Cutting raw meerschaum

Interested in making clay pipes, meerschaums, olive woods, or some other exotic material? Talk about it here.
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Oakbear
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Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by Oakbear »

I have some bits of meerschaum winging their way to me.
2 of them are in pipe blank type shapes, but the third is a big gnarly lump as it came out of the ground.

I know that you can work it wet like carving soap, or dry which is a bit brittle.

I think i am going to do the basic shaping and drilling wet, then finish dry. But how do it cut the big lump into a workable shape?
I worry if it is wet that a large irregular shape might not be very stable. I worry if it is dry it will crack.

Anybody have any experience of doing this?
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sandahlpipe
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by sandahlpipe »

I've only done one meerschaum pipe from a block, but I drilled it wet and did 99% of the shaping with a carving knife. Didn't take me that long to whittle away the extra material. You could easily use a bandsaw or coping saw even, because it's just that soft.

One way or another, you've gotta get it dry. That means it's got a chance it will crack. If it's going to crack, I'm not sure there's much you can do about it.
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kamkiel
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by kamkiel »

I think I remember seeing some useful information on working with it here. Do a search for it. I think Mr. Connoy goes into some detail.
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Joe Hinkle Pipes
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by Joe Hinkle Pipes »

I had a large lumpy block of meerschaum last year. I used the bandsaw to cut the wet block. It was super easy to cut into an ebauchon type shape and chuck into the lathe.
Oakbear
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by Oakbear »

Thank guys.

I did a search before posting, and did find this useful thread viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6294 .
Not much on here about meerschaum though, and nothing from Walt Cannoy if that's who you mean (although he does make a brilliant meer pipe).

Joe thanks for that, i just had visions of it coming apart if wet as it was too soft! I'll give it a soak before cutting into blanks i think.
Did you soak again before chucking it or let it harden first?
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by kamkiel »

Oakbear wrote:Thank guys.

I did a search before posting, and did find this useful thread viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6294 .
Not much on here about meerschaum though, and nothing from Walt Cannoy if that's who you mean (although he does make a brilliant meer pipe)
That is the thread I was referring to, for some reason I thought it was Walt Cannoy who was the main contributer (even though I spelled his name incorrectly :oops: )
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Joe Hinkle Pipes
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by Joe Hinkle Pipes »

I don't think it will matter too much. I let the block dry for a day or so just so it wasn't totally wet on the outside when cutting.
Oakbear
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by Oakbear »

kamkiel wrote: That is the thread I was referring to, for some reason I thought it was Walt Cannoy who was the main contributer (even though I spelled his name incorrectly :oops: )
Ah cool, i just wanted to check i hadn't missed something. I'm sure that you can be forgiven for getting one letter wrong. My Sichaunese Mandarin is a bit rusty now i think about it! :lol:

Joe thanks for the info. I'm probably over thinking things as usual. The damn stuff hasn't even arrived safely yet!
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PremalChheda
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by PremalChheda »

Katana or wakizashi works best for cutting.

or maybe just a coping saw. I would keep it wet always until final shape is achieved.
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Joe Hinkle Pipes
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by Joe Hinkle Pipes »

Wakizashi is preferred for indoor cutting, although a plasma cutter is also an option.
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PremalChheda
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by PremalChheda »

Solomon_pipes wrote:Wakizashi is preferred for indoor cutting, although a plasma cutter is also an option.
Plasma cutter is overkill. Laser is really the way to cut Meerschaum properly.
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Oakbear
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Re: Cutting raw meerschaum

Post by Oakbear »

Thanks for the advice gents. I was initially worried as i only have a Nodachi, which i thought might be a bit much, but managed to dig out the old military grade laser cutter from the attic, so i should be fine.
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