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[[Image:pipemakers_logo.jpg|thumb|350px|]]The Pipe Making subsection of '''''Pipedia''''' serves as the Wiki home of [http://www.pipemakersforum.com/index.php the PipemakersForum.com]. Much of what appears here is gleaned from the Forum. We highly recommend reading and participation in the forum in addition to reading and contributing here. | [[Image:pipemakers_logo.jpg|thumb|350px|]]The Pipe Making subsection of '''''Pipedia''''' serves as the Wiki home of [http://www.pipemakersforum.com/index.php the PipemakersForum.com]. Much of what appears here is gleaned from the Forum. We highly recommend reading and participation in the forum in addition to reading and contributing here. | ||
New pipe makers | New pipe makers may find this chart helpful. Classic [[Pipe Shapes]], by Bill Burney: | ||
[[Image:teddy_shaping.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Teddy Knudsen]] shaping, courtesy Lars Kiel]] | [[Image:teddy_shaping.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Teddy Knudsen]] shaping, courtesy Lars Kiel]] | ||
== Getting Started == | == Getting Started == | ||
Many pipe makers in the US start out with a small | Many pipe makers in the US start out with a small book called [http://www.pimopipecraft.com/book.html Pimo's Guide to Pipe Crafting at Home]. While far from exhaustive, this small book offers many helpful tips on pipe making with minimal tooling. Also helpful is the article [[Pipe Making For The Rank Amateur]], by Bob Everett. [http://pipedia.org/docs/PipeDan_HobbyInstructions.pdf The Dan Pipe Hobby Catalog] has some good basic information as well. | ||
'''A Cautionary Note:''' Because some ultra high grade pipes sell for thousands of dollars, it is tempting for the uninitiated to think they may be able to get rich making pipes, or at least make a decent living. Relatively few pipe makers make their primary living as pipe makers, and it is a very small handful of pipe makers that sell in the upper price ranges. Those that do have unusual talents or gifts and have dedicated a great deal of time developing them. Most also invest a considerable amount of money in equipment and materials. Having said this, pipe making is great fun, and very rewarding in many ways, but be careful--most pipe smokers are not addicted to tobacco, but most pipe makers are addicted to pipe making! | '''A Cautionary Note:''' Because some ultra high grade pipes sell for thousands of dollars, it is tempting for the uninitiated to think they may be able to get rich making pipes, or at least make a decent living. Relatively few pipe makers make their primary living as pipe makers, and it is a very small handful of pipe makers that sell in the upper price ranges. Those that do have unusual talents or gifts and have dedicated a great deal of time developing them. Most also invest a considerable amount of money in equipment and materials. Having said this, pipe making is great fun, and very rewarding in many ways, but be careful--most pipe smokers are not addicted to tobacco, but most pipe makers are addicted to pipe making! | ||
'''Believing:''' "Damn the torpedoes, man, full speed ahead." | |||
==== Pipe Kits:==== | ==== Pipe Kits:==== | ||
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 the 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. | [[File:VF PipeKits.jpg|thumb|250px|Pipe Kits, courtesy [http://vermontfreehand.com/pipe-kits/ Vermont Freehand], ''Pipedia Underwriter'']]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 the 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. | 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. | ||
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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. The custom pipe kit makers will do the best they 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. The custom pipe kit makers will do the best they 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. | ||
