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What is the benefit of setting the stain by lighting it on fire while the alcohol is still wet? As opposed to just applying a few coats, letting the alcohol flash off by itself, and letting the pipe sit with the stain on for a day or two.

Thanks for the feedback and I totally understand. Pipe two is going to be a cherry wood shape. We'll see how it goes without having to worry about the plateau.

My dad loves the pipe, he smoked it today.

16 hours and I have a smokeable pipe. Much to improve on. Like A LOT! Went through 4 blocks to get this one right, then 10 hours later I had a finished stummel. Another 6 hours of trial and error an I had a poorly shaped hand cut stem from acrylic. It is going to my dad as a gift and he wanted it a ...

Beautiful!

The thin profile of your stem bits literally has my mouth watering!

Jeremiah,
Once I get my feet wet, a visit may be in order. I will for sure stop by your table at the show and say hi.

Thanks everyone! I am waiting until the show to buy some materials to play with. In the mean time, I'm setting up and area in my basement for a small workshop. I am also into electronics so if I decide I don't like working with wood, I can just transfer it over to my electronics shop. I've been able...

How bad is briar dust?
I'm setting this up in my basement. I don't want to contaminate the whole house with dust.

I assume with the drill press you need to drill before shaping. Do you use anything between the vise and the briar? Also, when I sand the pipe to shape it, will a shop vac work to catch the dust?

Not speaking as a pipe maker, but as a pipe smoker, your bit hurts my teeth.

Thanks guys. Turns out my dad has a band saw and drill press I can use. Is there a laser I can get to mount onto the drill press to aid in centering? They are both from the 80s but work.

Thanks for the encouragement and reality check. I will be stopping at the Vermont freehand area at Chicago for various supplies to play with. Pretty exciting at this point. I will continue to research in the meantime.

All good info. Thank you. I'm not expecting to ever make 500 dollar pipes. I'm fairly lost on how to cut the tenon and face things nicely without a lathe. I could not get enough time off of work to attend the seminar at Chicago. But you suggestions have me rethinking this. I could probably get by wi...

Southeastern. About 3 hours from Zimmerman. I appreciate the offer!

Good question. One I've asked myself since putting the list together. Especially now realizing a 9 x 20 lathe would be better.

Startup investment would pay for itself if I'm buying 4 or 5 $500 pipes per year.

Maybe to make it feasible I'd have to sell some for peanuts on the side.

Actually, more like these

In an attempt to make myself some pipes since I can no longer afford the pipes that I like to buy, I am trying to put together a list of the equipment I will need. I am hoping to pick up some supplies at the Chicago show next week. But threw this list together. Please provide input or add to the lis...

Real name: Adam Age: 30 Location: Minnesota, USA Years a pipe smoker: 12 How you got into pipe making: Just looking into it right now. Other interesting facts: I am a Rad Davis and Stephen Downie collector who is looking to try his hand an pipe making. Mostly for myself more so than trying to sell t...