My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover

BamBam · 04-11-2014, 07:23 PM

I wanted to share this little beauty I brought back from the grave. While recently surfing the bay, and telling my self the whole time "you already have too many, why are you on here", I came across a listing. The listing was for a "smocking pipe", yep, I know I'm not the only one who gets excited with a misspelled pipe listing with blurry pics. As experience would tell us, I got it for a little over a dollar, and with shipping it set me back about 7 dollars.

It got in today and besides thick cake and grime all over, I could see the gem underneath. Although it was described as a no name, it turned out to be a "London Crown". Not much info on these pipes, but some say they are a Hardcastle, which is a second by Dunhill. I could see that with the shape and finish.

I put this baby through a full refurb, I'm talking full refinish, shellac, buffing, reaming, salt/alcohol treatment, retort, pipe mud to fill a suspect internal hairline crack, draft hole redrill, sand/smooth the rim, tighten tenon, the whole nine...nay, the whole nineteen yards. After the makeover though, she is a beauty which I will smoke with pride.

I would also appreciate if someone could shed some light on the "London Crown".

Before and afters...

BamBam · 04-11-2014, 07:23 PM

She is a looker...

Nathan · 04-14-2014, 07:06 PM

The transformation is really impressive!

Zane · 04-14-2014, 07:23 PM

Amazing transformation!

YankeeMan · 04-14-2014, 07:25 PM

What did you use?

BamBam · 04-14-2014, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YankeeMan

What did you use?

Not one thing in particular, it is a long, complicated process with many products and methods.

CRIMPS · 04-15-2014, 02:56 PM

Well done! Something to be proud of, for sure.

Subvet642 · 04-15-2014, 03:36 PM

Bravo-Zulu! Nice job.

Sweet_Leaf_PDX · 04-18-2014, 03:57 PM

that is a great restoration!

CoffeeWaterBeer · 04-30-2014, 10:58 AM

Wow! ace job on this one, she's a beaut.

TXSmokey · 05-28-2014, 05:58 PM

nice! ever thought of restoring pipes for a living, or at least for extra cash to spend on more pipes?

AdamJoshua · 05-28-2014, 06:35 PM

That's amazing, not knowing what I'm talking about, but seems you do really first class work, well not work seems it's more a labor of love. Great pipe

TXSmokey · 06-02-2014, 05:49 PM

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/london-crown-pipe
check this out

cjhalbrooks · 06-02-2014, 06:32 PM

Wow great job.

WaRevo · 08-30-2014, 05:49 PM

It is always nice to have a Good Subject for working. Very good pipe and great restore job.

8zeros · 08-30-2014, 11:13 PM

Nice, nice, nice. My Pappy and Grand-pappy were pipe smokers and had pipes like this. I wish I had known something about it before they got rid of all the stuff. Who knew that pipes could be restored so nice. I still may take up a pipe someday.

04-11-2014, 07:23 PM	#1
BamBam Just Pipin' Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,299 Trading: (37)	My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover I wanted to share this little beauty I brought back from the grave. While recently surfing the bay, and telling my self the whole time "you already have too many, why are you on here", I came across a listing. The listing was for a "smocking pipe", yep, I know I'm not the only one who gets excited with a misspelled pipe listing with blurry pics. As experience would tell us, I got it for a little over a dollar, and with shipping it set me back about 7 dollars. It got in today and besides thick cake and grime all over, I could see the gem underneath. Although it was described as a no name, it turned out to be a "London Crown". Not much info on these pipes, but some say they are a Hardcastle, which is a second by Dunhill. I could see that with the shape and finish. I put this baby through a full refurb, I'm talking full refinish, shellac, buffing, reaming, salt/alcohol treatment, retort, pipe mud to fill a suspect internal hairline crack, draft hole redrill, sand/smooth the rim, tighten tenon, the whole nine...nay, the whole nineteen yards. After the makeover though, she is a beauty which I will smoke with pride. I would also appreciate if someone could shed some light on the "London Crown". Before and afters...

04-11-2014, 07:23 PM	#2
BamBam Just Pipin' Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,299 Trading: (37)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover She is a looker...

04-14-2014, 07:06 PM	#3
Nathan Still Watching My Back Join Date: May 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 197 Trading: (4)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover The transformation is really impressive!

04-14-2014, 07:23 PM	#4
Zane Have My Own Room Join Date: Aug 2012 First Name: Zane Location: Noblesville, IN Posts: 1,508 Trading: (23)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover Amazing transformation! __________________ COO BlindMan's Puff

04-14-2014, 07:25 PM	#5
YankeeMan Just moved South Join Date: Nov 2011 First Name: Rick Location: Tarboro, NC Posts: 108 Trading: (0)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover What did you use? __________________ "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"

04-15-2014, 02:56 PM	#7
CRIMPS Benn/Seguin best friends Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Zach Location: North Texas Posts: 1,520 Trading: (50)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover Well done! Something to be proud of, for sure.

04-15-2014, 03:36 PM	#8
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover Bravo-Zulu! Nice job. __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

04-18-2014, 03:57 PM	#9
Sweet_Leaf_PDX Feeling at Home Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Jason Location: Portland, OR Posts: 605 Trading: (11)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover that is a great restoration!

04-30-2014, 10:58 AM	#10
CoffeeWaterBeer Critiquing Perique Join Date: Sep 2012 First Name: Seth Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 779 Trading: (13)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover Wow! ace job on this one, she's a beaut.

05-28-2014, 05:58 PM	#11
TXSmokey huh Join Date: May 2014 First Name: Richard Location: huh Posts: 150 Trading: (1)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover nice! ever thought of restoring pipes for a living, or at least for extra cash to spend on more pipes?

05-28-2014, 06:35 PM	#12
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover That's amazing, not knowing what I'm talking about, but seems you do really first class work, well not work seems it's more a labor of love. Great pipe

06-02-2014, 05:49 PM	#13
TXSmokey huh Join Date: May 2014 First Name: Richard Location: huh Posts: 150 Trading: (1)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/london-crown-pipe check this out __________________ Support the Troop Support Contest 2014!!!

06-02-2014, 06:32 PM	#14
cjhalbrooks I am behind you. SHHHHH Join Date: Dec 2011 First Name: Cory Location: Under a Bridge, trying to find the troll who stole my soul. Posts: 1,370 Trading: (20)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover Wow great job. __________________ GMCGTPWHAF Tennessee Chapter. Down with the bloody BIG HEAD

08-30-2014, 05:49 PM	#15
WaRevo Still Watching My Back Join Date: Aug 2014 First Name: James Location: North Central Oregon Posts: 172 Trading: (2)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover It is always nice to have a Good Subject for working. Very good pipe and great restore job.

08-30-2014, 11:13 PM	#16
8zeros What's this button do? Join Date: Dec 2013 First Name: Roger Location: Far from everything Posts: 268 Trading: (0)	Re: My 7 dollar "Smocking Pipe" makeover Nice, nice, nice. My Pappy and Grand-pappy were pipe smokers and had pipes like this. I wish I had known something about it before they got rid of all the stuff. Who knew that pipes could be restored so nice. I still may take up a pipe someday. __________________