So, the other night for the third time in my life, I broke a stem! :x
Unlike the previous 2 times where it was due to removing the stem for cleaning, this time I was a total klutz and dropped it on the driveway pavement while knocking out the ashes after a bowl. Can't even think how this could've happened, but bang there it went!
Managed to snap off the stem about 1/2" below the button. Pretty clean break too, just the 2 pieces. And this happened to be one of my most favourite smokers too, a humble Stanny Legend 19 which I use 2 times/wk and is dedicated to 5100. So ya, I was not terribly happy when this happened.
OK, so the thing to do now is get it repaired or replaced. And the last time I had a snapped stem on a Ser Jacopo I sent it to Mike Myers, who not only made me a new stem but also repaired the original to where you couldn't tell where the break was. And that's the stem I use, not only since it's the original but also has the logo which the replacement does not. No structural issues when clenching (which I'm trying to do less these days).
The only downside was that it took like 3+ months for Mike to get to my work order. And while the cost was inconsequential (relatively speaking) the time it took seemed a bit much. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all dissatisfied with Mike's work. He does a great job for a very reasonable price. And the repair job impressed me. It was only the time it took that was a downside.
To be fair, one can view all Mike's work orders on his site. And it's also fair to say he takes his time with every job to make sure it's as good as he can do. I understand and appreciate that TLC.
So, to make a long story even longer and looking at Mike's repair schedule I took the advice of many here (and on another site) and decided to have Norwood's Pipe Repair do this task.
I learned that their site had been down for various reasons, but did get an e-mail address for Ken who has apparently taken over for Floyd. And the reports I've read have nothing but praise for them both before and after.
Among the claims that interested me were "great service", "reasonable cost", and especially "short turn-around time". I'd sure like to have this pipe back on-line sooner rather than later, and 3+ months seems a bit excessive.
OK, so it's off to Ken at Norwood. And my request is to both have him repair the stem and make me a new one. I've also read that they can replicate the logo on a new stem, which Mike Myers could not. And that would be a plus. Bear in mind this is not in any way intended to be disrespectful to Mike Myers.
Ken did tell me however that he'd have to look at this before deciding if they could do it. It's just the Stanny "S" in gold with a little gold "crown" above it. It's not a deal breaker but would be great if they could.
So we'll wait and see what happens from here. And that's all TMI for many who have persevered to the end of this rather looooong post! Ya, I'm long winded at times.
And all this for a factory pipe which prolly cost me all of $100!!!!
:silent:
Cheers,
RR
Unlike the previous 2 times where it was due to removing the stem for cleaning, this time I was a total klutz and dropped it on the driveway pavement while knocking out the ashes after a bowl. Can't even think how this could've happened, but bang there it went!
Managed to snap off the stem about 1/2" below the button. Pretty clean break too, just the 2 pieces. And this happened to be one of my most favourite smokers too, a humble Stanny Legend 19 which I use 2 times/wk and is dedicated to 5100. So ya, I was not terribly happy when this happened.
OK, so the thing to do now is get it repaired or replaced. And the last time I had a snapped stem on a Ser Jacopo I sent it to Mike Myers, who not only made me a new stem but also repaired the original to where you couldn't tell where the break was. And that's the stem I use, not only since it's the original but also has the logo which the replacement does not. No structural issues when clenching (which I'm trying to do less these days).
The only downside was that it took like 3+ months for Mike to get to my work order. And while the cost was inconsequential (relatively speaking) the time it took seemed a bit much. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all dissatisfied with Mike's work. He does a great job for a very reasonable price. And the repair job impressed me. It was only the time it took that was a downside.
To be fair, one can view all Mike's work orders on his site. And it's also fair to say he takes his time with every job to make sure it's as good as he can do. I understand and appreciate that TLC.
So, to make a long story even longer and looking at Mike's repair schedule I took the advice of many here (and on another site) and decided to have Norwood's Pipe Repair do this task.
I learned that their site had been down for various reasons, but did get an e-mail address for Ken who has apparently taken over for Floyd. And the reports I've read have nothing but praise for them both before and after.
Among the claims that interested me were "great service", "reasonable cost", and especially "short turn-around time". I'd sure like to have this pipe back on-line sooner rather than later, and 3+ months seems a bit excessive.
OK, so it's off to Ken at Norwood. And my request is to both have him repair the stem and make me a new one. I've also read that they can replicate the logo on a new stem, which Mike Myers could not. And that would be a plus. Bear in mind this is not in any way intended to be disrespectful to Mike Myers.
Ken did tell me however that he'd have to look at this before deciding if they could do it. It's just the Stanny "S" in gold with a little gold "crown" above it. It's not a deal breaker but would be great if they could.
So we'll wait and see what happens from here. And that's all TMI for many who have persevered to the end of this rather looooong post! Ya, I'm long winded at times.
And all this for a factory pipe which prolly cost me all of $100!!!!
:silent:
Cheers,
RR
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