[http://www.pimopipecraft.com Pimo] offers kits, but | [http://www.pimopipecraft.com Pimo] offers kits, but most pipe makers will recommend obtaining a kit from a pipe maker, such as Steve [[Norse]] at [http://vermontfreehand.com/pipe-kits/ Vermont Freehand], or American Smoking Pipe Co's. ([[Mark Tinsky]]), available at [http://www.amsmoke.com/Services/PipeKit.html The American Smoking Pipe], or from [[Tim West]] (J.H. Lowe), available at [http://www.jhlowe.com/briar.htm J.H.Lowe]. Kits are also available from [http://www.pipemakers.org/ Pipe Makers Emporium], Kim Kendall at [http://www.penguinbriar.com Penguin Briar]. | ||
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]. In '''Germany''' kits are available from [http://www.danpipe.de/ Dan Pipe]. | 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]. In '''Germany''' kits are available from [http://www.danpipe.de/ Dan Pipe]. | ||
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=== Morta === | === Morta === | ||
Morta is semi-fossilized wood. It is created when large trees are felled or overturned by geologic activity and become buried in an oxygen-limited fashion, usually in peat or clay. The wood is unable to rot normally so it begins the long process of fossilizing into stone. Morta is a generic term used to describe any semi-fossilized wood of this style. Morta is found in various locations across the globe, usually in marshlands or moors, and varies widely in its durability, age, and potential usefulness for pipe making. Trever Talbert is one of the pipe makers using Morta for one of his lines of pipes, and the morta he uses is from a local oak forest that covered the Briere area some 3,000+ years ago. Trever describes the process in the following article, [[Creating Pipes From Morta]] | Morta is semi-fossilized wood. It is created when large trees are felled or overturned by geologic activity and become buried in an oxygen-limited fashion, usually in peat or clay. The wood is unable to rot normally so it begins the long process of fossilizing into stone. Morta is a generic term used to describe any semi-fossilized wood of this style. Morta is found in various locations across the globe, usually in marshlands or moors, and varies widely in its durability, age, and potential usefulness for pipe making. Trever Talbert is one of the pipe makers using Morta for one of his lines of pipes, and the morta he uses is from a local oak forest that covered the Briere area some 3,000+ years ago. Trever describes the process in the following article, [[Creating Pipes From Morta]] | ||
=== Other Materials === | |||
Most pipemakers and collectors would probably agree that Briar (a term with considerable range) is the choice for tobacco pipes. Briar grain can be excellent aesthetically for the small-scale work that tobacco pipes are. Briar can also have other properties which are desirable, a sweet, mild, pleasant aroma when cured properly, and a resistance to burning. Still, some pipemakers use other materials, like Ebony (wood), African Blackwood, Morta (fossilized wood), and many other species of wood. | |||
The dust of most wood is an irritant and can sensitize. The dust from Beech, Hemlock, Oak, Oleander, Quebracho, Redwood, Sassafras, and Yew are listed as carcinogens, but little is known about their smoking properties. Although the exact origin of a particular block of briar is often unknown, the fact that it only seems to flourish in remote, mountainous areas, means it probably has less chance of being affected by the pollutants of industry and civilization, and briar has been used in pipemaking since about 1840 according to Rainer Barbi. | |||
I, personally, have seen no examples of European classical pipes made of Catlinite, the Red or Black "Pipestone" used by Native American (Indian) pipemakers. | |||
"It is believed that the Mayan people of Central America were among the first pipe smokers several thousand years ago and archaeologists have found pipes dating from around 2,000 B.C." (Source: http://www.bat.com/ ...British America Tobacco company) | |||
