Drilling Low

[alfredo_buscatti]

I just bought a pipe, and the drilling is a little low. When the cleaner enters the bowl, it calls attention to a slight depression in the bottom, just at the draught hole; the cleaner then rises a bit during the path from the hole to the far side.

I don't think this will hurt how it smokes, but it might; and as the price was mid-range I'm wondering if it is over-cautious to return it unsmoked? Maybe I bought the previous owner's problem?

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I can deal with a too-high drilling, sometimes it's just a few layers of pipe mud. Done it a few times, works ace. I hate too-low drilling. Inevitably, something gets in there that shouldn't, disrupts air flow, then causes condensation (which, of course mainlines to the draft hole), and the downward spiral begins. Except for adding a "nest" of rubbed out tobacco at the bottom to act like a "brillow pad" (as Yak has called it) to help filter smaller pieces, I haven't found a solution to fixing a too-low drilling. I've been really pleased with cubing flake tobacco as of late, and with a too-low, it's a no-way.

8)

 

[Ocelot55]

If the pipe is made properly drilling that is too low shouldn't matter. I have several pipes that have low drilling and they smoke just fine. If it bugs you though, I would return it.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I guess it's worth mentioning/considering talking about "how low is too low." I have two pipes, one meer and one briar, that are both have the draft hole from the stem under the tobacco chamber, cut almost like a flute mouthpiece that then drops into the airway. Really problematic at times and requires specific tobacco prep to get to smoke alright (mostly obstruction problems).

If it's just "at the bottom," then I agree with Ocelot.

8)

 

[s.ireland]

If the pipe is made properly drilling that is too low shouldn't matter. I have several pipes that have low drilling and they smoke just fine. If it bugs you though, I would return it.

^^This is exactly what I was planning to say... From what I've seen, lower drilling seems to be quite common with the higher end Italians. To be honest, my pipes that are drilled that way seem to smoke driest for me. All my Dunhills smoke very well but the last portion of the bowl is simply different... If rushed, I'll end up with a bit of a damp heel. The Italian pipes with the lower drilling don't seem to require any caution. Just puff away!

However, low is one thing; too low is something entirely different...

 

[Kyle Weiss]

However, low is one thing; too low is something entirely different...

...thanks to my ignorance in early pipe purchasing... :x :x :x *sigh* Oh well.

8)

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

It's not drilled all that low. It is drilled low enough so that the bottom of the chamber angles up slightly; you can see it when you insert a cleaner all the way to the far wall. In fact it was this angling that alerted me to the problem. And when the cleaner is removed you can see a small round depression just in front of the draft, where, it seems to me, the maker compensated.

It's a Ferndown REO Pot with a cumberland stem. I love it but if because of it the pipe smokes irritably, I won't be happy; I love it but not enough to eat $125.00.

Loving the pipe, if it doesn't smoke well, maybe the answer is to have it repaired. A little deepening of the chamber should do it. Doesn't sound very expensive.

 

[Ocelot55]

Sounds like you just need to smoke it for a few weeks and see. To tell the truth, all poor smoking pipes I've had have one thing in common: sucky stems. I'd say a well made stem contributes more to the smoking characteristics than many think.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Sounds like you just need to smoke it for a few weeks and see. To tell the truth, all poor smoking pipes I've had have one thing in common: sucky stems. I'd say a well made stem contributes more to the smoking characteristics than many think.

This.

Also, seems silly, but before purchasing a pipe, I now remove the stem and shine a light in the airway from the shank to the bowl. The light inside the bowl can tell me angle, if there's much (if any) obstruction or drilling problem, and has been a good test. Kind of like shining a light down the barrel of a gun--light doesn't lie. I like to see an oblong-but-round patch of light inside the bowl. If I can't get any light to shine in the bowl, I scrutinize more with a pipe cleaner. It won't tell you of any stem problems, but those I can usually deal with if a problem comes up.

It's another reason why I really prefer buying pipes in person.

8)

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

Tarek Manadily, I think, started the practice of shining a light through a pipe; I saw some pipe guy from Smokingpipes at a pipe show do this, borrowing the practice. As you say light doesn't lie. I think it's a good practice.

I don't usually ask too many questions anymore when buying a pipe off the internet. I prefer like you to examine it in person and return it if need be.

 

[Briar Boy]

If it's slight I wouldn't worry about but if it really deep I would return it.

