Hello Everyone,
Just curious, how long does it take for others to make a pipe from start to finish. I'm not in any hurry whatsoever, but it takes me at least eight hours (and sometimes more) to finish one including the stem.
Progcat@msn.com
How Long Does it Take You to Make a Pipe
I don't really track time, but I spend at least ten hours, spread over one to two months as I get an hour or two to work on one. I do a lot of shaping by hand with files, sandpaper, and occasionally pocket knives (for instance, the ridge around the front of the edge of pipe 1805 I cut with a knife ). I handcut stems on all my pipes.
- StephenDownie
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A minimum of between 8 and 12 hours per pipe. I cut all my own stems and do a lot of shank extensions though.
Stephen Downie
www.downiepipes.com
www.downiepipes.com
I would say maybe 3 to 4 sittings of 3 to 4 hours each. All of my stems are handcut.
John
www.crosbypipes.com
www.crosbypipes.com
- KurtHuhn
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That depends.
Some pipes take me about 1.5 to 2 hours start to finish. Other pipes take much longer depending on stem material, shank extensions, and finish type. The most I ever spent was about 8 hours total on a special order. That pipe gave me a load of trouble.
Regardless of how much total time it takes me, it typically take about 2 weeks to get a completed pipe finished. I let the wood rest after boring and rough shaping.
Some pipes take me about 1.5 to 2 hours start to finish. Other pipes take much longer depending on stem material, shank extensions, and finish type. The most I ever spent was about 8 hours total on a special order. That pipe gave me a load of trouble.
Regardless of how much total time it takes me, it typically take about 2 weeks to get a completed pipe finished. I let the wood rest after boring and rough shaping.
- KurtHuhn
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
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Well, just my own set of prejudices that I developed after 20-something years of working with wood. Wood needs to acclimate itself, and I figure "what can it hurt". I don't know if it helps, but it sure isn't hurting.
What I hope to gain is a pipe that takes a smooth finish much better than one that hasn't rested. I figure, with the wood rough shaped and drilled, there's still moisture to be released, and I want to give it the time to leave.
Crazy and wacko? Maybe....
What I hope to gain is a pipe that takes a smooth finish much better than one that hasn't rested. I figure, with the wood rough shaped and drilled, there's still moisture to be released, and I want to give it the time to leave.
Crazy and wacko? Maybe....
- StephenDownie
- Posts: 228
- Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
- Location: Canada
- Contact:
Kurt,
I try to leave the drilled block for a good month or two as well. My reasoning is the same as yours. Get the last bit of moisture out of the heart of the block. I usually leave them in a sunlit window. The only possible exceptions are for special orders when the customer wants the Pipe ASAP and then I use a moisture meter to make sure all is well before sending it off..
I try to leave the drilled block for a good month or two as well. My reasoning is the same as yours. Get the last bit of moisture out of the heart of the block. I usually leave them in a sunlit window. The only possible exceptions are for special orders when the customer wants the Pipe ASAP and then I use a moisture meter to make sure all is well before sending it off..
Stephen Downie
www.downiepipes.com
www.downiepipes.com