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Pipe Making (view source)

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'''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 can sell in the upper price ranges, let alone ultra high grades. Those that do have this very unusual talent or gift and, to reach this level, have dedicated a great deal of time developing them, as well as invested 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--often pipe smokers are not addicted to smoking, but I know very few pipe makers that are not 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 can sell in the upper price ranges, let alone ultra high grades. Those that do have this very unusual talent or gift and, to reach this level, have dedicated a great deal of time developing them, as well as invested 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--often pipe smokers are not addicted to smoking, but I know very few pipe makers that are not addicted to pipe making!


=== Materials and Supplies ===
==== 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 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.
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.
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It is wise to refrain from investing in expensive tooling until you have made your first few pipes. A good start on basic tools:
It is wise to refrain from investing in expensive tooling until you have made your first few pipes. A good start on basic tools:


  Hand drill(variable speed, plug-in)
Tools needed to complete a pipe kit:
  Buy or build a jig that will enable you to clamp the drill to your work bench or table.  
  1. Electric Hand drill(variable speed 3/8" or larger)*
  then it can  be used with affordable accessories as a disk sander, and a buffer.  
    1.1 Buy or build a jig that will enable you to clamp the drill to your work bench or table.  
  Files(Nicholson makes nice file sets at affordable prices. One can never have too many files of   
    1.2 Flexible 3" to 5" sanding disk and arbor, and assorted grit sandpaper.
various sizes, shapes and cuts).  
    1.2 At least 2 6" buffing wheels and arbors, buffing compounds, Carnuba wax.**
  Sandpaper(150, 220, 320, 400, 600, 800+ is optional)
  2. Files(Nicholson makes nice file sets at affordable prices. One can never have too many files of   
  Coping saw
    various sizes, shapes and cuts). A round chain saw file is also very handy.
  Eye protection and respirator
  3. Sandpaper(150, 220, 320, 400, 600, 800+ is optional)
  4. Coping saw for rough shaping
  5. Eye protection and respirator or dust masks.


* The electric hand drill and accessories is optional. It saves a lot of time, and can be used for many other things should pipe making not be an ongoing interest. Still, it's amazing who much one can do with just files, sandpaper, and elbow grease.
** It is best to use only one type of compound on each buffing wheel. Ideally it is good to have four. Two muslin ones for compounds, one muslin one for applying the Carnuba wax, and one flannel wheel for the final buff.
 
'''Note:''' The above tools are very adequate for working with pipe kits. If you're planning on drilling the stummel (briar block) and then fitting the stem to the block, you will also want either a more elaborate jig for mounting your hand drill, such as is described in the Pimo book, a drill press (drill press frames for holding your hand drill would also work), or a lathe. In addition you will need to buy or make tobacco chamber bits, and buy drill bits for drilling the mortise and airway.
'''Note:''' The above tools are very adequate for working with pipe kits. If you're planning on drilling the stummel (briar block) and then fitting the stem to the block, you will also want either a more elaborate jig for mounting your hand drill, such as is described in the Pimo book, a drill press (drill press frames for holding your hand drill would also work), or a lathe. In addition you will need to buy or make tobacco chamber bits, and buy drill bits for drilling the mortise and airway.
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