 

[Sasquatch]

Sounds like you just need to smoke it for a few weeks and see. To tell the truth, all poor smoking pipes I've had have one thing in common: sucky stems. I'd say a well made stem contributes more to the smoking characteristics than many think.

Agreed.

 

[Anonymous]

What Kyle said. The first time, before he started being agreeable.

In spades.

Hand-drilling the cake out that chokes the draft hole every month is a big enough hassle as it is. When the tip of the drill's running into the bottom of the bowl, :evil:

:cat: :face: :study:

 

[cigrmaster]

I am of the school that if I spend money on a pipe, I expect it to be drilled properly. I will not accept anything less and I would return the pipe. It is something that will be in your head every time you smoke it and it could easily give you a lousy smoke. I would not smoke it and find out if it smokes well or not unless the seller is willing to let you try it and return it if you are unhappy.

 

[PreppyHippy]

Sounds like you just need to smoke it for a few weeks and see. To tell the truth, all poor smoking pipes I've had have one thing in common: sucky stems. I'd say a well made stem contributes more to the smoking characteristics than many think.

Agreed.

I agree here too. I've got a meer with this problem, as well as I understand the problem from the description, and it's no big deal. There's frequent condensation in even the best of pipes and we deal with it there and sounds like this loved pipe will just be joining all the other best pipes when you've got it in rotation.

 

[Hermit]

I guess it's worth mentioning/considering talking about "how low is too low." I have two pipes, one meer and one briar, that are both have the draft hole from the stem under the tobacco chamber, cut almost like a flute mouthpiece that then drops into the airway. Really problematic at times and requires specific tobacco prep to get to smoke alright (mostly obstruction problems).

If it's just "at the bottom," then I agree with Ocelot.

8)

I have a couple worse than that. Parkers.
The draft hole is at the bottom of the bowl
like the drain in a sink. A piece of tobacco
always gets stuck in the hole and running
a pipe cleaner doesn't help at all. :x

 

[Mikem]

Depending on how low it is, could you take a piece of sandpaper and lightly sand the bottom of the bowl until it was just right. The pipes that drive me mad are the ones that the drilling is too high. Not much you can do with them except maybe some pipe mud.

 

[cigrmaster]

[/quote]

I agree here too. I've got a meer with this problem, as well as I understand the problem from the description, and it's no big deal. There's frequent condensation in even the best of pipes and we deal with it there and sounds like this loved pipe will just be joining all the other best pipes when you've got it in rotation.[/quote]

PreppyHippy, I will have to respectfully disagree that even the best of pipes have frequent condensation. I have 14 pipes in my collection that have never needed a pipe cleaner to soak up excess moisture even one time. This includes the countless times that I have smoked my pipes while waking my dogs in the summer humidity of Florida. There are many artisans who through the use of quality briar, great stem work and excellent drilling, make pipes that never need a pipe cleaner.

 

[PreppyHippy]

PreppyHippy, I will have to respectfully disagree that even the best of pipes have frequent condensation. I have 14 pipes in my collection that have never needed a pipe cleaner to soak up excess moisture even one time. This includes the countless times that I have smoked my pipes while waking my dogs in the summer humidity of Florida. There are many artisans who through the use of quality briar, great stem work and excellent drilling, make pipes that never need a pipe cleaner.

Cigrmaster,
An interesting point for me to note well, which I will do. Perhaps it is variables like my packing, my smoking out- or in-doors, how much I break up flake, or how much I forget my bowl as I puff, but for me my smoking can be as I describe and I always have pipe cleaners with me for a run through with any pipe.

I note your point because I'd be a fool not to think about it. I'm sure other readers of this thread on a low drilling will now be thinking over whether or not they use a cleaner in their best pipes, and which pipes, best or not, take fewer or zero cleaners, and if those zero-cleaner pipes might be considered a best pipe even if not of a highly praised brand. But perhaps readers will think best about how their experience can help the original poster think about the drilling of his new pipe, rather than going further into whether any pipes, good pipes, good taste delivering pipes, or any pipes one loves or should love, take zero pipe cleaners.

But I take your point and will be thinking about it, with thanks too, Cigrmaster.

 

[Anonymous]

Much if not most of the time I figure needing to use a cleaner is my fault.

Granted, many older pipes have airways that invite condensation.

:cat: :face: :study: