Peterson XL999 Kildare Restoration

[riff raff]

I was a busy boy this weekend, finishing five pipe restorations (two my own).

I've always been intrigued by the XL999 shape and relationship to the old and current 999. Mark Irwin did a nice job explaining the history of the shape transition. This was the first XL999 I've seen in person. I originally bought it to resell, but after it was done, well, you know the rest of the story.

Here are the restoration details:
https://rebornpipes.com/2016/10/30/peterson-xl999-kildare-restoration/

Before

Finished

And a group shot with my other two, pre-Republic 999's (Deluxe & Sterling).

 

[Brewdude]

Very kewl Al. The 999 is my favorite Pete shape!

8)


Cheers,

RR

 

[GuitarMyFriend]

Awesome job Riff Raff,
Quick question, what's your technique for removing char off the rim?
Thanks,
Zach

 

[riff raff]

Awesome job Riff Raff,
Quick question, what's your technique for removing char off the rim?
Thanks,
Zach

Thanks! Full details are in the Reborn Pipes blog entry, but basically, I just use water and a rag, then 2000 grade wet paper, followed by 8000 grade micromesh (then buff, etc.)

 

[ontariopiper]

Great job as usual, Al. The 999 has been on my radar for a while. Wish it came with a saddle stem, though. Much easier for me to clench.

 

[Stick]

Yes, looking good Al. Loving that chubbiness!

 

[GuitarMyFriend]

Thank you Riff Raff!
I'll be looking very closely at that blog entry over the next few weeks. I just bought a filthy Stanwell and a bench top buffer along with all the materials, (I hope), I'll need to start refurbishing! I may call upon you with questions if it isn't too much of a bother!
Zach

 

[riff raff]

No bother at all. Be careful with the buffer, they are stem edge and nomenclature erasure machines.

Thank you Riff Raff!
I'll be looking very closely at that blog entry over the next few weeks. I just bought a filthy Stanwell and a bench top buffer along with all the materials, (I hope), I'll need to start refurbishing! I may call upon you with questions if it isn't too much of a bother!
Zach

 

[GuitarMyFriend]

Thanks for the tip!
The one that I bought was rather cheap, but I figured to start would work fine. It's adjustable between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm. It will probably stay at 2,000 for it's life time.
Zach

 

[riff raff]

Perfect!

Thanks for the tip!
The one that I bought was rather cheap, but I figured to start would work fine. It's adjustable between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm. It will probably stay at 2,000 for it's life time.
Zach

 

[ontariopiper]

Thanks for the tip!
The one that I bought was rather cheap, but I figured to start would work fine. It's adjustable between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm. It will probably stay at 2,000 for it's life time.
Zach

This is my setup as well. Keep the RPMs down to 2000 and keep a good grip on the pipe. Even at low speed a buffer can throw a stummel or stem a good long way, and usually into a patch of gravel or something else guaranteed to undo all your sanding work! :shock:

I'll also suggest that you let the wheel do the work - pushing the piece into the wheel doesn't improve the results and risks having the wheel grab the piece or burn into a stem.

 

[riff raff]

Good advice. I usually hook a finger in the bowl to make sure it's not thrown.

Thanks for the tip!
The one that I bought was rather cheap, but I figured to start would work fine. It's adjustable between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm. It will probably stay at 2,000 for it's life time.
Zach

This is my setup as well. Keep the RPMs down to 2000 and keep a good grip on the pipe. Even at low speed a buffer can throw a stummel or stem a good long way, and usually into a patch of gravel or something else guaranteed to undo all your sanding work! :shock:

I'll also suggest that you let the wheel do the work - pushing the piece into the wheel doesn't improve the results and risks having the wheel grab the piece or burn into a stem.

 

[pipetrepid]

rr, more great resto work! bill