longtom
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Post by longtom on Jan 29, 2019 14:35:22 GMT -5
Howdy All... part of the reason I started smoking pipes was because Grandaddy used to, and I have a few of his old ones... I never intended doing anything at all with them but LO AND BEHOLD there is a whole resto/woodcraft side of this hobby as well... I mean this is great, the gift that keeps on giving... smoking a pipe while out in the garage restoring a pipe... just doesn't get any better... So now that I have read through this whole subforum I'm keen to maybe restore a pipe... Out of those four pipes from Grandaddy's rack, three are badly cracked through the bowl and/or shank. This one seems to be relatively in tact. Dr. Grabow Golden Duke. Stem is hung up. It will rotate but not unscrew. I've done enough research to think that it is the adjustomatic insert that is hung up. If I am correct on my reading, the threads are in the shank and tend to corrode. So the stem just rotates in place around the insert. But I haven't been able to locate a good extraction process.
Tried putting it in the freezer. Didn't work. I read where maybe the next step is *gently and with protection* to grab the stem with pliers and unscrew? Like holding tight enough that the stem can't spin around the insert? Since it appears to be the only salvageable pipe from the collection, I am very hesitant to push it to far and break it. Anyone have any tips or magic tricks?
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 29, 2019 15:23:08 GMT -5
Eek. I hope you're able to get that bad boy separated.
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Post by papipeguy on Jan 29, 2019 15:40:12 GMT -5
If the pipe has great sentimental value (which I assume it does) I'd send it to a pro for a total clean up. The cost would be worth not messing it up. I had my grandfather's Dunhill fully restored a few years ago and it was well worth the expense to me and the pipe was in far worse condition than yours. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
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longtom
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Post by longtom on Jan 29, 2019 15:48:08 GMT -5
If the pipe has great sentimental value (which I assume it does) I'd send it to a pro for a total clean up. The cost would be worth not messing it up. I had my grandfather's Dunhill fully restored a few years ago and it was well worth the expense to me and the pipe was in far worse condition than yours. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Very good point and something I was thinking on anyway. Leave this one to the pros. If I could get it apart I'm very confident I could do all the rest of the work but my gut is telling me I'm going to break if it I try to pull it apart on my own.
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Post by puffy on Jan 29, 2019 16:08:54 GMT -5
Try contacting the Grabow folks.Might be you could it to them to get it done..They're here in N.Carolina
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 29, 2019 16:26:51 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2019 18:31:51 GMT -5
Try contacting the Grabow folks.Might be you could it to them to get it done..They're here in N.Carolina THIS ^^^^^^^^^ chances are you’d get the pipe back looking like new. They do superb repairs on their pipes, no matter the age. Excellent customer service......FIVE STARS
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Post by dave g on Jan 29, 2019 18:43:27 GMT -5
Don’t use pliers.
Try grabbing the bowl firmly with one hand, then pull backwards straight out while twisting.
The Ajustomatics work really well but if it’s been sitting for decades, it can be a little stubborn.
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longtom
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Post by longtom on Jan 30, 2019 9:13:21 GMT -5
Don’t use pliers. Try grabbing the bowl firmly with one hand, then pull backwards straight out while twisting. The Ajustomatics work really well but if it’s been sitting for decades, it can be a little stubborn. No dice! But thank you for the suggestion. I do believe I am going to sit back and study on it a bit, there is no rush. In the meantime I can fiddle around with this other Grabow beater I found at the flea market this weekend...
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 30, 2019 11:56:45 GMT -5
Don’t use pliers. Try grabbing the bowl firmly with one hand, then pull backwards straight out while twisting. The Ajustomatics work really well but if it’s been sitting for decades, it can be a little stubborn. No dice! But thank you for the suggestion. I do believe I am going to sit back and study on it a bit, there is no rush. In the meantime I can fiddle around with this other Grabow beater I found at the flea market this weekend... Good find.
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longtom
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Post by longtom on Jan 30, 2019 12:18:32 GMT -5
Thanks, funny that I found it because it looks pretty clearly like a knockoff of my Peterson 312... has a little fake plip and everything...
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Post by Cramptholomew on Jan 30, 2019 17:29:30 GMT -5
Don’t use pliers. Try grabbing the bowl firmly with one hand, then pull backwards straight out while twisting. The Ajustomatics work really well but if it’s been sitting for decades, it can be a little stubborn. Dave, what about using a heat gun (GENTLY!) At the stem/shank junction? That might loosen up the tar enough to get it apart. But, it also might loosen the adjustomatic tenon. I have no experience in this, it's just a thought. What say you?