I have used Hard Maple, Black Walnut, and even sticks from the Photenia (Redtip) shrub for experimental pipes, and I also have smoked them regularly. These woods were merely cut and then dried thoroughly for several years. The characteristic smell and taste of each wood is distinctly noticeable when the pipe is first smoked. I smoke my pipes, perhaps too heavily, and once they are broken-in good, saturated with tar, and the bowls heavily caked, I don't notice much effect on the quality of the smoke? | |||
Also see the "[http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Materials_and_Construction#Alternative_Woods_Used_For_Pipe_making Alternative Woods Used For Pipe making] section in "Materials and Construction" | |||
=== Overview === | === Overview === | ||
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[http://www.chicagopipeshow.com/education/2007NanaIvarsson.ram Nana Ivarssen] | [http://www.chicagopipeshow.com/education/2007NanaIvarsson.ram Nana Ivarssen] | ||
Video processes [http://www. | Video processes [http://www.papaliapipe.com/it/processing Papalia pipe] | ||
Joel Shaperio (JS Pipes) has a nice photo essay of his [http://jspipes.com/PipeMaking/index.htm Pipe making process] | Joel Shaperio (JS Pipes) has a nice photo essay of his [http://jspipes.com/PipeMaking/index.htm Pipe making process] | ||
== Stems == | == Stems == | ||
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== Tooling == | == Tooling == | ||
=== Machines === | === Machines === | ||
[[File:VF TourretLathe.jpg|thumb|250px|A Tourret Lathe outfitted for pipe making, courtesy [http://vermontfreehand.com/ Vermont Freehand]]] | |||
Machines can be a huge asset while making pipes. Each pipe maker finds and refines their own methods, so the machines used vary greatly, but the following types of machines are common to professional and serious amateur pipe makers. | Machines can be a huge asset while making pipes. Each pipe maker finds and refines their own methods, so the machines used vary greatly, but the following types of machines are common to professional and serious amateur pipe makers. | ||
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#Silver and Deming (S&D) drills can also by specially ground for use as chamber bits. They tend to cut cleaner and faster than the modified spade tip bits. While possible to grind yourself, it is more difficult. Custom ground bits can be ordered, but they are considerably more costly than the modified spade bits. [http://www.lambpipes.com/pipemakingtools.htm Ken Lamb], and [http://www.briarpipetooling.com/ Trent Rudat] both make modified S&D bits. | #Silver and Deming (S&D) drills can also by specially ground for use as chamber bits. They tend to cut cleaner and faster than the modified spade tip bits. While possible to grind yourself, it is more difficult. Custom ground bits can be ordered, but they are considerably more costly than the modified spade bits. [http://www.lambpipes.com/pipemakingtools.htm Ken Lamb], and [http://www.briarpipetooling.com/ Trent Rudat] both make modified S&D bits. | ||
#Customized tobacco chamber bits that resemble spoon bits are used by many of the Danish pipe makers, and are now being used by many others. These are nearly essential for the shape first method that involves holding the previously shaped stummel in ones hands, and pushing it into the spinning bit. They can be difficult to get. PiaPipes ([[Tom Eltang]]) has them on their [http://piapipes.com/product.asp?product=600&sub=48&page=1 Website]. In the past, [[Brad Pohlmann]] a highly skilled machinist and pipe maker also made a batch of excellent chamber bits in this style. | #Customized tobacco chamber bits that resemble spoon bits are used by many of the Danish pipe makers, and are now being used by many others. These are nearly essential for the shape first method that involves holding the previously shaped stummel in ones hands, and pushing it into the spinning bit. They can be difficult to get. PiaPipes ([[Tom Eltang]]) has them on their [http://piapipes.com/product.asp?product=600&sub=48&page=1 Website]. In the past, [[Brad Pohlmann]] a highly skilled machinist and pipe maker also made a batch of excellent chamber bits in this style. | ||
