Pipe restoration

[Mike H]

I picked up a really bad Savinelli for a restoration attempt.

Extreme cake, cracked bowl and oxidized stem

I started with a reaming tool, but eventually used a 7/8 spoon bit and just redrilled the tobacco chamber. Sanded the bowl to see what I had.

I used Aristocob Pipe mud on the inside of the bowl and superglue and briar dust on the outside to fill in the crack. The shank was in good shape so not much to do there. Sanded the bowl and stem to 1000 grit, then polished it up using polishing compound. A light stain, followed by Danish oil, then finally carnuba wax.

Before and After

 

[KellyG]

Good work! No wonder the pipe cracked with that much cake. I wonder how many smokes it takes to build up that much cake.

 

[brandaves]

You sir are a magician. Very well done Mike.

 

[karacha]

I wonder how many smokes it takes to build up that much cake.

Years. I always wondered what's so hard about cleaning your pipe.

 

[brandaves]

Years. I always wondered what's so hard about cleaning your pipe.

I always found it funny too. The generation that smoked them to hell is also the one that always told me, "take care of your tools and they will take care of you."

I guess pipes were viewed as disposable tools by some? I dunno, but I agree with you...I don't get it.

 

[gigadeath]

Good job!!

 

[RookieGuy]

You did a great job bringing that back to life, Mike H!

I too am really trying to imagine what brings a person to do that. Those last few smokes could not have been pleasant ones!