New Pipe Hobby (Pic Heavy)

[Sr Mike]

The links Tyler posted are a good start, but you are missing pics of your pipes dude. All the supplies can be purchased from several places. Stems can be bought pre-made or as rods so one could shape them.

A lathe is used by many makers, it would cut down the time it takes to make a pipe by several hours. Being a hands on kind of person, I do not think there is much to be said about a lathe shaped pipe, I could probably pump out 4-5 pipes a week with my full time job if I had a lathe.

I would rather know that the maker puts as much sweat and blood, into the pipe I purchase from them, as I put into each pipe I make. I have no desire to purchase a pipe that is made on a lathe.

The churchwarden is actually rather lightweight, nothing like the straight pipe I am offering up in the contest, that one is really nice. I am thinking of making a churchwarden to sell next week. I am even willing to make a pipe custom for someone, as long as they are not too picky.

Originally Posted by Sr Mike

The links Tyler posted are a good start, but you are missing pics of your pipes dude.

A lathe is used by many makers, it would cut down the time it takes to make a pipe by several hours. Being a hands on kind of person, I do not think there is much to be said about a lathe shaped pipe, I could probably pump out 4-5 pipes a week with my full time job if I had a lathe.

I would rather know that the maker puts as much sweat and blood, into the pipe I purchase from them, as I put into each pipe I make. I have no desire to purchase a pipe that is made on a lathe.

I have not yet made any I am willing to post pictures of.

As far as a lathe goes, the part it is really handy for is shaping the tenons. It can also substitute for a drill press in drilling the tobac chamber. I prefer a disk sander for shaping the stummel.

Originally Posted by Sr Mike

A lathe is used by many makers, it would cut down the time it takes to make a pipe by several hours. Being a hands on kind of person, I do not think there is much to be said about a lathe shaped pipe, I could probably pump out 4-5 pipes a week with my full time job if I had a lathe.

I would rather know that the maker puts as much sweat and blood, into the pipe I purchase from them, as I put into each pipe I make. I have no desire to purchase a pipe that is made on a lathe.

The other thought that crosses my mind is in regards to making pipes as a business.

If a pipe maker takes on average of 12 hours to make a pipe and sells for example a pipe like your plateau fan pipe for $175, he/she would make 14.50/hr. This does not include costs for materials, electricity, tool maintenance, etc. Take into account the economy tanking and things look even bleaker (think 9 to 10 bucks an hour). While these things may not matter to a hobbyist, they do matter to a professional pipe maker.

Not saying I am an aspiring one or trying to belittle your thoughts. I like your ideas philosophically; I am just trying to point out what I think to be a valid point.



-Tyler