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== Maintenance == | == Maintenance == | ||
Not handy with tools, yet want to restore an old pipe? Rich Esserman wrote an excellent article that may be just the thing: [[Try this at Home]] | *Not handy with tools, yet want to restore an old pipe? Rich Esserman wrote an excellent article that may be just the thing: [[Try this at Home]] | ||
*In addition to the information bellow, check out [https://www.smokingpipes.com/information/howto/cleaning.cfm How to Clean Your Pipe (Smokingpipes.com)] | |||
=== Reaming === | === Reaming === | ||
After a pipe has been smoked for a long time its cake may become so thick that it significantly reduces the capacity of the bowl. In very extreme cases, an overly thick cake may actually crack the bowl due to differential expansion. Ideally, the cake should not exceed one-sixteenth of an inch (about 1.5 mm) or so. When the cake exceeds this thickness, it should be carefully reamed. Some pipe tools have a blunt-pointed (to prevent gouging of the bowl bottom) knife blade for this purpose. While these will work, it is very easy to trim the cake unevenly or even inadvertently dig into bare wood. Numerous adjustable, multibladed reamers are available commercially, and these will do a much neater job. A favored tool for this task--suggested by pipe maker extraordinaire JT Cooke--is nothing more than a series of short wooden dowels of varying diameters that are wrapped with fine grit emery cloth or sandpaper. Whatever device you choose to use, work slowly and carefully so as not to damage your pipe. The idea is to gradually shave the cake down to the proper thickness, not scrape it out in chunks. If you have more than the usual number of thumbs, you might want to take the pipe to your tobacconist, who will usually perform this task for a nominal fee. | After a pipe has been smoked for a long time its cake may become so thick that it significantly reduces the capacity of the bowl. In very extreme cases, an overly thick cake may actually crack the bowl due to differential expansion. Ideally, the cake should not exceed one-sixteenth of an inch (about 1.5 mm) or so. When the cake exceeds this thickness, it should be carefully reamed. Some pipe tools have a blunt-pointed (to prevent gouging of the bowl bottom) knife blade for this purpose. While these will work, it is very easy to trim the cake unevenly or even inadvertently dig into bare wood. Numerous adjustable, multibladed reamers are available commercially, and these will do a much neater job. A favored tool for this task--suggested by pipe maker extraordinaire JT Cooke--is nothing more than a series of short wooden dowels of varying diameters that are wrapped with fine grit emery cloth or sandpaper. Whatever device you choose to use, work slowly and carefully so as not to damage your pipe. The idea is to gradually shave the cake down to the proper thickness, not scrape it out in chunks. If you have more than the usual number of thumbs, you might want to take the pipe to your tobacconist, who will usually perform this task for a nominal fee. | ||
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If you do manage to remove the stem, place some sort of dry lubricant, such as graphite (from a soft pencil) or wax, on the tenon and attempt to reinsert the stem. If this does not provide satisfactory results, you will need to remove a small amount of material from the tenon. Wrap some very fine (400 grit or so) sandpaper or some "O" or finer grade steel wool around the tenon and twist the stem gently. Work very slowly and carefully, and check the fit frequently until it is satisfactory. | If you do manage to remove the stem, place some sort of dry lubricant, such as graphite (from a soft pencil) or wax, on the tenon and attempt to reinsert the stem. If this does not provide satisfactory results, you will need to remove a small amount of material from the tenon. Wrap some very fine (400 grit or so) sandpaper or some "O" or finer grade steel wool around the tenon and twist the stem gently. Work very slowly and carefully, and check the fit frequently until it is satisfactory. | ||
== Professional repair videos == | |||
[[File:George Dibos.jpg|thumb|George Dibos, [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWQlM1pWKqd5prZTdEDANZg/playlists High Grade Pipe Repair and Restoration Playlists]]]Reknown pipe repairman, George Dibos has been doing an excellent series on high grade pipe repair, which can be seen on Youtube. Here is a link to his playlists including the various procedures he has videod so far: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWQlM1pWKqd5prZTdEDANZg/playlists George Dibos High Grade Pipe Repair and Restoration Playlists]. | |||
== Professional repair shops == | == Professional repair shops == | ||
