How To Tighten A Pipe Stem ?

[velveteagle]

I have an older pipe I really enjoy. The stem fits into the shank a tad loose. Its a round shape that fits the stem into the shank. What is a good way to make it a bit bigger without having to stick a piece of tissue paper next to it after cleaning to keep the stem a tighter fit. I have been pondering this and thought others at the BoB may have a neat trick for this.. Thanks...
Chuck.. :?:

 

[jhuggett]

Never done it but read that if it's vulcanite you warm the end in hot water until it becomes a little soft then push it on a hard surface to compress it a tad.

 

[Muddler]

I use nail varnish - the harder the better - to build up the stem. Piet hates it & uses the heat & push down method. But I've never really got that one right.

 

[jhuggett]

I actually just did a search on youtube and there are some videos that show what looks like a good method. Basically heat it up and push the smooth end of a drill bit that's just a hair bigger than the hole.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AbZOvjXI0y4" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[velveteagle]

I use nail varnish - the harder the better - to build up the stem. Piet hates it & uses the heat & push down method. But I've never really got that one right.

Thanks .. The nail varnish is a great idea.. I will view the You Tube later jhuggett when I have free bandwidth time.. I have a Dish and they limit ya to 200 MB a day except for between 2am-7am.. Thanks again..
Chuck..

 

[MisterE]

Just a little superglue on the tenon will do the trick. Get some that has a little brush and put a THIN coat and let it dry thoroughly BEFORE putting it back in the pipe. Works for me...

 

[Kapnismologist]

Heat and push with the right sized bit or nail, but BE VERY CAREFUL - it is a delicate operation. I have done it successfully numerous times, but have also cracked a tenon or two as well.

If it is a pipe you really care about or which has some value, you may just want to send it out rather than being forced to send it out later to replace a broken tenon.

 

[Anonymous]

Heat and push with the right sized bit or nail, but BE VERY CAREFUL - it is a delicate operation. I have done it successfully numerous times, but have also cracked a tenon or two as well.

If it is a pipe you really care about or which has some value, you may just want to send it out rather than being forced to send it out later to replace a broken tenon.

That is my first option in the workshop, but kap is right, be very careful, try beeswax around the tennon that works well, heatinng and resizing is best left to the experts.
I am of the impressionthat things are cooling down round your neck of the woods. It is not uncommon for stems to be a little looser in winter than in summer due to changes in temp.

If it is really loose, I suggest giving LL a shout, I am more than willing to assist bro but I live half way round the world.

 

[Smoker99]

I have used the clear nail polish method several times with success. It is reversible if you screw up, and the only method I am not afraid to use.

 

[velveteagle]

I have used the clear nail polish method several times with success. It is reversible if you screw up, and the only method I am not afraid to use.

Smoker99 I think I will play it safe and use the Clear Nail polish method.. Safer and the stem can be cleaned off again if needed.

Yep Piet now that you say it things are cooling down.. I think I will be fine without the heat method.. Leave that to the pro's down the road if I need it. Its warming up big time here today.. Last good day they say before the hard fall moves in.. Thanks for your kindness..
Chuck..
P.S. This capture was in the late summer .. Beautiful piece of nature that stopped for me to share with my camera..

 

[Natch]

Just a little superglue on the tenon will do the trick. Get some that has a little brush and put a THIN coat and let it dry thoroughly BEFORE putting it back in the pipe. Works for me...

I was supposed to let it dry first?!? Now you tell me...

Natch

 

[Justpipes]

Awesome photo Eagle! My mother use to make ballerinas out of those and we always called them Ballerina plants. It is actually a Passion flower. They don't grow as wild around here anymore.

 

[skaukatt]

If you really want an unobtrusive approach, or as I call it the path of least resistance (least aggressive), get yourself a block of bees wax, found in most any crafts store like Michael's or A.C. Moore - found next to the candle making items - break a small piece off - the remainder will last you a lifetime and can be used to apply to meerschaums for coloring - and rub the bees wax on the tenon. Smoke the pipe. Incredibly this works to correct a stem that is too loose or too tight.

You can use the other methods mentioned whereby you heat the tenon and either push a slightly larger drill bit end into it or even more aggressive, press it against a smooth flat surface but realize this, if you are ever so slightly off you will put a bulge and bend in that tenon that may prevent you from ever getting it back in or at the least a less that flush fit when re-assembled. It's your call but you should try the bees wax method before getting more aggressive.

Lou

 

[Anonymous]

I have used the clear nail polish method several times with success. It is reversible if you screw up, and the only method I am not afraid to use.

Smoker99 I think I will play it safe and use the Clear Nail polish method.. Safer and the stem can be cleaned off again if needed.

Yep Piet now that you say it things are cooling down.. I think I will be fine without the heat method.. Leave that to the pro's down the road if I need it. Its warming up big time here today.. Last good day they say before the hard fall moves in.. Thanks for your kindness..
Chuck..
P.S. This capture was in the late summer .. Beautiful piece of nature that stopped for me to share with my camera..

VE my man........once again a killer pic you took there!!
Brilliant, if you are still battling give me a shout bro!!!!

 

[Falconer]

I was told a little viagra would make the stem swell up. I tried it but it didn't work so I tossed it all in the river. The draw bridge was up for four hours.

 

[velveteagle]

I was told a little viagra would make the stem swell up. I tried it but it didn't work so I tossed it all in the river. The draw bridge was up for four hours.

:lol!: :lol!: :lol!: Okay I needed that one Falconer.. Reminds me of a radio station some lady is yelling Up and Adam.. You sure your not growing your own blends ?? Have a good night. Thanks.. :cheers:
Chuck

 

[Kapnismologist]

So this thread got me to thinking earlier this evening.

A while back I purchased a small Wally Frank dublin (marked J.R. Special 14) - a lovely little estate, save the stem was a bit loose. Interestingly enough, the problem was a slight bulge in the middle of the tenon. That is, inserted half way into the mortise it fits tight, but when fully inserted is a bit loose. Because the heat-and-expand method was not an attractive option for this particular situation, I asked my wife if she had any clear nail polish. Sure enough, she did. Applied a thin coat on the thinner portion of the tenon, let set, and voila - perfecto.

Smoking some Peretti's Oxford Flake in it as I type.

 

[Anonymous]

I was told a little viagra would make the stem swell up. I tried it but it didn't work so I tossed it all in the river. The draw bridge was up for four hours.

Dude you on which planet again.......... :lol!: :lol!:
ROTFL............. :lol!:

 

[Hermit]

I got one stuck in my throat.
I still have a stiff neck.

 

[Anonymous]

I got one stuck in my throat.
I still have a stiff neck.

Jump up and down brother, it may seat in the right place!!