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Pipe Making: Difference between revisions
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== Getting Started == | == Getting Started == | ||
Many pipe makers in the US | 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. | ||
''' | '''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 === | |||
==== 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. | |||
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. | |||
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]. | |||
=== Basic Tools === | === Basic Tools === | ||