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Pipe Making: Difference between revisions
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You just can't have too many options when it comes to drills and bits, or I guess any other tooling! Pipe making requires a combination of specialty or customized bits, and off-the-shelf drills. Even the off-the-shelf drills used are sometimes hard to find locally and must be ordered. | You just can't have too many options when it comes to drills and bits, or I guess any other tooling! Pipe making requires a combination of specialty or customized bits, and off-the-shelf drills. Even the off-the-shelf drills used are sometimes hard to find locally and must be ordered. | ||
==== Chamber Bits ==== | ==== Chamber Bits ==== | ||
This is a huge subject, and one that should perhaps split off into it's own article. Pipe makers use a variety of tobacco chamber bits, depending on the machines and techniques used. The three major categories are: | [[Image:S&Dbits.jpg|thumb|Modified S&D bits, courtesy [http://www.briarpipetooling.com/ Trent Rudat]]][[Image:spadebit.jpg|thumb|left|75px|Modified Spade bit, courtesy [http://www.pimopipecraft.com/tools.html Pimo]]][[Image:Eltang_spoonbits.jpg|thumb|Spoon bits, Courtesy [http://piapipes.com/product.asp?product=600&sub=48&page=1 PiaPipes (Eltnag)]]]This is a huge subject, and one that should perhaps split off into it's own article. Pipe makers use a variety of tobacco chamber bits, depending on the machines and techniques used. The three major categories are: | ||
#Spade type bits that have been specially ground are the easiest to acquire. They are inexpensive, and easy to make yourself by modifying off the shelf spade bits. [http://www.pimopipecraft.com/tools.html Pimo Pipecraft] and [http://www.jhlowe.com/tools.htm J.H. Lowe] both make modified spoon 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. | |||
==== Drills for mortise and draught holes ==== | ==== Drills for mortise and draught holes ==== | ||
Many pipes makers are using a 5/16" mortise, but will vary this according to the design of the pipe. The types of bit used vary depending on the technique employed and if the mortise is drilled before or after the draught hole. Options include: | Many pipes makers are using a 5/16" mortise, but will vary this according to the design of the pipe. The types of bit used vary depending on the technique employed and if the mortise is drilled before or after the draught hole. Options include: | ||