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===U.S.=== | ===U.S.=== | ||
'''Bear Briar''' - Thomas (Bear) Tessier, Website: http://www.bearbriar.com/ Address: 3452 Mendocino Ave., Suite C, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Phone: 707.545.0701, Fax: 707.545.2440 E-mail: tom@bearbriar.com. | |||
''' | '''Briar Pipe Repir''' - David Smith has 30 years experience repairing tobacco smoking pipes since 1986. He has repaired pipes for tobacco shops big and small for years around Indiana and takes pride in his work. And has a fast turn around. Briar Pipe Repairs, 127 W. Hendricks St. , Greensburg IN 47240. Phone: 812-614-6278. E-mail: briarpiperepairs@gmail.com. Website: [http://www.briarpiperepairs.com/ Briarpiperepairs.com] | ||
''' | '''Briarville Tobacco Pipe Repair and Restoration''', ''"Pipe Repair and Close as Your Mailbox"'' - Briarville is the prefered shop at TPC/GPC, serving the online pipe community, brick and mortars and smoking pipe enthusiasts in the United States and abroad. 2773 West Division St. Hermitage, TN 37076. Telephone: 615-957-7582. Read our customer reviews at [http://www.briarville.com Briarville.com], [mailto:ric@joecasepipes.com E-mail] - Briarville is the repair and restoration shop at [http://www.joecasepipes.com Joe Case Pipes]. You may enjoy listening to Brian Levine's interview with Ric Farrah of Briarville Pipe Repair on the [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-277/ Pipes Magazine Radio Show] | ||
'''Mary Ann Keller''', owner of the American Smoking Pipe Repair Company [http://www.americansmokingpiperepairs.com/index.html] and who has mad skills, now does her considerable magic for online vendor E.A. Carey. [http://www.eacarey.com/piperepair.html website]. Mary Ann can be emailed directly at mailto:mak11@ptd.net <br> | |||
'''George Dibos''' began collecting, refurbishing, and repairing pipes in the 1970's as hobby, and went full time in 2007. He now has the most comprehensive dedicated repair shop in the United States. To control demand/workload he no longer accepts blind mail-ins, but asks that work requests be made via phone, usually with emailed photos and discussion to follow. His specialties are high grade collectables, and technically difficult repairs that require high precision and specialized tools. He can be reached at (816) 605 1341. In 2018 he also started making and uploading repair and restoration videos to YouTube to assist hobbyists and other professionals. Here is a link to his playlists including various procedures: [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWQlM1pWKqd5prZTdEDANZg/playlists George Dibos High Grade Pipe Repair and Restoration Playlists]. | |||
*You may also enjoy listening to Brian Levine's interview with George on [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-154/ The Pipes Magazine Radio Show] | |||
'''Norwood's Pipe Repair''', 1160 Norwood Lane, Clifton, Tennessee 38425, (731) 925-1836. [mailto:flnpipes@yahoo.com E-mail], [http://www.norwoodspiperepair.com/ Website] Floyd Norwood is the repairman of choice for numerous pipe and tobacco shops throughout the U.S. and is known for his quality work, fast turn around time and prices that are often 1/3 that of his competitors. Floyd also crafts quality freehand pipes as a hobby which can be purchased at his website. | |||
'''[[Ronni Bikacsan]]''' does excellent pipe repairs and alterations. Contact information: NightOwl Pipe Works, E-mail: mailto:rbpipeworks@gmail.com PLEASE NOTE: website says Ronni is not taking new customers. | |||
'''Schulte's Pipe Repair''' is the best around! They are the only authorized repair shop in the U.S. for Dunhill pipes. | '''Schulte's Pipe Repair''' is the best around! They are the only authorized repair shop in the U.S. for Dunhill pipes. | ||
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All work is done by mail order, but call first. Your pipe will be like new! | All work is done by mail order, but call first. Your pipe will be like new! | ||
''' | '''Stem & Briar LLC.''', owned by James Connelly, operates a small estate pipe shop, and restoration business. Offers several estate pipes, racks and accessories for sale as well as pipe repair and rejuvenation services. Address - 9211 S. Nicholson Rd., Oak Creek, WI 53154; Phone: 414-949-7473; E-mail: stemandbriar@gmail.com . [http://www.stemandbriar.com Website] | ||
'''[[ | '''[[Tim West]]''' owner of '''J.H.Lowe''', has been a Briar Pipemaker and a Pipe Repairman since 1975. Address - 1588 Grayling Ct., Columbus, OH 43235-5950; 614-761-3465; E-mail mailto:info@jhlowe.com . [http://www.jhlowe.com/ J.H.Lowe Main Website] [http://www.jhlowe.com/tobacco_pipe_repairs.htm Repairs Page] | ||
