Pipe stem dilemma

RevSmoke · 07-21-2016, 10:48 PM

OK, I bought my son a churchwarden. Everything was great till the other day.

First off, he's never been able to get a pipe cleaner through from the bit - for whatever reason (but he never told me). So, the other day he tried to put a pipe cleaner in from the tenon and got it in too far - so he tried to push it through by using another pipe cleaner. Now, it is about 2" into the stem and cannot be reached from either end.

I have exhausted my ideas as to how to get this out. I am not a pipe repair guy.

Anybody have suggestions? Or can help if I send them the stem?

mhailey · 07-21-2016, 10:58 PM

Bailing wire? Push it through

AdamJoshua · 07-22-2016, 12:55 AM

I was going to say a paperclip, the larger clips have a decent diameter and you could hopefully push though. Or like Matt said bailing wire.

RevSmoke · 07-22-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhailey

Bailing wire? Push it through

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJoshua

I was going to say a paperclip, the larger clips have a decent diameter and you could hopefully push though. Or like Matt said bailing wire.

First thing I did was try a paper clip. I could feel the pipe cleaner, but not move it.

Tried some wire, that do not work either.

Am wondering if there is some sort of obstruction that is previous to this happening.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

mhailey · 07-22-2016, 08:09 AM

What about a strong magnet (rare earth) on the outside of the stem to pull it back the way it was pushed in? I don't know how well it would work if it has been forcibly lodged in from the prior attempts

stevieray · 07-22-2016, 08:53 AM

Do you have access to an air compressor? Maybe a few blasts of air through the stem might dislodge the pipe cleaner.

Subvet642 · 07-22-2016, 04:51 PM

This guy made a stem for my favorite Chacom Alpina 28 and it came out perfect! I have no connection other than the work he did for me.

http://www.walkerpiperepair.com/index.html

WhiteMamba · 07-22-2016, 06:26 PM

Along the same lines as Steve did you try blowing it out like a blow dart?

Col. Kurtz · 07-23-2016, 11:06 AM

Todd, the only thing I can think of is if you can find a piece of tubing smaller than the ID of the stem and slightly larger than the wire in the pipe cleaner. Slide the tube over the pipe cleaner to capture the bristles and loosen it. Perhaps? Maybe a tube with a stop in it to surround the cleaner and push it from the base? I'd probably try to wet it and blow it out with compressed air first though.

In any case, good luck!

MarkinAZ · 07-23-2016, 04:41 PM

If what Jerry has mentioned above doesn't work, or using a wire coat hanger, or paper clip unraveled, I would just send it to a pro to resolve:

Tim West comes to mind:

http://www.jhlowe.com/tobacco_pipe_repairs.htm

You could simply give him a call to discuss prior to mailing the pipe to him. Don't know what the quality of the churchwarden is, but it may come down to replacing the stem period.

Hopefully, your son will use "churchwarden" pipe cleaners next time, or if he did, a little patients goes a long way in cleaning a churchwarden stem (and using a bit of whiskey/bourbon usually helps too)

That's my

Good Luck brother...

WhiteMamba · 07-25-2016, 05:40 PM

The suspense is killing me. How have things turned out Rev.?

MarkinAZ · 07-25-2016, 06:01 PM

He may be out fishing Michael

RevSmoke · 08-02-2016, 04:34 PM

I haven't done anything with it yet. It is beyond my work. I have tried numerous things. I am thinking the draft hole was not the best to begin with...

I am thinking a professional.

WhiteMamba · 08-03-2016, 12:32 AM

I hope it works out for you rev. This reminds me of the time my dad got the ball stuck at the end of his black powder rifle before he put the powder in. It was a real pain and we ended up going to a professional to have it fixed. Not fun and slightly embarrassing

RevSmoke · 11-17-2016, 09:59 PM

Sent it to Lee vonErck who did a wonderful job getting it fixed up for him.

Dave128 · 11-18-2016, 03:21 PM

WhiteMamba · 11-18-2016, 07:43 PM

Glad you got things sorted out. I was wandering what ended up happening.

croatan · 11-18-2016, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteMamba

I hope it works out for you rev. This reminds me of the time my dad got the ball stuck at the end of his black powder rifle before he put the powder in. It was a real pain and we ended up going to a professional to have it fixed. Not fun and slightly embarrassing

I did that when I was a kid, too. Super embarrassing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

Sent it to Lee vonErck who did a wonderful job getting it fixed up for him.

Good deal!

07-21-2016, 10:48 PM	#1
RevSmoke Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Todd Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin Posts: 6,848 Trading: (51)	Pipe stem dilemma OK, I bought my son a churchwarden. Everything was great till the other day. First off, he's never been able to get a pipe cleaner through from the bit - for whatever reason (but he never told me). So, the other day he tried to put a pipe cleaner in from the tenon and got it in too far - so he tried to push it through by using another pipe cleaner. Now, it is about 2" into the stem and cannot be reached from either end. I have exhausted my ideas as to how to get this out. I am not a pipe repair guy. Anybody have suggestions? Or can help if I send them the stem? __________________ Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"

07-21-2016, 10:58 PM	#2
mhailey Splitter of Hairs Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Matt Location: out west Posts: 492 Trading: (21)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma Bailing wire? Push it through __________________ Never try and teach a pig to sing. It frustrates you and irritates the pig.

