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Post by Silver on Dec 2, 2022 0:44:49 GMT -5
Finished a couple more over the last two days. The steps I took on these were pretty much the same as the Stanwell, except more work on the stems. They were pretty chewed up (one had a hole in a tooth impression), so I had to fill these impressions and sand them smooth. This took a couple rounds on each stem. The first pipe is a BBB Silver Grain 709 long-shanked billiard. The nomenclature includes "BBB" in a diamond border over "Silver Grain" on the left side of the shank and the shape number 709 on the right. The BBB diamond is also on the top of the stem.   |
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Post by mgtarheel on Dec 2, 2022 0:47:35 GMT -5
Good looking restoration
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Post by Silver on Dec 2, 2022 0:50:26 GMT -5
The second pipe is a GBD London Made (no model name) 133 billiard. Nomenclature includes "GBD" in an oval border over "London Made" on the left side of the shank. Shape number 133 stamped under "London, England on the right side of the shank. There is no marque on the stem.   |
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Post by Silver on Dec 2, 2022 0:51:26 GMT -5
Thanks, Mike.
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Post by Legend Lover on Dec 2, 2022 3:26:30 GMT -5
Nice work. Do you have any 'before' photos?
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Post by kbareit on Dec 2, 2022 6:37:34 GMT -5
They both look great. Good job.
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Post by trailboss on Dec 2, 2022 9:33:55 GMT -5
Nice cleanup!
It is hard to beat the old BBB/ GBD's in the classic shapes, them factories turned out great smokers.
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Post by Plainsman on Dec 2, 2022 10:24:06 GMT -5
Beautiful work!
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Post by Silver on Dec 2, 2022 11:10:05 GMT -5
Thanks, guys. I didn't think to take any "before" photos. They were all pretty grungy and beat up.
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Post by johnlawitzke on Dec 2, 2022 13:11:38 GMT -5
Old BBBs are great smokers.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Dec 2, 2022 17:19:17 GMT -5
Nice cleanup! It is hard to beat the old BBB/ GBD's in the classic shapes, them factories turned out great smokers. I haven't smoked a BBB, but I have 3 older GBDs and they're wonderful smokers. Down to 2 now  Great job Silver |
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Post by Silver on Dec 2, 2022 21:01:00 GMT -5
Thanks, Josh. Both my BBBs are great smokers. I have a few GBDs, seems to be less consistent.
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Post by Gypo on Dec 2, 2022 21:55:15 GMT -5
I have one small BBB smooth apple and it is a beautiful pipe and it smokes very well
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Post by Silver on Dec 4, 2022 23:23:32 GMT -5
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Post by kbareit on Dec 5, 2022 6:39:43 GMT -5
Another great restoration. I like the fact you're giving a Grabow some love. I have to ask, what's the oxy clean ratio your using and how long do you soak the stems. I tried using it early on with no success. Probably operator error. I usually do the multiple grits of super fine sanding pads but it takes it's toll on my hands.
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Post by Legend Lover on Dec 5, 2022 9:22:20 GMT -5
Got one more to show. Finished the stemwork this morning. It's a Dr. Grabow Tru-Grain. This pipe is larger and chunkier than the typical Dr. Grabow. I believe this model pre-dates the move to Sparta. The stummel was mostly just dirty with a lot of rim cake, the bowl was heavily caked and stem was pretty chewed up and oxidized. Before (stem already Oxyclean soaked):   After:    WOW. It's amazing to see the transformation. |
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Post by just ol ed on Dec 5, 2022 11:54:24 GMT -5
adding my congrats, another great job accomplished!
