New Stanwell with loose stem....

[boom]

Got a New Stan and the stem was tight when I bought it. After a month in the drawer I pulled it out today for a breaking bowl, the stem is loose. ????? What will change the fit? After a month in the house, now granted it is cold now then when I bought it.

What should I do? any fix I can do? Bought it online from a reputable seller. I don't want to return it the grain is too beautiful.....:confused:

Thanks in advance.

[colimo]

take your torch lighter and hold it about 2 inches below the stem where it fits into the bowl and rotate the stem around to heat it up....then press it down on a hard surface and hold it for a minute or two...let it cool off then put it in the pipe....easy does it...not too much at a time or it will get too tight

[loki]

take your torch lighter and hold it about 2 inches below the stem where it fits into the bowl and rotate the stem around to heat it up....then press it down on a hard surface and hold it for a minute or two...let it cool off then put it in the pipe....easy does it...not too much at a time or it will get too tight

I'd hold off on doing that till a last resort, and if I did I'd use a soft flame.

there are a number of reasons that it maybe not fitting as tight as it was. temperature, humidity change, lack of smoking, ect. I had one that was quite not tight fitting until I put fire into the bowl and then it was fine. Finally I had the pipe guy fix it at the local shop cause we were both bored one day

[colimo]

I'd hold off on doing that till a last resort, and if I did I'd use a soft flame.

there are a number of reasons that it maybe not fitting as tight as it was. temperature, humidity change, lack of smoking, ect. I had one that was quite not tight fitting until I put fire into the bowl and then it was fine. Finally I had the pipe guy fix it at the local shop cause we were both bored one day

he is right...soft flame...i stand corrected

[RevSmoke]

1) How loose is it? If it isn't "falling off" loose, simply smoking a bowl in it will correct the issue as the pipe heats up and moisture gets into the stem.

2) If that doesn't work, take a simple candle and rub it up and down the outside of the tenon. This should tighten it up so that it is no longer loose.

Never, I repeat, never, use the technique which will cause you to change the shape of your tenon. Why? It fit when you bought it, it will fit when the temperature and humidity rises. If you change the shape of the tenon, you will have issues later.

[boom]

1) How loose is it? If it isn't "falling off" loose, simply smoking a bowl in it will correct the issue as the pipe heats up and moisture gets into the stem.

2) If that doesn't work, take a simple candle and rub it up and down the outside of the tenon. This should tighten it up so that it is no longer loose.

Never, I repeat, never, use the technique which will cause you to change the shape of your tenon. Why? It fit when you bought it, it will fit when the temperature and humidity rises. If you change the shape of the tenon, you will have issues later.

This is what I have thought..... Will try beeswax or a candle later.

[Mister Moo]

1) ... smoking a bowl in it will correct the issue...This method only works about 97% of the time. :D

[RevSmoke]

This is what I have thought..... Will try beeswax or a candle later.

I didn't suggest beeswax because not too many people have that available.

[boom]

Broke The Stan in with a bowl of Peterson Uni Flake and the stem tightened up. Seems my worries went a way. This smoked like a dream..... My Stanwell Legend 64..... Nice straight grain all around with birds eye on the bottom on the bowl... I think I will have a new love for this pipe after today...
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff115/baseworks/100_3196.jpg

[Mister Moo]

Broke The Stan in with a bowl of Peterson Uni Flake and the stem tightened up. Another holiday miracle. :D Cool pipe; love the Stanwells.

[RevSmoke]

Figured it would tighten up on its own. Remember though, as it cools and the humidity is sapped from the mortise, it may loosen again.

The cure? Smoke it every 4 days.