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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2019 1:12:22 GMT -5
With Spring here, I am once again dealing with fluctuating humidity levels. As a result stems are sticking as tenons swell. Beeswax to the rescue. I bought a 4 ounce plug 10 years ago (2/3 left) for $1.49 at my local hardware store and 15¢ a year (so far) has proven to be a good investment.  |
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captblack
Junior Member
Posts: 224
Favorite Pipe: Peterson, Tsuge, Savinelli
Favorite Tobacco: Aromatics and English Blends
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Post by captblack on May 21, 2019 10:11:46 GMT -5
Beeswax makes a pretty good pipe wax as well. Its not as strong as Caranuba, but it provides a beautiful shine.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2019 13:36:47 GMT -5
I thought beeswax tightened them up, and pencil graphite made them loose?
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2019 13:45:29 GMT -5
I use both, depending on how tightly the stems are sticking. This thread is as much about humidity, which is in flux where I live, with previously fine stems now tightening up.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on May 22, 2019 1:28:51 GMT -5
I thought beeswax tightened them up, and pencil graphite made them loose? It works both ways. Beeswax will tighten a slightly-loose stem, and grease a slightly-tight one.
I have pellets of wax from a local store for hippies and Muslims, sold for making soap. The teeny pellets are quite convenient for hand application to a tenon.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on May 22, 2019 12:36:45 GMT -5
I realize now my prior post could have been interpreted as a rude joke, but I meant it very literally.
The shop that sells beeswax originated as a store for Muslims of middle eastern origin to purchase common home goods from overseas -- fragrances, essential oils, herbal remedies, devotional items, clothing, etc.
Nowadays it is also frequented by hippies -- college students and housewives who find it "interesting."
I just needed beeswax.
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Post by sperrytops on May 22, 2019 12:42:55 GMT -5
I've only used fine industrial grade graphite for a stem that was too tight. Worked perfectly. I'm in a dry climate, though.
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Post by briarpipenyc on May 22, 2019 13:55:36 GMT -5
Add equal volumes of de-scented/refined coconut oil (food grade) to melted pure Bee's Wax. Add enough coconut oil to make a soft, but creamy paste at room temps. Store in a Altoids box, or shallow-lidded tin box.
Makes a great "oil" to rub onto your briar pipes. This creamy, waxy-oil will be absorbed into the warm surface of your briar pipes as the when smoking heats up the wood. Works great on blasted and rusticated surfaces. Pipes develop a beautiful mellow, hand-rubbed patina, but this wax/oil will not leave a permanent shine on pipes.
Straight Carnauba or pure Bee's Wax for mortise/tenon joint lube. Rub tenon over wax, making sure you get a nice coating of wax on tenon, then insert stem into pipe. Done. Candle wax works just as well on tenon joints. |
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andythebeagle
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Posts: 40 
First Name: Allan
Favorite Pipe: any Meer I have
Favorite Tobacco: Peter Stokkebey 702 Burley
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Post by andythebeagle on May 23, 2019 20:36:52 GMT -5
With Spring here, I am once again dealing with fluctuating humidity levels. As a result stems are sticking as tenons swell. Beeswax to the rescue. I bought a 4 ounce plug 10 years ago (2/3 left) for $1.49 at my local hardware store and 15¢ a year (so far) has proven to be a good investment. I use Vaseline. Applied with a q-tip. Bee's wax has given me nothing but trouble, with the exception of Meerschaums, which need it for coloring. I never use it for waxing briar. That's because of the residue if leaves on the briar. It will never harden. |
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