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Post by papipeguy on Jul 14, 2017 12:25:08 GMT -5
Every once in a while I get a clog in the stem or shank while smoking a bowl. Sometimes a pie cleanser will take care of it but there are times when it's a bit tougher. I cut an 8 inch piece from a wire hanger and it does the job 99% of the time. Of course, I only use it on straight pipes but have found that I can run it through the stem right into the bowl without waiting for the pipe to cool down.
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sablebrush52
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Favorite Pipe: Barling
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Post by sablebrush52 on Jul 14, 2017 12:47:34 GMT -5
Every once in a while I get a clog in the stem or shank while smoking a bowl. Sometimes a pie cleanser will take care of it but there are times when it's a bit tougher. I cut an 8 inch piece from a wire hanger and it does the job 99% of the time. Of course, I only use it on straight pipes but have found that I can run it through the stem right into the bowl without waiting for the pipe to cool down. When are you accepting your Nobel Prize? |
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Post by trailboss on Jul 14, 2017 13:06:02 GMT -5
Every once in a while I get a clog in the stem or shank while smoking a bowl. Sometimes a pie cleanser will take care of it but there are times when it's a bit tougher. I cut an 8 inch piece from a wire hanger and it does the job 99% of the time. Of course, I only use it on straight pipes but have found that I can run it through the stem right into the bowl without waiting for the pipe to cool down. Good point, especially on meers. I have a 150 year old meer that Has a Silver heart on the heel...I always figured that it was original, but when Paul Busa, pipe collector and local tobacconist first saw my pipe he told me that it looked like a repair...after a more diligent cleaning, his suspicion was confirmed as I saw some shine on the interior of the bowl. Obviously, the pipe existed pre-pipe cleaner days, and they used whatever was on hand, but someone got a little too agressive with something like a hanger I reckon.  The senior reamer has a drill bit that screws into the head of the reamer, I have found that it does a pretty good job of drawing the crud out of the pipes that I tend to take to work, and neglect more than my prized pipes.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2017 14:45:36 GMT -5
I use a length of guitar string. An E or an A. This also helps with bent pipes that won't pass a regular pipe cleaner.
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Post by papipeguy on Jul 14, 2017 17:09:03 GMT -5
tru, excellent idea. I'll save my strings when I make changes on my guitars. Maybe we should collaborate on making them for the market. I've seen goofier ideas hit the street.
Jesse, already bought my ticket to Sweden. Just waiting for the call.
Charlie, I use that tool from my Senior reamer often, especially on the older pipes. I's a great thing to have.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2017 20:04:33 GMT -5
Every once in a while I get a clog in the stem or shank while smoking a bowl. Sometimes a pie cleanser will take care of it but there are times when it's a bit tougher. I cut an 8 inch piece from a wire hanger and it does the job 99% of the time. Of course, I only use it on straight pipes but have found that I can run it through the stem right into the bowl without waiting for the pipe to cool down. Good point, especially on meers. I have a 150 year old meer that Has a Silver heart on the heel...I always figured that it was original, but when Paul Busa, pipe collector and local tobacconist first saw my pipe he told me that it looked like a repair...after a more diligent cleaning, his suspicion was confirmed as I saw some shine on the interior of the bowl. Obviously, the pipe existed pre-pipe cleaner days, and they used whatever was on hand, but someone got a little too agressive with something like a hanger I reckon. The senior reamer has a drill bit that screws into the head of the reamer, I have found that it does a pretty good job of drawing the crud out of the pipes that I tend to take to work, and neglect more than my prized pipes. Be very careful with that sir, I've found that this drill is bigger then a lot of the pipes out there, especially older ones. In most cases it's bigger than 9/64" in which I drill my drafts at. I don't have mine in front of me right now (Kleen Reem) but, I t bet it's bigger then 5/32". Just a warning. The coat hanger makes me cringe just thinking about it.  |
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Post by papipeguy on Jul 14, 2017 20:55:13 GMT -5
It's all about touch, Ron. I agree that you have to go slow with any tool.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2017 20:58:00 GMT -5
Snap on Oring picks here . I cant imagine performing a back room abortion on my pipes with a coat hanger .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2017 21:24:35 GMT -5
It's all about touch, Ron. I agree that you have to go slow with any tool. John, It's just that I take so much care in polishing the inside of the air canal in the stem that I even cringe when people use those Bristle cleaners. Sometimes when I use a BJ Long's tapered cleaner I don't take notice till it's too late that the twisted wire is longer then the cotton fluff and it gouges or scraps the inside of the stem and it's like finger nails across a blackboard to me. Yes, I'm very anal when it comes to the pipes I smoke or make for that fact.  |
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Grimpeur
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Post by Grimpeur on Jul 14, 2017 22:01:20 GMT -5
I'm scratching my head: I have never had a pipe need this treatment; I'm a big fan of preventive maintenance.
"... I will keep my (pipe) clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other..."
Apologies to any Marines out there for my borrowing the Rifleman's Creed.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2017 0:41:00 GMT -5
I carry a long drill bit the size of most bores.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2017 6:31:03 GMT -5
I'm scratching my head: I have never had a pipe need this treatment; I'm a big fan of preventive maintenance. "... I will keep my (pipe) clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other..." Apologies to any Marines out there for my borrowing the Rifleman's Creed. I've never had to either except on estate pipes I have restored. |
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donhava
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Post by donhava on Jul 15, 2017 6:54:54 GMT -5
I found a set of long round brushes used for cleaning the nozzles of airbrushes at Harbor Freight. The set includes various small diameter brushes. I have found they work very well to get the "goop" out after dipping them in a bit of Everclear.
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Post by TwelveAMnTX on Jul 15, 2017 17:41:45 GMT -5
I have yet to try this, but I was thinking after I read this & came up with an idea.
The plastic trimmer string for a weed eater would probably work for removing clogs & wouldn't scratch the insides of the pipe.
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