07-22-2016, 12:55 AM	#3
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma I was going to say a paperclip, the larger clips have a decent diameter and you could hopefully push though. Or like Matt said bailing wire.

07-22-2016, 08:09 AM	#5
mhailey Splitter of Hairs Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Matt Location: out west Posts: 492 Trading: (21)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma What about a strong magnet (rare earth) on the outside of the stem to pull it back the way it was pushed in? I don't know how well it would work if it has been forcibly lodged in from the prior attempts __________________ Never try and teach a pig to sing. It frustrates you and irritates the pig.

07-22-2016, 08:53 AM	#6
stevieray Just slacking off Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: CT Posts: 721 Trading: (42)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma Do you have access to an air compressor? Maybe a few blasts of air through the stem might dislodge the pipe cleaner. __________________

07-22-2016, 04:51 PM	#7
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma This guy made a stem for my favorite Chacom Alpina 28 and it came out perfect! I have no connection other than the work he did for me. http://www.walkerpiperepair.com/index.html __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

07-22-2016, 06:26 PM	#8
WhiteMamba I'm scared of Neil. Join Date: Mar 2014 First Name: Michael Location: Catawba, NC Posts: 2,135 Trading: (28)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma Along the same lines as Steve did you try blowing it out like a blow dart? __________________ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

07-23-2016, 11:06 AM	#9
Col. Kurtz Have My Own Room Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jerry Location: South Appleton Posts: 1,839 Trading: (26)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma Todd, the only thing I can think of is if you can find a piece of tubing smaller than the ID of the stem and slightly larger than the wire in the pipe cleaner. Slide the tube over the pipe cleaner to capture the bristles and loosen it. Perhaps? Maybe a tube with a stop in it to surround the cleaner and push it from the base? I'd probably try to wet it and blow it out with compressed air first though. In any case, good luck! __________________ Artillery Lends Dignity to What Would Otherwise Be a Vulgar Brawl

07-23-2016, 04:41 PM	#10
MarkinAZ Formerly MarkinOR Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 6,221 Trading: (40)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma If what Jerry has mentioned above doesn't work, or using a wire coat hanger, or paper clip unraveled, I would just send it to a pro to resolve: Tim West comes to mind: http://www.jhlowe.com/tobacco_pipe_repairs.htm You could simply give him a call to discuss prior to mailing the pipe to him. Don't know what the quality of the churchwarden is, but it may come down to replacing the stem period. Hopefully, your son will use "churchwarden" pipe cleaners next time, or if he did, a little patients goes a long way in cleaning a churchwarden stem (and using a bit of whiskey/bourbon usually helps too) That's my Good Luck brother... __________________ "Don't worry, God will work out His plan for your life..." Psalm 138 8

07-25-2016, 05:40 PM	#11
WhiteMamba I'm scared of Neil. Join Date: Mar 2014 First Name: Michael Location: Catawba, NC Posts: 2,135 Trading: (28)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma The suspense is killing me. How have things turned out Rev.? __________________ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

07-25-2016, 06:01 PM	#12
MarkinAZ Formerly MarkinOR Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 6,221 Trading: (40)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma He may be out fishing Michael __________________ "Don't worry, God will work out His plan for your life..." Psalm 138 8

08-02-2016, 04:34 PM	#13
RevSmoke Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Todd Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin Posts: 6,848 Trading: (51)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma I haven't done anything with it yet. It is beyond my work. I have tried numerous things. I am thinking the draft hole was not the best to begin with... I am thinking a professional. __________________ Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"

08-03-2016, 12:32 AM	#14
WhiteMamba I'm scared of Neil. Join Date: Mar 2014 First Name: Michael Location: Catawba, NC Posts: 2,135 Trading: (28)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma I hope it works out for you rev. This reminds me of the time my dad got the ball stuck at the end of his black powder rifle before he put the powder in. It was a real pain and we ended up going to a professional to have it fixed. Not fun and slightly embarrassing __________________ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

11-17-2016, 09:59 PM	#15
RevSmoke Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Todd Location: Northcentral woods of Wisconsin Posts: 6,848 Trading: (51)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma Sent it to Lee vonErck who did a wonderful job getting it fixed up for him. __________________ Todd__ "Smoke what you like, and enjoy it!"

11-18-2016, 03:21 PM	#16
Dave128 Sexy Dave Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Voorheesville, NY Posts: 3,922 Trading: (4)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin I "heart" Boobies and Beer!

11-18-2016, 07:43 PM	#17
WhiteMamba I'm scared of Neil. Join Date: Mar 2014 First Name: Michael Location: Catawba, NC Posts: 2,135 Trading: (28)	Re: Pipe stem dilemma Glad you got things sorted out. I was wandering what ended up happening. __________________ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10