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1. The Calabash Project
701TM -PITCHED
702TM -GIFTED
703TM -NFS
704TM: -NFS
706TM - NFS
707TM- PITCHED
708 -NFS
709TM
715TM
716TM
C 07270
C 14262
C 54611
C 63230
Folding your Pocketmod
Other News
Pipe 10: NOV06 -SOLD-
Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS
Pipe 12: DEC06
Pipe 4: OCT06 -SOLD-
Pipe 5: NOV06 -SOLD-
Pipe 6: NOV06 -NFS
Pipe 7: NOV06 -SOLD-
Pipe 8: NOV06 -NFS
Pipe 9: NOV06 -SOLD-
Testimonials
Buy TM Pipes etc.
TM Pipes, The Shop
Contact
Thos. Martin
Shaping The Stummels
Thursday, 28 December 2006
Gone to Berkshires!

...the holiday season continues with a trip to the Berkshires to visit to visit family and celebrate Christmas. Unfortunately there'll be no snowbaoarding as there is no snow. Its been even to warm to make artifial snow. Maye I'll be able to sit on the posrch and carve pipes 701TM and 702TM on the porch overlooking Mt Greylock.

 As you can see, I've spent part of my vacation getting them roughed-out so that I can bring them with me to handcarve my "blackrock" finish to them. 


Posted by thos.martin at 3:31 PM EST
Permalink
Wednesday, 27 December 2006
702TM begins...
Topic: 702TM -GIFTED
 

Please consider buying this pipe. It will be posted for sale at the TM Pipe Shop once complete. It will sell for only $50 USD or less.

Thank You!

Tom


Posted by thos.martin at 4:07 PM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 26 December 2006
2007 Nomenclature & New Series
Topic: Other News

Pipes made in ‘07 will be stamped "TM," and come with a numbered certificate of authenticity: 701 through approximately 752. It seems that there is nothing entirely unique about this numbering system. “7” is for 2007, and the numbers thereafter represent the first through fifty-second (plus) pipes I will make this year.

What does make TM pipes collectable is that the serial number will correspond to the blog. You will forever be able to see and read about it on Shaping The Stummels, just reference 701TM or what have you...

Three series will be offered this year:

  1. The Raven Series: Feather light all black pipe, hand carved (Chisled- Black only). ($50)
  2. The Roman Lighthouse Series: Tall, almost forboding. Castlerock rusticated, burnished amber finish. (apx$75)
  3. The E-Series, stamped "TM E"are the higher end pipes (still modestly priced at $100 USD). Freehand plateauxs with the following finishes and colors
         Finish: Chisled (Natural or Black)
         Finish: Castlerock Rusticated (Burnished Amber only)
         Finish: Smoothstone (Natural or Brown) 
         Any combination of finish and there respective colors. . .

Finishes in order: Chisled, Castlerock, Smoothstone

 


Posted by thos.martin at 4:13 PM EST
Updated: Friday, 5 January 2007 6:19 PM EST
Permalink
Getting a jump on the '07 Pipes
Topic: 701TM -PITCHED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pipe 701TM (and 702TM) are part of the "Raven" series sometimes refered to as the Blackfriar. Thse pipes will have the Blackrock finish: handcarved with knife, and stained balck; Raven black. You'll see I start the pipe on the drill press which my wife bought for me for Christmas.

Its hard getting used to new equpiment which mandates a new process, but its "all good." It already has made the two holes (chamber and draft) easier to drill. I decided to try a third hole whic will serve as a "stop cut" for where I believe to be the hardest joint on the pipe, because its a blind cut. You can not see the intersection until you remove the wood. I noticed on other forums, tha many new makers struggle with. This method helps, but of course you'll need to make sure the stop-hole is where you approxiamtely want the intersect to be.

Also something unique to me, is using the hole saw to shape the outside of the bowl, where the majority of makers use a lathe. I do own an antique treadle lathe not disimilar to what was used in Merrschuam Pipemaking. Mine is retrofitted with a motor, and I just dont like using it. Maybe someday. In the meantime My method is a more than adequate work around, sepecially for billiard variations. It serves well, also, in drilling a pilot hole for the tobacco chamber.

Please consider buying this pipe. It will be posted for sale at the TM Pipe Shop once complete. It will sell for $50 USD or less.

Thank You!

