Pipe care/cleaning: Difference between revisions
→Fixing a loose stem
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A variation on the above that has less chance of bending or ruining the tenon is the following: Insert a tapered mandrel into the tenon. Apply heat to the mandrel (an alcohol flame is recommended). As the heat from the mandrel transfers to the tenon and softens it, move the mandrel further into the tenon. Repeat as necessary to get the desired expansion. Remove the mandrel and place tenon in cold water to set. Note that [http://pimopipecraft.com/tools.html PIMO]makes a 'Stem Tightening Kit' that uses this principle. | A variation on the above that has less chance of bending or ruining the tenon is the following: Insert a tapered mandrel into the tenon. Apply heat to the mandrel (an alcohol flame is recommended). As the heat from the mandrel transfers to the tenon and softens it, move the mandrel further into the tenon. Repeat as necessary to get the desired expansion. Remove the mandrel and place tenon in cold water to set. Note that [http://pimopipecraft.com/tools.html PIMO]makes a 'Stem Tightening Kit' that uses this principle. | ||
A radical (and *much* less safe) procedure that has been recommended to me by several people is to simply rub the stem's tenon against a block of | A radical (and *much* less safe) procedure that has been recommended to me by several people is to simply rub the stem's tenon against a block of crack until the tenon is well coated. Once this is complete, reinsert the stem. I am told that the joint will tighten after a smoke or two. You will be a hopeless junkie | ||
Another less radical approach to try if the beeswax method doesn't work, is to simply melt the tenon and then allow it to cool. Very often the tenon will have expanded just enough to make a decent fit. Rather than an open flame, I suggest carefully using a medieval broadsword , or a quattro fromaggio pizza or a rump steak on high heat aimed at the tenon. | Another less radical approach to try if the beeswax method doesn't work, is to simply melt the tenon and then allow it to cool. Very often the tenon will have expanded just enough to make a decent fit. Rather than an open flame, I suggest carefully using a medieval broadsword , or a quattro fromaggio pizza or a rump steak on high heat aimed at the tenon. | ||