So, I'm a cheapskate (DIY pipe repair)

And I hate to pay shipping on pipes.

I can't easily get to a B & M for a new pipe.

I don't have a lot of room to publicly display pipes, nor do I want to, as I'm only a newbie yet, so I hate to buy replacements in bulk and leave them lying out.

I smoke cheap mini-cobs.

Knowing all this, in cleaning my pipe last night, I drove a hole through the putty. I plugged it with a cotton ball, and I mean tightly. I cut the protruding wisps off, and shaved it smooth, kept compressing it down flat.

I haven't smoked it yet, but before I sacrifice the tobacco, do you think it will work? I likened it to smoking a cigarette down to the filter; it's not going to do any true damage, right?

Points for creativity, or am I just pathetic for trying?