Pipe Making Directions - Page 3

Making the stem

photo of the sumac, plane and knife

Stem: Your choice of wood – stem length is usually three times the length of the pipe bowl.

A plane and a knife are needed for this part of the work

This wood is sumac, although ash is dealt with in the same manner.

The knife is used to remove the bark. Once cut you can see the grain of the wood. Sumac is used for fancy stems as well as plain because of the unusual grain. Plane down to the level you need and then shape the two ends using the knife to whittle down one end for the smokers mouth part and the other for the fitting to the pipe bowl. The knife and file are used to fit stem to bowl.

Use sandpaper to finish off rounding the stem if needed or to just smooth it.

 wood being planed on one side
wood has been planed both sides stem id now taking shape

My choice of wood is sumac – the soft core is burned out by using a straightened coat hanger wire. Heat the end of the wire until it is red hot and burn out the soft core. You need to keep bringing the wire out and reheating. Once it is burned through do it again to make sure the airway is cleared.


The smoking end

 photo showing the smoking end of the stem
showing the part that goes in the bowl

Once finished it can be decorated as you envision it or left plain. On a plain stem a touch of beeswax gives it a nice sheen.

 

The bowl end
the finished pipe finished pipe
The finished Pipe


Other wood: 1” thick and split in half – groove down the middle of one side and glue back together. Shape to your choice.

Back to the previous page

HOME PAGE or Chuck Derby Biography
Contact Information