Bur | Bur Bits are another type of bit which can be used to drill the chamber. Standard bur's having a 1/4 in. dia. shank will fit most any drill chuck and will drill holes with straight or tapered sides and rounded bottoms, perfect for pipe bowls. They are available up to 1 in. dia. round-ball shaped, and 3/4 in. dia. oval-egg, and tree w/radius end shapes and in other shapes and sizes at www.mcmaster.com (mfg. www.fullertontool.com) and some other tool suppliers. They drill very cleanly, except some spiral marking on the sides which can be sanded out, but they are very slow, and will burn the wood if you drill too fast. | ||
[[Image:Bur_bits-tn.jpg|thumb|Typical Bur Bits]] | [[Image:Bur_bits-tn.jpg|thumb|Typical Bur Bits]] | ||
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== Materials and Supplies == | == Materials and Supplies == | ||
[[File:VF Banner Smoke.png|thumb|link=http://vermontfreehand.com|500px|Many thanks to our friends at, [http://vermontfreehand.com/ Vermont Freehand], for their generous underwriting support]] | |||
'''CHINA''' | '''CHINA''' | ||
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[http://www.janzen-pfeifen.de/ Marco Janzen - Hermann von Appen]: Assorted Pipemaking Supplies. | [http://www.janzen-pfeifen.de/ Marco Janzen - Hermann von Appen]: Assorted Pipemaking Supplies. | ||
[http://www.pfeifenecke.de/ Pfeifenecke, Alles für Pfeifenbauer]: Assorted Pipemaking Supplies. | |||
[http://www.sem-hitzacker.de/ SEM]: Ebonite Rod | [http://www.sem-hitzacker.de/ SEM]: Ebonite Rod | ||
[http://www.nyh.de/ebonitwerkstoff.php New-York Hamburger Gummi-Waaren Compagnie AG]: Our Ebonite Rods can be processed in the area of smoking pipes and music instruments and for the production of writing instruments and jewelry. E-Mail: mailto:vertrieb@nyhag.de | |||
'''GREECE''' | '''GREECE''' | ||
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[http://www.achaiki-amadeus.gr/briaren.html Amadeus Pipes]: Greek Briar | [http://www.achaiki-amadeus.gr/briaren.html Amadeus Pipes]: Greek Briar | ||
[https://spoon-bits.com/ Spoon-Bits.com]: Tools and kits for pipe makers. E-Mail: mailto:info@spoon-bits.com | |||
'''ITALY''' | '''ITALY''' | ||
[http://www.prestigepipe.com]: Volkan Pipe Clairmont Pipe | |||
[http://www.orimmetalli.com/ Orim Metalli]: Silver and other Metal manufacturing | |||
[http://www.hotfrog.it/Societa/VOLONTA-ANSELMO-A-S Volontà Anselmo a.s.]: Ebonite Rod | [http://www.hotfrog.it/Societa/VOLONTA-ANSELMO-A-S Volontà Anselmo a.s.]: Ebonite Rod | ||
[http://www.romeobriar.com/main.html Romeo Briar]: Italian Briar | [http://www.romeobriar.com/main.html Romeo Briar (Mimmo)]: Italian Briar | ||
[http://www.calabriapipe.com/it/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,10/Itemid,3/ Calabria Pipe]: Italian Briar | [http://www.calabriapipe.com/it/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,10/Itemid,3/ Calabria Pipe]: Italian Briar | ||
[http://www.laradicasrl.it/ La Radica Srl]: Italian Briar | [http://www.laradicasrl.it/ La Radica Srl]: Italian Briar | ||
[http://www.giordanobriar.com/en/ Domenico Giordano]: Italian Briar | |||
[http://www.briar-pipe.it/index.php Briar Pipe (Manno)]: Italian Briar | |||
'''SPAIN''' | '''SPAIN''' | ||
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[http://www.geocities.com/solerpipas/ Jean Pierre Soler]: Spanish Briar | [http://www.geocities.com/solerpipas/ Jean Pierre Soler]: Spanish Briar | ||
[http://www.bruken.es/bruken/index.html Sucesores de Emilio Navarro, S.L.]: Spanish Briar | |||
'''USA''' | '''USA''' | ||
[http:// | [http://www.amsmoke.com/ American Smoking Pipe Co.]: owned & operated by [[Mark Tinsky]] | ||
[http://www.jhlowe.com/supplies.htm J.H.Lowe]: owned & operated by [[Tim West]]: Briar; Pipe Kits; Rod - Vulcanite & Acrylic/Lucite; Preformed Stems - Vulcanite & Acrylic/Lucite; Shank Repair Bands; Finishing Products - Buffs, Compounds, Abrasives, Stains, Wax; Machine Parts - Tenon Cutters, Arbors, Sanding Discs, Mortise Drill; Tools - Drills, Taps, Spade, Bits; Miscellaneous - Bone Screws, Delrin Tenons, Teflon Push Sets, Top Bowls, Bamboo, Calabash Bowls. | [http://www.jhlowe.com/supplies.htm J.H.Lowe]: owned & operated by [[Tim West]]: Briar; Pipe Kits; Rod - Vulcanite & Acrylic/Lucite; Preformed Stems - Vulcanite & Acrylic/Lucite; Shank Repair Bands; Finishing Products - Buffs, Compounds, Abrasives, Stains, Wax; Machine Parts - Tenon Cutters, Arbors, Sanding Discs, Mortise Drill; Tools - Drills, Taps, Spade, Bits; Miscellaneous - Bone Screws, Delrin Tenons, Teflon Push Sets, Top Bowls, Bamboo, Calabash Bowls. | ||
