Clogged stem

I bought a used pipe at an antique shop and I'm trying to restore it. The stem is clogged like you wouldn't believe. I've tried a few things and haven't had any luck. Anyone's got a suggestion?

Two things come to mind, you could , but I have to ask first. Is it a straight or bent pipe, ans are you speaking of the stem, or bit? You could try a retort, or if it's straight enough, get a drill bit slightly smaller than the airway, and try running it through it using a pin vise or tap handle.

Acetone and bristly cleaners, but that will KILL the finish on any pipe, so be careful.

Sas, you think some bleach would weaken that vulcanite enough on the inside to ream it a nylon pipe cleaner? Open it up a little if its bent? I know bleach softens it to get rid of teeth marks.

I doubt it, but anything's possible. In my limited experience, these pipes are "tar babies" - just caked all the way through with tar, like they were smoked and repacked and smoked and repacked until they just stopped working. It's horrible to clean em out.

I had one once that was clogged.. I soaked it in alcohol for a while and used mechanics wire to ream it out. I think the mechanics wire was a bit thick for the stem but, I didn't care at the time. I was so frustrated with the darn thing...

YEAH! Thats what I was just thinking too! Something smooth but rough enough to just slide through and smooth the walls...(shut up pervs...)

Funny thing is I still haven't smoked it... It was one of the first pipes I bought off of the bay, when I was just getting into the pipes. A Dr. Grabow, I should try something in it this week.. maybe a little burley. It's a small bowl.

The pipe is a straight. Well, I'm not sure about pipe nomenclature, what is clogged is the pieve made of vulcanite, I thought it was called shank, I guess I should say mouth piece?

I'll have to try the pin vise.

What's a retort?

Parts of a pipe include the (1) bowl, (2) chamber, (3) draught hole, (4) shank, (5) mortise, (6) tenon, (7) stem, (8) bit (or mouthpiece), (9) lip, and (10) bore.


From "ye olde wannabe carvers handbook"...just in case I get confused about where the bowl is!

I forgot to ask, so just point to where the clog is...

Ok, so, the clog is inside the bore (10) right in the middle of the stem.

Ok, coupla things you can try...first if you have it, find a looooong drill bit no bigger than the opening of the lip opening (10) insert into the (6) tenon end and lightly give it a ream (drill power is prob ok here). The if you have it a round mini file and a drill bit the size of the file. You may need to drill the (6) end hole a little to open it up for the file. Insert the file and go at it til the tip of the file just pokes out of the (10) end. Maybe that will open it up for ya! Just be easy on all this cuz you can bind up the vulcanite in the airway and cause a crack in the stem...but it can be done with patience...

With a straight pipe you should be able to hold the stem up, and look through it in the light!

I've seen a very small zip-tie and Everclear work before. With that said, Archer and Sas are the pipe makers, so take my advise for what's it's worth

Well, hopefully the best solution is the one that doesnt require purchasing new tools...work with what you have...otherwise...you might just be a pipemaker...



PTAD...power tool aquisition disorder...

1/16" drill bit and spin it by hand until you open things up a bit, then go to bristle cleaners.

There you go.