Ed
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2022 12:02:02 GMT -5
Got one more to show. Finished the stemwork this morning. It's a Dr. Grabow Tru-Grain. This pipe is larger and chunkier than the typical Dr. Grabow. I believe this model pre-dates the move to Sparta. The stummel was mostly just dirty with a lot of rim cake, the bowl was heavily caked and stem was pretty chewed up and oxidized. Before (stem already Oxyclean soaked): After: WOW. It's amazing to see the transformation. Nice work, that pipe still has a good long life still ahead. |
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Post by Silver on Dec 5, 2022 13:23:01 GMT -5
Another great restoration. I like the fact you're giving a Grabow some love. I have to ask, what's the oxy clean ratio your using and how long do you soak the stems. I tried using it early on with no success. Probably operator error. I usually do the multiple grits of super fine sanding pads but it takes it's toll on my hands. Thanks, Ken. I'm rather fond of my old Grabows, I have a small collection of them. This is my oldest, and only Chicago-made piece. It doesn't hurt that you can pick them up for cheap. As far as Oxyclean goes, I don't use exact measurements. It's somewhere around 2 cups of very warm water and 1/3 scoop of Oxyclean. I soak my stems for only a couple hours. It doesn't get rid of the oxidation, but loosens it up, to make the sanding step easier. I sand with 400,600 and 1000 grit paper, then white diamond on my buffer. |
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Post by Silver on Dec 5, 2022 13:23:31 GMT -5
adding my congrats, another great job accomplished! Ed Thanks, Ed. |
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Post by Silver on Dec 5, 2022 13:24:06 GMT -5
WOW. It's amazing to see the transformation. Nice work, that pipe still has a good long life still ahead. Thanks! |
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Post by peteguy on Dec 5, 2022 17:02:40 GMT -5
Did you use a toothbrush or something similar and get down in those valley's with anything? Inner bowl and stem look top notch to me. Take a piece of crusty old sandpaper wrapped around your finger or a dowel and hit the top inner edge of the bowl. Easily removes the buffer skid marks and does not take much pressure at all.  |
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Post by kbareit on Dec 6, 2022 5:45:27 GMT -5
Another great restoration. I like the fact you're giving a Grabow some love. I have to ask, what's the oxy clean ratio your using and how long do you soak the stems. I tried using it early on with no success. Probably operator error. I usually do the multiple grits of super fine sanding pads but it takes it's toll on my hands. Thanks, Ken. I'm rather fond of my old Grabows, I have a small collection of them. This is my oldest, and only Chicago-made piece. It doesn't hurt that you can pick them up for cheap. As far as Oxyclean goes, I don't use exact measurements. It's somewhere around 2 cups of very warm water and 1/3 scoop of Oxyclean. I soak my stems for only a couple hours. It doesn't get rid of the oxidation, but loosens it up, to make the sanding step easier. I sand with 400,600 and 1000 grit paper, then white diamond on my buffer. Thanks Pete, Going to have to give it a try on a stem for a pipe I started a couple years ago and just never got around to finishing. |
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Post by Goldbrick on Dec 12, 2022 23:18:20 GMT -5
Great work Pete. I've never had a GBD I didn't like, but I've yet to smoke a BBB. All three of your pipes turned out mighty fine. well done!
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Post by SailorBen on Apr 29, 2023 12:32:01 GMT -5
Beautiful restoration work! It's amazing what a little love will do. Looks like a ton of fun.
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Post by taiguy66 on May 1, 2023 8:23:40 GMT -5
Finished a couple more over the last two days. The steps I took on these were pretty much the same as the Stanwell, except more work on the stems. They were pretty chewed up (one had a hole in a tooth impression), so I had to fill these impressions and sand them smooth. This took a couple rounds on each stem. The first pipe is a BBB Silver Grain 709 long-shanked billiard. The nomenclature includes "BBB" in a diamond border over "Silver Grain" on the left side of the shank and the shape number 709 on the right. The BBB diamond is also on the top of the stem. Looking good Pete. đź‘Ť |
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Post by Silver on May 20, 2023 11:10:59 GMT -5
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Post by Silver on May 20, 2023 11:25:38 GMT -5
I should have mentioned I'll be touching up the stain on the bare spots of the Grabow and filling the hole in the Stanwell's stem.
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Post by turbocat on May 20, 2023 12:53:20 GMT -5
I should have mentioned I'll be touching up the stain on the bare spots of the Grabow and filling the hole in the Stanwell's stem. They both seem like worthy projects. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished results. |
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Post by Silver on May 20, 2023 13:24:21 GMT -5
I should have mentioned I'll be touching up the stain on the bare spots of the Grabow and filling the hole in the Stanwell's stem. They both seem like worthy projects. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished results. The stummel of the Stanwell doesn't need much, just a good cleaning. The Grabow will be a little more work. The biggest job will be patching the hole in the Stanwell's stem. |
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