''' | '''Walker Pipe Repair, LLC''', 1210 Franklin Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Telephone: 734-945-1691. Dave Wolff restored and repaired pipes for more than 40 years before turning the business over to Mike Myers, who now owns and operates the business. He sells a Vulcanite Stem Restoration Kit (which works)on his website, and Walker Briar Works, the other side of the business, carries hand finished Lucite and Vulcanite 'Forever' Stems for Corn Cob Pipes. [mailto:mike@walkerpiperepair.com E-mail], [http://www.walkerpiperepair.com/ Website] | ||
''' | '''Wall's Pipe Repair''', 12 S. Main St., Mansfield, OH (419-522-6218) [http://www.wallspiperepair.com/home.html Website] | ||
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REPAIR SHOPS NO LONGER ACTIVE (or not offering repairs): | |||
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''' | '''E Pipe Repairs''', 144 Linebrook Road, Ipswich, Ma. 01938. [mailto:johnips@comcast.net E-mail], [http://www.epiperepairs.com/ Website] PLEASE NOTE: this site is down; 404 not found. | ||
''' | '''Jo Barnfield''', manager of '''Monarch Pipe Company''' made and repaired pipes for E.A. Carey for many years.<br> | ||
PLEASE NOTE: Jo retired in January 2015 and no longer does repair work. | |||
''' | '''Randy Krempp''' did repairs and refurbishing and has an excellent reputation.<br> | ||
PLEASE NOTE: no contact information found. Please update with any additional information. | |||
''' | '''Raphael Estate Restoration''', owned by Raphael Fiedler, offering repair and restoration of all manner of pipes. On facebook at Raphael Estate Restoration, by email to damnedatom@gmail.com, via mail to 125 Fort Charles Drive, Supply, North Carolina 28462, or by telephone to (631) 816-5886. <br> | ||
PLEASE NOTE: Mr. Fiedler retired November 2015 and no longer does repairs. | |||
''' | '''Restoration Pipe Repair''', owned by Frank Storm. We have just learned that Frank is now retired and no loonger doing pipe repair work. | ||
''' | '''Scott Bundy''', [mailto:scott@piperestore.com E-mail] <br> | ||
PLEASE NOTE: Website URL is now an attack site. Please update with any additional information. | |||
''' | '''Shane Slayton''' - 73 Hill Top Church Rd. Glenwood, AR 71943 - Repairs broken tenons at a ridiculously low price. For the most part a hobbyist, who learned out of necessity, his work is a great alternative to replacement stems. Usually around 5 bucks. scorpio2billion@yahoo.com <br> | ||
PLEASE NOTE: Mr. Slayton passed away in May 2015. | |||
''' | '''Smokers' Haven''', 2106 N. High St., Columbus, OH (614-299-2442) [http://www.smokershaven.com/ Website] <br> | ||
PLEASE NOTE: according to Mr. Premal Chheda, Smokers Haven no longer does repair work. | |||
''' | '''Starfire Pipe Works''' owned by Howard Rasmussen. PLEASE NOTE: No more pipe work being accepted. Howard still does laser engraving, however, and will engrave pipes. E-mail: info@starfireengraving.com. [https://starfireengraving.com/ website].<br> | ||
''' | ===Canada=== | ||
'''[[Blatter & Blatter]]''' - 375 President Kennedy ave., Montreal Quebec H3A 0B3. Tel: 514-845-8028: In business since 1907, make their own tobacco blends & pipes, and are the only pipe-oriented tobacconist in Montreal. http://www.blatterpipes.com/ | |||
'''Before-n-After-Pipes''', Pipe repairs and services,1178 phillips suite 420,Montreal,Quebec 514-554-1756 | '''Before-n-After-Pipes''', Pipe repairs and services,1178 phillips suite 420,Montreal,Quebec 514-554-1756 | ||
[mailto:michael@evokedistribution.com E-mail] | [mailto:michael@evokedistribution.com E-mail] | ||
[http://www.bnapipes.com/pages/contact.html Website]<br> | [http://www.bnapipes.com/pages/contact.html Website]<br> | ||
PLEASE NOTE: Site and email address no longer operational. Please update with any additional information. | |||
''' | '''[https://rebornpipes.com/ Reborn Pipes]''': Steve Laug of Reborn Pipes has recently started refurbishing and repairing pipes for customers, as well as for resale. You can hear an excellent interview Brian Levine did with Steve on the [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-197/#more-10028 Pipes Magazine Radio Show] | ||
''' | ===UK & Europe=== | ||
'''Reborn Briar Estate Pipes''' - Reborn Briar offers pipe restoration services, from a clean and polish to a complete restore and refinish. They also offer a large range of fully restored pipes for sale in their online shop [http://www.estatepipeshop.co.uk/ Reborn Briar Estate Pipes], [mailto:admin@estatepipes.co.uk E-mail] - Reborn Briar is a TPC/GPC preferred vendor. - 56 Hillview Road, Carrickfergus, BT38 8GY. Tel: 07950-131631 [http://www.estatepipeshop.co.uk/ http://www.estatepipeshop.co.uk/] | |||
'''Baard Hansen''' Tabago Pipemaker of Bergen Norway. Repair and restoration [http://www.pipe-maker.com/pipe-repair.htm] Mail box: Tabago pipemaker, PO Box 18, Birkebeinersenteret, N-5831 Bergen.Phone: +47 41 02 08 80 | |||
''' | [mailto:tabago@pipe-maker.com E-mail] [http://www.pipe-maker.com Website] | ||