Internal Stem Polishing

Joined : 18 Dec 2007 Posts : 118 Location : West Allis, WI

For anyone wondering if internal stem polishing improves the smokeability of a pipe, or if you just want to polish the internals, here is a quick and easy method.

Although other methods will give you better results, this will definately shine up the plumbing and smooth out those rough edges.

Get hold of a new pair of 1/4" wide shoelaces. If the stem bore is very narrow, a smaller size may be required.

Cut those plastic thingys off of both ends and apply a 1/2" long bead of thick or jel type superglue to the end of the shoelace. Thin s.g. dosen't work.
Firmly press the end of a pipecleaner over the glue and apply presure for about 20 seconds. A plastic baggie over your finger or thumb works well for this.

After the glue has cured, snip away the area of the shoelace outside of the yellow lines.

Clamp the end opposite from the pipecleaner in a vice, or tie it around a door knob, insert the pipecleaner from the tenon end of the stem and pull it through until you can grasp the shoelace. While keeping some tension on the shoelace, load it with tripoli or white buffing compound and slide the stem back and forth on the shoelace. About 20 or so strokes will produce a nice shine and if the airhole is flared at the button end, angle the stem about 45 degrees each way for a few strokes to clean up this area.

The shoelace will load up quickly and it's best to use a new one for each stem.

Mike

Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:48 am

Great tip PM, thanks
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Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:52 am

Learn something new every day. Smile

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Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:11 am

Great idea Mike! I just might try that.
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Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:45 am

I know that Brian Ruthenberg polishes the airways in his pipes. But for some reason I had pictured in my mind something that mounted to a lathe or drill. I never thought about a simple solution. Something I might be able to do on my yard pipes.
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Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:26 am

Thanks for that Mike. I'm definitely going to give it a try.
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Jason

Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:54 am

I remember someone (can't remember who, Joel maybe?) telling me that they would put a pipe cleaner loaded with tripoli in a drill or electric screw driver and polish the airway with that, then simply run an alcohol dipped cleaner through it to remove the compound after the polishing was done.
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Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:28 pm

Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:27 pm

Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:14 pm

Joined : 11 Dec 2007 Posts : 49

I think the polishing at the button is important because it's what's visible, and for transparent stems it is necessary to polish the whole length, but for appearance, not because it improves the smoke. There was a long discussion about this on ASP a few years back, I think Greg wrote fairly extensively. The method shown will indeed polish where the shoelace is constricted, but will do little further in. The rotating pipe cleaner, with a fine polishing media rather than buffing compound, is needed.

Jack

Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:16 pm

I would think that thick of a shoelace would have more surface contact than a pipe cleaner, through out the stem. Also can you use that method on a bent stem?
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Jason

Joined : 11 Dec 2007 Posts : 49

Ideally, all polishing will take place before the stem is bent. All I can say is give it a try with a transparent stem, that's the proof. However thick the thing carrying the polishing medium is, it will be compressed at the point of greatest restriction, which is where the vast majority of polishing will occur. Creating a corner at the button exit is an example of restriction, the polishing will occur at the inside of the bend. Looks like a really good idea for polishing the slot, don't get me wrong. Might work better than I expect on the tube, too, that has happened, and you can bet I'll try it. There's more to the pipe cleaner business, too, you have to start with a doubled cleaner at the bottom. If whatever carries the medium doesn't press against the wall, it can't cut.

Jack

Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:38 pm

Thanks Jack. It always amazes me how much detail there is to everything.
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Jason

Subject: Re: Internal Stem Polishing Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:50 pm

Reminds me of the old pull throughs you use on old WWI and WWII Enfield Rigles for cleaning the bores.
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Arizona, where the temperature is always warm but the pipe smoking is always cool. Mikem

I highly recommend Scott Bundy at www.piperestore.com for all of your pipe cleaning and restoration work.