 


Posted by thos.martin at 12:01 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 27 December 2006 4:11 PM EST
Permalink
Monday, 25 December 2006
Merry Christmas!
Topic: Other News

Santa's workshop could use a guy like mine!



 


Posted by thos.martin at 4:49 PM EST
Permalink
Sunday, 24 December 2006
Good Tidings Sent to Belgium
Topic: Other News

Christmas package sent to my friends
of the Souverain Chapitre le Maître de Pipe in Belgium.


 

Posted by thos.martin at 4:37 PM EST
Updated: Sunday, 24 December 2006 4:48 PM EST
Permalink
Thursday, 21 December 2006
TM Pipes opens shop . . .
Topic: Other News

TM Pipes now offers online shopping.

Visit TM Pipes,The Shop now!


Posted by thos.martin at 8:34 PM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 19 December 2006
The Blackfriar
Topic: Pipe 12: DEC06

    Pipe 12 of '06 is to be called
    The Blackfriar after the Roman Catholic
    friar wearing the black mantle of
    the Dominican order.


Posted by thos.martin at 11:04 AM EST
Updated: Thursday, 21 December 2006 6:45 PM EST
Permalink
Sunday, 17 December 2006
Sunday
Now Playing: Pats 40; Texans 7

Despite a pilgramage to Foxboro to see the Pats beat the Houston Texans, I was able to get my shop orders in for the first quarter of '07. I decided to go with Michael Parks of Parks Pipes for Briar. And, The Pipe Makers Emporium for the rest.


Posted by thos.martin at 8:35 AM EST
Updated: Thursday, 21 December 2006 6:45 PM EST
Permalink
Saturday, 16 December 2006
"The Banister"
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This pipe smokes better than any pipe i have ever smoked, including my $300 Ardor Fantasy. The double draw barrel is awesome! Too bad I couldn't sell this one.  ;)


Posted by thos.martin at 3:04 PM EST
Updated: Saturday, 16 December 2006 3:08 PM EST
Permalink
Corporate Downsizing?
Topic: Pipe 12: DEC06

This batch of wood is proving difficult in that it is soooo dry its hard and brittle. That equals cracking. This pipe has gotten small but it is similar to one of my favorites, an all black one i had in mind when I started. I'm calling it "The Blackfriar"  This will be a great sitting in traffic smoke.


Posted by thos.martin at 3:00 PM EST
Updated: Thursday, 21 December 2006 1:46 PM EST
Permalink
Wednesday, 13 December 2006
Last Pipe of 2006!
Topic: Pipe 12: DEC06


This is the last pipe of '06!

Fittingly the tobacco chamber is perfect as is the beginning of the bowl. This pipe will be a subtle refection of my Castle pipe, but effectively is being CARVED to showcase my Blackrock finish, one of three Thos.Martin finishes : Blackrock, Castlerock, and Smooth Stone. Stay tuned.

  After final  shaping with the coping saw, this pipe will be carved old school style: with a knife . . .


Posted by thos.martin at 8:10 PM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 13 December 2006 8:11 PM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Seems the second I say, "this pipes not for sale," people want it. There have been three people wanting this pipe. I should have said I can't sell this pipe because ALL the issues have been worked ut, except for the fact the bowl is cracked!!!!

Therefore, I smoked this pipe and will keep smoking it forever... or until it blows up. Several suggestions for a name: Crack pipe, LibertyBowl, but I think I'll call it The Baluster. Here it is about three or four sanding steps before stain, polish, and wax.

 The car is my son's creation and tied for first place (3x's) in the shop class derby! A Co2 inserts into a hole in the back.

 Its fassssssssttttttt........ so's the pipe:


Posted by thos.martin at 7:43 PM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 13 December 2006 7:58 PM EST
Permalink
Monday, 11 December 2006
A Kaywoodie Holiday 2006
Topic: Other News

As some of you know (those people waiting for pipes), I took the weekend off to visit the Kaywoodie workshop in Peeskill, NY. I was honored to meet so many nice people in the pipe community and to rub elbows with several of the finest pipemakers in the World: Joe Skoda, Tim Hynick, Rolando Negoita, and Bill Feuerbach III-  Kaywoodie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you all for the wisdom, advice, and support. A special thanks to Bill for the tour of the "factory," and to Tim for treating me as if a peer.