[http://www.vermontfreehand.com Vermont Freehand], owned and operation by Steve Norse E-mail: mailto:stevenorse@gmail.com . Steve also runs a store on eBay, but it is best to contact him directly for the best price. He has Briar from Italy and Algeria, Ebonite from several suppliers, bamboo, pre-made stems, pipe kits, and other tools and supplies for making pipes. | |||
[http://www.pipecrafter.com/ Pipecrafter]: Owned and operated by Kurt '''[[Huhn]]'''. Pipe Kits, Motor Arbors, Sanding Pads. | [http://www.pipecrafter.com/ Pipecrafter]: Owned and operated by Kurt '''[[Huhn]]'''. Pipe Kits, Motor Arbors, Sanding Pads. | ||
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[http://www.penguinbriar.com Penguin Briar]: Pipe Kits, custom drilled to customer specs using good quality Algerian Briar. | [http://www.penguinbriar.com Penguin Briar]: Pipe Kits, custom drilled to customer specs using good quality Algerian Briar. | ||
[http://www.pimopipecraft.com Pimo]: Pipe Kits, tools, supplies & the book, [http://www.pimopipecraft.com/book.html "Pimo's Guide To Pipe Crafting At Home"] | |||
[http://www.pipemakers.org/ Pipe Makers Emporium]: Algerian Briar; Preformed Stems - Ebonite, Cumberland & Acrylic/Lucite; Rod - German Vulcanite & Acrylic/Lucite; Finishing Products, Bands, Tennons, Stain, Tools, Motors. Everything for the Pipe Repair person and Carver. | [http://www.pipemakers.org/ Pipe Makers Emporium]: Algerian Briar; Preformed Stems - Ebonite, Cumberland & Acrylic/Lucite; Rod - German Vulcanite & Acrylic/Lucite; Finishing Products, Bands, Tennons, Stain, Tools, Motors. Everything for the Pipe Repair person and Carver. | ||
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[http://www.masecraftsupply.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? Masecraft Supply Company]: Assorted Natural & Alternative Stem, stem insert, shank extension materials. | [http://www.masecraftsupply.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? Masecraft Supply Company]: Assorted Natural & Alternative Stem, stem insert, shank extension materials. | ||
A & M Steel Stamps | A&M Steel Stamps, Custom Stamps for pipe makers: Paul Argendorf, Phone: 516-741-6223, Email: amsteelstamp@optonline.net | ||
[http://www.steelhandstamps.com/index.html Buckeye Engraving]: Custom Stamp Maker used by some U.S. pipe makers | |||
[https://www.infinitystamps.com/collections/wood-stamps Infinity Stamps, Inc.]: E-mail: inquiries@infinitystamps.com, Phone: 818-576-1188, Fax: 818-576-1166, Address: 8577 Canoga Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91304, U.S. | |||
[http://mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_core.html MLCS] Core Box and Round Nose bits for boring tobacco chamber. | [http://mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_core.html MLCS] Core Box and Round Nose bits for boring tobacco chamber. | ||
[http://www.lambpipes.com | [http://www.lambpipes.com Ken Lamb]: Chucks, Bits, Cutters, etc. | ||
[http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/index.html Caswell]: Buffing supplies. | [http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/index.html Caswell]: Buffing supplies. | ||
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Mark [[Yingling]] [mailto:yinglingm@verizon.net,] Machinist and Pipemaker, [http://public.jwh.fastmail.fm/images/Bison1.jpg made these chuck jaws]. | Mark [[Yingling]] [mailto:yinglingm@verizon.net,] Machinist and Pipemaker, [http://public.jwh.fastmail.fm/images/Bison1.jpg made these chuck jaws]. | ||
[http://www.americanartplastics.com/ American Art Plastics] Celluloid • Casein • Bakelite • Hard Rubber (Ebonite) • Acrylic | |||