As you know I bought some estate pipes. The stems on them are realy old and kinda narley. Is there a formula or a secret to replacing them with somthing new? They both have the metal piston thing which I am not to keen on. Cleaning is going to be a pain in the you know what. So I would like to replace them. Any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.
Replacing Old Stem
- Thread starter RatMan
- Start date
Describe old and gnarly. Are they just heavily oxidized and ugly? If they are not broken or the bit worn through with deep bite marks, you can probably restore them yourself. Check out the restoration stickey by JWhite. The "piston" you refer to is probably what is referred to as a "stinger", a condenser, that threads into the stem and or shank. That may complicate stem replacement. Here is a source for replacement stems, I have not used them though. http://www.pipemakers.org/vulcanite01.html and another source http://www.pimopipecraft.com
The "piston" as mentioned above is a called a "stinger". Generally the concept of the stinger was a complete failure (it's supposed to collect the wetness from the smoke, thereby making for a cooler smoke), and most people either ditched the stinger, or sawed them off of the stem right away.
If your stem screws into the pipe, rather than being a standard push stem, then you options for replacement might be limited.
Depending on how important the pipe is too you, you can buy a stem cleaning kit (said to be good for 50 stems) from Walker Briar works for $20, or you can have the pipe sent off for repair at Walker Pipe Repair (which seems like a rather costly option, unless the pipe is somehow special too you).
The do it yourself options are probably endless though if you are willing to commit a little time, and elbow grease. There are many articles/ videos out there about pipe cleaning.
If your stem screws into the pipe, rather than being a standard push stem, then you options for replacement might be limited.
Depending on how important the pipe is too you, you can buy a stem cleaning kit (said to be good for 50 stems) from Walker Briar works for $20, or you can have the pipe sent off for repair at Walker Pipe Repair (which seems like a rather costly option, unless the pipe is somehow special too you).
The do it yourself options are probably endless though if you are willing to commit a little time, and elbow grease. There are many articles/ videos out there about pipe cleaning.
Here is a tutorial on pipe restoration:http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/196714-Pipe-Restorations-with-Pictures
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
If the bits don't screw into the shank the singers may be removable, although it may take a good high proof soaking to get them loose. Even if they are permanent stingers a hack saw fixes that. As nortac said as long as they are not broken it's not usually a big deal to restore them.
Tim West sells replacement stems but since there is no such thing as a stock replacement they will need to be fitted to the pipe this can involve cutting the tenon to the correct diameter to fit the mortise of each pipe. Without the tools you'll have to send the pipe out to someone like Tom or Walkers Briar works for a replacement.
Tim West sells replacement stems but since there is no such thing as a stock replacement they will need to be fitted to the pipe this can involve cutting the tenon to the correct diameter to fit the mortise of each pipe. Without the tools you'll have to send the pipe out to someone like Tom or Walkers Briar works for a replacement.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks all for the great information, I just know that it will help others as well. I Managed to clean two of them very well. they were not that bad to begin with but still dirty, once I cleaned them they look ok. Ill take a picture and let you all see.
well tell then thanks and keep on puffing
well tell then thanks and keep on puffing
- Thread starter
- #7
The one in front is the imported brier, the middle is the leather, and the back one Is really discusting but my favorite looking one.
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
What method did you use to clean them?
Is that the after pic? If so I'm willing to bet you can get those first 2 pretty close to black with some more work.
Is that the after pic? If so I'm willing to bet you can get those first 2 pretty close to black with some more work.
They all should clean up nicely unless there is some hidden serious defect. Good luck! It will take some elbow grease but is very doable. Get the Walkers stem restore kit.
Looks aren't everything when it comes to some items. The well used and worn items are sometimes the best working ones. 
That heavily oxidized one in the background would respond well to the 50/50 bleach water solution described in the stickies by JWhite. I just restored the stem of one of my ebay scores that was fairly gnarly, the primary aspect is to do an adequate progression of wet/dry sanding to achieve the desired smoothness followed by a polish with the Walkers stem restoration kit.
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- Thread starter
- #12
I'm going to try one tommorow to see if looks do not effect a smoke but I will revisit the restoration/cleaning to make them black again. i used Borax for teh initial soak then I scrubed them with alchohol and Qtips w/ pipe cleaners.
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
Hit them up with a Magic Eraser or a paper towel and toothpaste.
- Thread starter
- #14
Great suggestion I will get the erasers tonight. I smoked one this morning I wasn't Unhappy, it performed well but I think I smoked it fast because for the first time I had a pipe gurggle, mind you this is one with the stinger. I will continue to experment and def. get to cleaning those stems.