Posted by thos.martin at 7:01 PM EST
Updated: Monday, 11 December 2006 7:16 PM EST
Permalink
Testimonials
Topic: Testimonials
Wednesday, 14 March 2007

re the sleeve on pipe 708:   Very sharp! MP

Ontario, CANADA

February '07
"WOW!!! Just Wow!  SG New Mexico 
Dec 11, 2006 6:54 AM
Hello,
I just received the nice pipe with many thanks. First of all, I must tell you that I was very much impressed with the delicate shape of the pipe - although you said it was not "masterpiece"but a "study", I really love this nice delicate curving which fitted perfectly in my hand. I also love this smooth feeling, I even love the thinness of the stem which is softly touching on my lips. Good weight balance, yet it is stable when I put on the desk.
All in all, I was very much satisfied with this "masterpiece". In case you create the other one which you recognize as masterpiece, please let me know. I will certainly make a purchase of this.
Best wishes from Tokyo, Japan.
HK
Dec 3, 2006 8:39 PM
That's awesome. I'm always amazed at people with artistic ability... When you have time to work out the other one, I might still be interested in that one as well, so please do keep in touch. . .
CJR

Nov 16, 2006 7:24 PM

Tom,

Really appreciate your blog. reflection, and stage photos on pipe carving. Hope to refuel the pipe 5...wish i could have sent more.
KF

Posted by thos.martin at 6:34 PM EST
Updated: Sunday, 25 March 2007 5:02 PM EDT
Permalink
Wednesday, 6 December 2006
Of Disproportions & Broken Tenons
Now Playing: a Narrative
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS
  • I corrected the problem of disproportion by reducing the height of the bowl.

  • When working on where the shank meets the stem, I accidentally broke the tenon off the shank. I suppose now might be a good time to explain how to get the broken piece of tenon out off the mortis, especially if you do not have the special tool for the purpose. Find a sm. brad with a head diameter smaller than the draught hole. Hold the brad with a pair of pliers. Insert the head into the hole past the end of the broken tenon. Hook the end of the tenon with the edge of the head and pull the piece out. Backto the drawing board on the stem. . . Not as bad as it seems, but not tonight I have a headache...

 

Posted by thos.martin at 7:07 PM EST
Updated: Monday, 11 December 2006 6:33 PM EST
Permalink
Things to Do
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS

 I need to make sure that the panel billiard is less of a freehand and more trad...

I'll start by making sure the proportions are correct. I no doubt will have to trim some of the top. then I'll need to decide wether to leave the top of the bowl rusticated or not...

Then, I'll re-asses other aspects.Most important. I need to work the joint where the shank meets the stem so that it is square. This will take a while.  Carry on. . .


Posted by thos.martin at 6:12 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 6 December 2006 6:19 AM EST
Permalink
Tuesday, 5 December 2006
Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club Meeting

Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston

          

  


Posted by thos.martin at 6:01 AM EST
Updated: Wednesday, 6 December 2006 6:22 AM EST
Permalink
Monday, 4 December 2006
ugly fruit
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS

I proceeded and its reminescent of Dylan gone electric at the 1967 Newport Folk Festival. Either you hated it or you loved it. All other pipes were made while listneing to classical music. The station was down so I listened to Rock. Loud. And, well, it shows. Garish, bold, and out of tune but oddly interesting. Hard to put my finger on why I like this pipe, kind of Like Dylan; can't sing but I love him.

a hard rain is gonna fall....


Posted by thos.martin at 9:08 PM EST
Updated: Monday, 4 December 2006 9:22 PM EST
Permalink
Sunday, 3 December 2006
Panel Billiard Proving Difficult..
Topic: Pipe 11: DEC06 -NFS

despite the fact that PIMO says it should be the easiest. Maybe that is the case depending on what tools you got, but I HATE my sears Mitre Saw. S_cks.  Didn't get to work in the shop as much today because While cleaning the house today, I noticed that the roof is leaking. So I ended up cleaning the gutters, and then I had to rake what I had cleaned out of the guttes. And so it goes...

Also, the "twist" I mentioned on this "four square" earlier is that I twisted the  square shank ninety degrees to make it a diamond shank. It is although giving me a bit of grief (actually I love it). To think a little more positive, The stem is an awesome diamond twin bore saddle. Smoking....

pictures are worth a 100 words.... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Tommorow I'll decide how to proceed...


Posted by thos.martin at 6:50 PM EST
Permalink

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