Carving bead rings in bent bulldog/rhodesian

[kingcobradude]

I am wanting to start making my own pipes, and repairing a couple I already have, and one of the pipes I want to make is a bent bulldog/rhodesian. I just don't know how I would carve the bead lines. If I tried to use a lathe, the shank would just be snapped off by the shank. Any helpful advice?

 

[peanubutter]

Have a look at a bow compass or regular compass with a pencil attached and secured at an angle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass_(drawing_tool)

 

[riff raff]

Definitely use a lathe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAxBnKaUjLE

 

[huffelpuff]

I'll make the suggestion of using a small Allen wrench to make the tool in the video from. Its already hardened and roughly the correct shape. Just sharpen it back to where it will fit the pipe you're working on and find a way to attach it to your equipment.

Jim