cutting the perfect stem taper

For discussion of fitting and shaping stems, doing inlays, and any other stem-related topic.
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calsbeek
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Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 12:11 pm

cutting the perfect stem taper

Post by calsbeek »

can someone walk me through this?
Is this type of taper at the stem/shank junction the product of a custom cutting tool or hour after hour of mind-numbing, spirit draining, divorce inducing sanding?

if the former can you describe the tool to me so that I might venture forth and craft one for mine own self?

If the latter...well, I'm hoping for the former.
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baweaverpipes
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Re: cutting the perfect stem taper

Post by baweaverpipes »

Just shape tools with a radius.
I have a number of tools with a different radius, depending on what I'm going for.
Make sure they're sharp.
While on the lathe, sand smooth and tripoli.
Just think it through, it's rather basic.
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Sasquatch
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Re: cutting the perfect stem taper

Post by Sasquatch »

It's as complicated as rolling some sandpaper on a pencil..

To cut a shape like that, you are obviously going to be able to do better on the tenon side because it's round proper, whereas when you drift toward the flattend part of the stem, you can only cut as deep as the stem is wide, so top and bottom you wind up treating the last little bit by hand off the lathe, but again a chainsaw file, a rolled up sandpaper, and off you go.
ALL YOUR PIPE ARE BELONG TO US!
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calsbeek
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Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 12:11 pm

Re: cutting the perfect stem taper

Post by calsbeek »

awesome
that was easy.
thanks guys
-r
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