Bought My First Really Sucky Pipe...

[user 2031]

I bought a pipe from an online retailer because I liked the way it looked. It arrived today and looked good in person, so without a pipe cleaner test or checking the draw, I loaded it up with some PS:LBF. I packed loosely and lit 'er up and soon realized that this pipe was not right. I fiddled with it every which way, laboriously smoked about a half a bowl and then had to dump it.

After cleaning it out, I started checking it out and realized how tight the draw was. Then I found that there was no way of passing a pipe cleaner. I finally separated the pipe from the stem and put a cleaner through to the bowl and ran the other end of the cleaner through the stem and reconnected. As I pulled back and forth on the pipe cleaner, I could tell that it was a bad, tight fit.

I wish I had checked it out proper before I smoked it, I would have definitely returned it. So, is there any way to fix this problem now? Any kind of pipe file or something I can run through it to open the draw? Or is there any company that fixes these kinds of problems? I paid $100 for the pipe, so I wouldn't want to pay another $100 to get it fixed... that would be worse than just taking the initial $100 loss, to me.

So anyone got any ideas?

 

[Briar Spirit]

Get hold of a drill bit hand vice, start using a 3mm drill bit or smaller still if the draught hole is that small and gently and slowly hand drill out the draught hole, move on to a 3.5mm than a 4mm bit, I like to go up as far as a 5mm with some pipes, depends how wide open I want the draw but 4mm is lovely.

Ensure you do no damage to the base of the tobacco chamber, just go slow and easy, there is no rush to get it done, wont take but a couple of minutes and you'll save yourself a few bucks, you'll find yourself opening up a few more pipes too once you see how easy it is to do for yourself. :sunny:

 

[RDPipes]

If the draw is too tight you may have to only open the stem up which you'll need the
proper sized tapper drill. Might be a good idea to tapper the end of the tenon also
to prevent gurgle.

 

[user 2031]

Thanks!

 

[bentbulldog]

I assume this is a bent pipe. ALL of my bent pipes need some tinkering with the cleaner to pass this test. If it's straight and you have to really SUCK at the pipe then the hole could use some expanding and Briar Spirits advice works well for that, works well on Bent pipes too but be carefull to align the draft properly, or you'll end up with 2 holes.
The other solution would be to try different blends. Depending on your puffing, you may find just the right marriage of Briar and Tobacco.

 

[user 2031]

Yes, it is a bent pipe. Nothing extreme though. I have an offer from someone with experience that is going to open it up for me and have decided to go that route. I appreciate the advice though, I may try to tamper with a cheap pipe when one comes into my possession. This time I feel better letting someone else work on it. Thanks for all of your help, fellas.

 

[SpeedyPete]

I like an OPEN draw and therefor I "drill" the shank to 4mm, right from the start. My test is to see if a pipecleaner, folded in half, can pass through the shank.   I use a vicegrip to hold the drill bit when I do the reaming.

I agree that you should not try to do this yourself. To mess with a $100 pipe won't be wise

 

[SpeedyPete]

Might be a good idea to tapper the end of the tenon also
to prevent gurgle.

Yes

 

[user 2031]

I know Ron is not the kind of guy that likes recognition, but I have to say something anyway. This pipe was a Karl Erik, great looking pipe, just was too constricted. I sent it to Cart and he opened the airway for me and worked some other magic that he does in his shop... anyway, he sent it back to me and it is like a whole different pipe. I'm sure this is how they would have intended this pipe to be. I've smoked about 6 or 7 bowls of Carter Hall in it and have absolutely no trouble. Easy draw, no gurgle, just a perfect smoke.

Thank you Cart for fixing this up for me. Hopefully, one day I will be able to return a kindness in some way.

 

[RDPipes]

Thank you Cart for fixing this up for me. Hopefully, one day I will be able to return a kindness in some way.

You being happy with the pipe is enough sir.