Topic: Other News
http://www.shpcboston.org, as always, the first Tuesday of every month: Shop Closed.
Posted by thos.martin
at 10:10 AM EST
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http://www.mla-arch.com/residentialmtn.htm
Guess what Pipe 706 will be and win a free pouch of pipe tobacco!
Email Tom Martin at martinthomasj@gmail.com.
First correct guess wins!
(this means there's only one winner- sorry, one will win, many may play)
Entry Deadline:
Your email must be "postmarked" on or
before February 9, 2007.
This pipe is the opposite of my many creations. Usually I try to make a pipe first for sale, and if it isn't saleable but it is serviceable, it becomes MINE. This pipe I made for myself, and it is saleable... so its for sale. Its too nice to be wasted on me, I can make more...
Left to do:
Stamp shank "TM", Polish, wax, & pre- carbonise.....
Learn to fold your Pocketmod with these instructions.
2007-01-2820:47:29 : 705 is shapes up nicely. Pics to follow.
Pipemaking 101- a willing and qualified woodworker goes home with a block ready for shaping. In effect, what he got was a pre-drilled block. But, he learned how to drill the holes the TM way, and fit the stem: Mortise & Tenon.To the student, it was worth cost of materials and gift of tobacco. It was a good day, and learning experience for me as well.
This one flaw (sand/stone) will dicate the carving of this pipe. It was then shaped and stained. The stain will hopefully lighten during the sanding process. This is a nice piece of wood, and my intention was nott to cover it, but to enhance it. The stem was then bent.
The quality control department (my wife) is not happy with the dark stain and thinks the curve is a bit too "curvey." I agree on both points.
Not to "toot my own horn," but if I did, it would be finely tuned. Pipe 704 smokes great and I am so glad that I am having the opportunity to keep and enjoy such a fine pipe. I thought this pipe would fetch a tidy sum but I liked it so much I kept it with no regrets! The draw is awesome. Styed lit from Beverly to Boston; an hours drive. I smoked my usual (McB's Plumcake) as a sort of control variable and must say that it tasted like plums. I happened apon flavors that I have noticed before. I did although have to be careful not to smoke it too hard lest the pre-carb produce flavor. Once I tamed the fire a bit, it truely was the most enjoyable smoke I've ever had!
There: I said it, for afterall, if I didn't believe in myself, and in my product, how could I sell them to you? I couldn't and wouldn't! T.M.
Its an attitude.... I decided that the classics are harder than freehands so I stick with 'em for a while. The next pipe will most likely be a freehand but I am feeling a bit "out of control" in my life, and to do something structured reins me in. When I feel reconciled, I can better create.
705 is started, as a reminder of our roots; the billiard. Yes, the billiard. The billiard to me when not massed produced, but made by an artisan, is a thing of subtle beauty.
2007-01-25 // 20:35:51 So far the holes (or as I like to call the negative spaces,) are "spot on." Stay tuned.
NOTE: This pipe did not end up as a billiard. It took on a less structured, more "organic" look.
Well, I finished 704TM and wish I hadn't stained it (although not bad enough that I'd sand it back down to natural. The real issue is that I not as fond of the clear stem as I thought I would be. too plain, needs a shank extension ... I will although very much enjoy smoking this one (704TM, Right):
I don't know why, but I photographed the worse side of this pipe.
Oh well, its still nice. But, the other side is even better!
Although finshed, this pipe will become mine because it is unacceptable for sale. My third (but not final attempt) at a dress black pipe, although "ok" is not great. I will enjoy this pipe greatly, but could not sell it to you. I will try again at an all black, smooth pipe, but I gotta say, it aint easy.
Time to watch the Patriots play the colts on their march to the Superbowl!
I had to get this pipe "along" enough for me to bring it North Snowboarding this weekend. All that is left is to sand, stamp and dress. I can finish sanding it in NH next to the wood stove.
Here it is unfinished. The blemishes are what they are. . . .
but, what could be better than a bottle of Merlot (Ca.), a bottle of VT maple syrup, and an Italian briar? The clear stem looks better than in photographs.
This wood from Michael Parks is very nice Italian Briar. Very nice. This will be a large pipe, sort of fluted with nice grain. (This isn't even the best side.)
The other side has awesome flamegrain with what looks like a seam down the middle. Have you seen the top of a nice guitar,or table. It appears bookmatched but is completely natural.
The stem is clear acrylic and is taped for protection. It just needed to be on the stummel during shaping so I could sense the overall proportions and line. I did unfortuneately drill the tobacco chamber a bit too deep, so I filled the bottom with "pipemud" which I believe will actually afford a drier smoke as it absorbs moisture at the heel, like having a built in charcoal filter.
Not a black slip, an undercoat. This is one option I was told to try in order to achieve a nice black dress finish on a smooth pipe; a black under coat. This is it; can't tell you what it is because it is actually someone elses trade secret told to me in confidence.
This pipe, dubbed "the tophat," will be classy with its shiny black finish, black carbonised bowl (inside), and black lucite stem from pipemakers.org
From Weber's Guide to Pipes and Pipe Smoking by Carl Weber:
"A Pipe is nothing more than a bowl to hold burning tobacco, and a tube through which the smoke may be drawn into the mouth. But this seemingly simple device is the reulst of a suprising amount of skill, industry, and science."
... visted my friend at Mass General after work tonight. Its hard to get on in the shop when there are so many more important things in life. That said, I have spent more time sanding the two pipes in progress and good things are happening in the shop or elsewhere. I've been doing the sanding upstairs with family.
To summarize lessons learned lately:
And I almost forgot; I've seen this in two pipemaking forums relative to the briar. (Simply) take away, what's not the pipe. Easy. . .
