Latest Restoration - a Brigham 526 with a Headache

[ontariopiper]

Hi all,

I've just finished up my latest estate pipe restoration. This was easily one of the most challenging and time-consuming jobs I've undertaken in quite some time, so I thought I'd share the results.

The pipe, a bent bulldog shape, had been smacked down on something, which cracked the bowl right across the keel and sent spider cracks racing across the briar in all directions. For some unknown reason, I was the only bidder on the auction.....



And here's a shot of the bowl after restoration.



There was a ton of other work done on the pipe - the crack repair, obviously, rim work, stem work and repairs to the tobacco chamber - oh, and a complete refinishing. It was exhausting but worth it!



You can follow the complete restoration step by step HERE.

Thanks for looking.

 

[MisterE]

Bravo! :cheers:

Just curious, will the glue used on fixing the fissures hold up to heat while smoking?

 

[Richard Burley]

Awesome. Really. I have concluded after viewing your link that there is no pipe, regardless of how damaged, that can escape being restored once it falls into your hands, whether it wants to be or not.  

 

[ontariopiper]

Bravo! :cheers:

Just curious, will the glue used on fixing the fissures hold up to heat while smoking?

I've used JB to repair several pipes, including one in which the draft hole had completely burned through to the shank, and all have held up admirably so far. I am confident that they will continue to do so with reasonable use and care. Those who puff their pipes like steam trains are asking for burnouts anyway

The fissures in this case likely could have been repaired with traditional pipe mud, but I've kind of taken to the JB.

 

[ontariopiper]

Awesome. Really. I have concluded after viewing your link that there is no pipe, regardless of how damaged, that can escape being restored once it falls into your hands, whether it wants to be or not.  

Jeepers! Can I quote you on that, Mr Burley?!?

They don't all come out looking this good, but the Pipe Gods smiled on this one for sure. It took 60 or so other restorations to pummel the basics of glue, sandpaper and stain into my thick head, but they sure were a lot of fun. Those hard lessons on no-name basket pipes (and a few not-so-nameless ones) all came together to get this old 5-Dot Doggy back in action.

 

[Richard Burley]

Awesome. Really. I have concluded after viewing your link that there is no pipe, regardless of how damaged, that can escape being restored once it falls into your hands, whether it wants to be or not.  

Jeepers! Can I quote you on that, Mr Burley?!?

The quote is now yours, mon ami. I would suggest a modest engraved plaque with the quote hung over the entrance to your workshop.

 

[ontariopiper]

The quote is now yours, mon ami. I would suggest a modest engraved plaque with the quote hung over the entrance to your workshop.

D'you think foot-high neon lettering is too much? :lol:

 

[Stick]

The quote is now yours, mon ami. I would suggest a modest engraved plaque with the quote hung over the entrance to your workshop.

D'you think foot-high neon lettering is too much? :lol:

...if you've got it, flaunt it! And you Sir clearly have! Nicely done.

 

[ontariopiper]

Cheers, Stick!