pipe 6

[calsbeek]

have at it. This is the first one I can honestly say I'm proud of, so kill it.

[sandahlpipe]

I think there's a lot of good things going on here.

The two things I would work on here would be the fit between shank and stem and the shininess. What kind of buffing setup are you working with?

[calsbeek]

I use a buffing wheel that is in the building I work in but I didn't go in over the weekend so I these pics are from before I buffed it. I'll shine it up today: red/white/wax

the fit between shank and stem has been a constant thorn in my side. On this pipe, i got tear out on the shank while facing with the forster bit on a drill press and again had to try to correct a problem with slow sanding. Should I be turning at high speed? (I was on the slowest setting).

[calsbeek]

update with buffing done

[sandahlpipe]

For facing the shank with a forstner bit, you'll need to spend time sharpening the cutting edge. Even then, you may get tearout, because you're taking off a lot of surface area at once. Use high speed, but shave off little bits at a time. Eliminate as much vibration as you can from the drill press.

[seamonster]

I've always used a slower speed with forstner bits. Is everybody who faces with a forstner cutting at high speeds?

[calsbeek]

and how does one sharpen a forstner?

[sandahlpipe]

I'd recommend something like this: http://www.amazon.com/EZE-LAP-LF-Fine-D ... B0001WP20U

An ez-lap diamond hone and sharpen the part of the bit that comes into contact with the shank face. The diamond hones get into those areas.