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This is the discussion on Microcrystalline wax.
http://www.pipemakersforum.com/forum/vi ... hp?t=12621

Hi Goose Welcome. This forum is a bit slow these days, but you will eventually get a response. The hard carnauba sold by Vermont Freehand is generally applied to a smooth pipe with a buffing wheel. With a pipe under construction, the surface is buffed with Tripoli, then White Diamond, then the wax i...

Unfortunately, raising and lowering the table changes the alignment. You will have to re align the table every time you change the height. It will work, but it will be cumbersome.
DocAitch

I have a Harbor Freight 13” bench top drill press which gives enough quill travel for most tasks. I think -when the 13” model is fixed to the bench, it is rigid enough for pipe making. You will still have to move the stummel or table to switch between tasks. I do not use a conventional vise, but hav...

The slot holder fits in the tail stock chuck- that is why it has been turned down to ~1/2”. It does not “spin”, but it can be rotated with some force in the Morse taper. Usually I can just grip the chuck and rotate it by hand, but occasionally I have to put the chuck key in place to use as a lever. ...

I use essentially the method that you hypothesize in the OP but I use Delrin pilots instead of the SS rod. You do have to be careful when hand turning the sanding cylinders because the Delrin is flexible and if you are ham handed, you can screw up the face. For new pipes, I occasionally get a light ...

Looks good.
Just a un important tip , but if you want to demonstrate the draft placement in your chamber, shine a light down the draft.
The light will form an hour glass shape on the bottom of the chamber.
It took me a minute to realize that I was looking at a piece of rod.
DocAitch

Weigh the block and mark the weight and date on the block with a pencil.
re weigh it periodically (4-6 weeks). Mark and date.
When the block remains approximately the same weight for a couple of weighings, it has reached the ambient moisture level for your location.
DocAitch

It appears that your lay out is off, since the alignment of the lathe looks right. I don’t know how your briar jaws work, but if there is a single pair of pivot pins, could you just change the angle? Your bit should still intersect the bottom of the chamber at nearly the same place- just a hair high...

This the diagram to which Steve refers. Basically, the billiard shape can be broken down into 3 geometrical components- 2 truncated cones and part of a sphere. Once you understand that, you can see what you have to do to achieve the shape. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/4505/JLScM1.jpg DocAi...

I am sure that your dad will be happy with this pipe. It looks smokable. Because of your unorthodox shape, it is difficult to comment on the esthetics of the pipe, nor is there a transition to critique. However I can see a mismatch of the shank diameter and finish from the stem. I am pretty sure tha...

Informative pictorial, thank you Todd. Also timely- I was in the shop yesterday doing some shaping and put aside a very undistinguished block. Its going to be a billiard and now I have an alternative finish. Any chance we could see that cluster tool? I am pretty sure that I know what it is, but have...

Yes, the closest part of the shank to the stem. I realize my use of “distal” was confusing. In this reference it meant furtherest from the center of the stummel. This applies only to flush fit stems. Non flush fit stems are finished independent of the stummel.
DocAitch

I am new here, but is oak not carcinogenic, therefore cancer causing ergo not good for making pipes out of? I just have to throw this in as food for thought when discussing toxic and carcinogenic materials for SMOKING pipes. TOBACCO smoke contains >250 toxic compounds, at least 10 of which are carc...

Welcome. This is the best source of pipe making information on the web. Become familiar with the search function. It will help you focus your questions, and avoid unnecessary ones.. Check out the Gallery- read entire threads so that you can get an idea of what the experienced pipe makers consider to...

I’m sorry, but I cannot approach this question without descending into the facetious and rude.
We like what we like.
DocAitch

caskwith wrote: ↑Wed Mar 29, 2023 3:56 am I don't agree with Bighornbriar, the shorter airway makes no difference to how hot the pipe smokes, old urban myth of pipemaking.

Yes, I didn’t address that.
DocAitch

Welcome I know at least one artisan pipe maker who didn’t smoke pipes until he started making them. He started off as a penmaker and had some lathe skills that he brought over. I will suggest that you purchase a pipe making kit to start out. These kits are bored for chamber, airway and mortise and a...

Dunhill Duke, Eltang Basic.
I agree with BighornBriar- nothing works like briar.
DocAitch

Just for your information, there is a pipe maker in Italy- Antonio Gesualdi who makes his pipes using a rasp and forms.
He makes quite a few pipes.
If you check out his posts on FB you can see his methods.
DocAitch