WCannoy wrote:Are we still working under the premise that all of these 'fixes' are acceptable for artisan pipe production? Or are we just throwing out ideas for repairs?
If I just paid several hundred dollars for a new handmade pipe, and found out that the tenon had not been turned to fit the mortise properly and was jerry-rigged into fitting... well, I'd be pissed!
Do it right, or do it over.
While I only speak for myself, I don't know that anyone is saying that. I am sure there are some folks out there who would think that anything that works is legitimate. I'm still learning. I know very little about making a good pipe, and I don't assume anything. But I will write this as an experienced teacher and somewhat artistic woodturner.
When I have a student who comes to learn, one of the things we discuss is how to fix problems. I teach people what problems are fixable and what aren't. Beyond that, I discuss what fixes are appropriate and what aren't. A big hole in an art bowl (in the right places) makes it worth more. A big hole in a functional bowl makes it worth less. Some holes benefit from being filled. Some don't. Lot's of almost finished pieces get tossed into the furnace. But I don't like tossing something if it can be fixed legitimately.
My goal here is to learn what is fixable and what isn't, and why. From that point of view, I think this has been a good discussion. I don't necessarily think all the methods above are a good idea, but some have merit.
And, I am working on a second stem, but for different reasons. But even in that failure I have learned bunches.