebauchon , though you don't know what a block will yield until you get into it.


Pimo[http://www.pimopipecraft.com] offers kits, but many pipe makers in the US recommend the ones from American Smoking Pipe Co. ([[Mark Tinsky]]). Available from [http://www.amsmoke.com/Services/PipeKit.html The American Smoking Pipe], or from [[Tim West]] (J.H. Lowe) available from [http://www.jhlowe.com/briar.htm J.H.Lowe]. Kits are also available from  [http://www.pipemakers.org/ Pipe Makers Emporium] and also available in eBay stores [http://stores.ebay.com/GreatGoodsRUS GreatGoodsRUS]. In '''Denmark''' kits available from [http://shop.hermanns.dk/group.asp?group=54 P.E.Hermann]. In '''Norway''' kits available from [http://www.pipe-maker.com/ubuild.htm Tabago].  
Pimo[http://www.pimopipecraft.com] offers kits, but many pipe makers in the US recommend the ones from American Smoking Pipe Co. ([[Mark Tinsky]]). Available from [http://www.amsmoke.com/Services/PipeKit.html The American Smoking Pipe], or from [[Tim West]] (J.H. Lowe) available from [http://www.jhlowe.com/briar.htm J.H.Lowe]. Kits are also available from  [http://www.pipemakers.org/ Pipe Makers Emporium] and eBay stores [http://stores.ebay.com/GreatGoodsRUS GreatGoodsRUS] and [http://stores.ebay.com/Vermont-Freehand_pre-drilled-briar-pipe-kits_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ17QQftidZ2QQtZkm Vermont Freehand]. In '''Denmark''' kits available from [http://shop.hermanns.dk/group.asp?group=54 P.E.Hermann]. In '''Norway''' kits are available from [http://www.pipe-maker.com/ubuild.htm Tabago].


=== Basic Tools ===
=== Basic Tools ===
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