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 30, 2019 18:37:46 GMT -5
Don’t use pliers. Try grabbing the bowl firmly with one hand, then pull backwards straight out while twisting. The Ajustomatics work really well but if it’s been sitting for decades, it can be a little stubborn. Dave, what about using a heat gun (GENTLY!) At the stem/shank junction? That might loosen up the tar enough to get it apart. But, it also might loosen the adjustomatic tenon. I have no experience in this, it's just a thought. What say you? That's a good idea (says he who knows nothing about whether or not it will damage the pipe).
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Post by sperrytops on Jan 30, 2019 19:16:22 GMT -5
WD40 always worked for me, but not on pipes. In any case, good recommendations above. Give it some time, get more information, talk to Grabow and then decide what you want to do.
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Post by dave g on Jan 30, 2019 21:47:28 GMT -5
A heat gun can be good or Real Bad if you’ve never tried it before.
I’m guessing the aluminum thread and screw are corroded together. I’ve seen this a few times before with KW’s and Grabow’s. Sitting for decades in a humid environment.
Since this is a family keepsake, it would be well worth peace of mind to have it professionally restored.
Our very own Patch member Piffyr, is the best in the business.
Cooks Fine Pipe Works.
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joeman
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First Name: Joe
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Post by joeman on Feb 1, 2019 12:55:27 GMT -5
I've gotten many, many frozen Grabows free. I hesitate to share publicly, because I've seen different processes which were successful (and otherwise), depending on how it was done and by who. Just sent you a PM.
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Post by kbareit on Feb 1, 2019 13:03:24 GMT -5
Don’t use pliers. Try grabbing the bowl firmly with one hand, then pull backwards straight out while twisting. The Ajustomatics work really well but if it’s been sitting for decades, it can be a little stubborn. No dice! But thank you for the suggestion. I do believe I am going to sit back and study on it a bit, there is no rush. In the meantime I can fiddle around with this other Grabow beater I found at the flea market this weekend... I likey!!! I would let a pro handle your other pipe, I tried one and snapped it off. I'll revisit it another time and I didn't really lose anything since the pipe was a trainwreck before I wrecked it worse.
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joeman
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First Name: Joe
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Favorite Tobacco: Sutliff Barbados Plantation
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Post by joeman on Mar 27, 2019 21:41:24 GMT -5
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Post by monbla256 on Mar 27, 2019 22:06:01 GMT -5
Who'd ya send it to? Grabow? It looks brand new !
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Post by Stearmandriver on Mar 27, 2019 22:13:08 GMT -5
Man there are some skilled craftsmen on this site. It's hard to believe that's the same pipe. Nice job!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2019 22:56:16 GMT -5
Outstanding Resto, joeman. ++++
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chasingembers
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Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
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Post by chasingembers on Mar 27, 2019 23:23:50 GMT -5
Tom's grandfather's frozen pipe stem is now un-frozen, and the pipe has received a thorough cleaning and a simple restoration. Tom said "Grandaddy was a SE Georgia lumber man, and notoriously hard on the equipment". His pipe was quite obviously a hard working tool as well...but it's on it's way back to Florida with a new lease of life. Brilliant cleanup job joeman, outstanding job!👍
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2019 23:54:16 GMT -5
As mentioned a couple of times: Never use Pliers on a Pipe.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2019 3:53:09 GMT -5
Superb restoration Joe, the Grabow looks fabulous 👌👍👍
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Post by Legend Lover on Mar 28, 2019 4:40:30 GMT -5
Outstanding restoration, joeman. Seeing your work is inspirational.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Mar 28, 2019 5:51:32 GMT -5
Very nicely done.
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longtom
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Post by longtom on Mar 28, 2019 13:52:05 GMT -5
UNBELIEVABLE RESTORATION!!
For anyone who doesn't know Joe... this whole process has just been great, Joe is one of the nicest, most professional, most courteous folk I've ever had the pleasure of working with (even if my only 'work' was just figuring out how to fold the post office box)...
Now I'm going to camp out by the mailbox for the rest of the week... cannot wait to smoke this pipe!
Many many thanks Joe!!
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Post by sperrytops on Mar 28, 2019 14:27:38 GMT -5
Amazing restoration. Now a real work of art.
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Post by Low and Slow on Mar 28, 2019 16:52:55 GMT -5
Lovely... just lovely! What a great job, she’s a’bute!
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Post by pepesdad1 on Mar 28, 2019 16:59:17 GMT -5
Good to see an old workhorse brought back to life..congrats to all involved!
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