Bamboo Stems - Help
Bamboo Stems - Help
Good evening guys!
I am buying a smaller lathe for stem work in the next few days and i want to start making bamboo stems.
I have tried to search the forum but i cannot find an answer to my main doubts, which are:
- Is it possible to face / drill bamboo on a lathe?
- If not, how do you achieve that smooth transition between the bamboo and the briar / ebonite / acrylic?
Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards,
Bruno Robalo
I am buying a smaller lathe for stem work in the next few days and i want to start making bamboo stems.
I have tried to search the forum but i cannot find an answer to my main doubts, which are:
- Is it possible to face / drill bamboo on a lathe?
- If not, how do you achieve that smooth transition between the bamboo and the briar / ebonite / acrylic?
Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards,
Bruno Robalo
- wisemanpipes
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Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
That's a pretty good link. I use pin gauges to chuck up the bamboo after it's drilled to face off the ends. One thing I do different than the process in the link is that I use 3/8" OD stainless steel tube with and ID of 5/32". After I drill the 5/32" airway I drill a 3/8" mortise for the stainless. That way there are no reductions in the airway to cause issues.
- Tyler
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Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
Yeah, I don't do it that way anymore either. I do it with pin gauges and 3/16" stainless. My pipes are feminine though, and Wayne's are manly, so he can get away with 3/8".wdteipen wrote:That's a pretty good link. I use pin gauges to chuck up the bamboo after it's drilled to face off the ends. One thing I do different than the process in the link is that I use 3/8" OD stainless steel tube with and ID of 5/32". After I drill the 5/32" airway I drill a 3/8" mortise for the stainless. That way there are no reductions in the airway to cause issues.
Tyler Lane Pipes
http://www.tylerlanepipes.com
http://www.tylerlanepipes.com
Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
Oops! I meant 3/16" not 3/8". You're right, though, my pipes are much more manly.
- PremalChheda
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Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
1. - Yes, facing is usually done on lathe. Drilling can be done by hand or on lathe or drill press.brurobas wrote:Good evening guys!
I am buying a smaller lathe for stem work in the next few days and i want to start making bamboo stems.
I have tried to search the forum but i cannot find an answer to my main doubts, which are:
- Is it possible to face / drill bamboo on a lathe?
- If not, how do you achieve that smooth transition between the bamboo and the briar / ebonite / acrylic?
Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards,
Bruno Robalo
2. - Facing also can be done by hand if you do not have access to the lathe with files, sandpaper and flat surface.
Premal Chheda
http://www.chhedapipes.com - Just for fun
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http://www.rawkrafted.com - Pipe Making Tools, Materials, & Supplies
http://www.chhedapipes.com - Just for fun
http://www.smokershaven.com - New & Estate Pipes
http://www.rawkrafted.com - Pipe Making Tools, Materials, & Supplies
Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
I use an aircraft counterbore chucked in my motor to flush bambooPremalChheda wrote:2. - Facing also can be done by hand if you do not have access to the lathe with files, sandpaper and flat surface.
It has a piece of 3/16 drill rod intsalled in the pilot. While it's spinning, I push my piece of bamboo onto the pin and the face cutters flush the end of the bamboo.
Kim Kendall
http://www.PenguinBriar.com/
http://www.PenguinBriar.com/
Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
Cool idea, Kim. 2-in-1 then! Saving on time and making it easier.
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Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
you're holding the bamboo by hand? i've been using a fuller counterbore in a drill press and the holding the bamboo in a vise with some v blocks, do you find the bamboo is faced 100% square by hand? hairline gaps in the shank stem junctions seem hard to avoid but thats why i thought the bamboo was usually chucked up and faced on the lathe. that counterbore looks more like a pen mill than the one i usekkendall wrote:I use an aircraft counterbore chucked in my motor to flush bambooPremalChheda wrote:2. - Facing also can be done by hand if you do not have access to the lathe with files, sandpaper and flat surface.
It has a piece of 3/16 drill rod intsalled in the pilot. While it's spinning, I push my piece of bamboo onto the pin and the face cutters flush the end of the bamboo.
- Tyler
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Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
Bamboo can't really be chucked up. If a lathe is used to face (and it often is), then you mount it on a pin and chuck the pin.mcgregorpipes wrote:you're holding the bamboo by hand? i've been using a fuller counterbore in a drill press and the holding the bamboo in a vise with some v blocks, do you find the bamboo is faced 100% square by hand? hairline gaps in the shank stem junctions seem hard to avoid but thats why i thought the bamboo was usually chucked up and faced on the lathe. that counterbore looks more like a pen mill than the one i usekkendall wrote:I use an aircraft counterbore chucked in my motor to flush bambooPremalChheda wrote:2. - Facing also can be done by hand if you do not have access to the lathe with files, sandpaper and flat surface.
It has a piece of 3/16 drill rod intsalled in the pilot. While it's spinning, I push my piece of bamboo onto the pin and the face cutters flush the end of the bamboo.
Tyler Lane Pipes
http://www.tylerlanepipes.com
http://www.tylerlanepipes.com
Re: Bamboo Stems - Help
Yes - I hold the bamboo by hand, run it up on the pin and flush the face.mcgregorpipes wrote: you're holding the bamboo by hand? i've been using a fuller counterbore in a drill press and the holding the bamboo in a vise with some v blocks, do you find the bamboo is faced 100% square by hand? hairline gaps in the shank stem junctions seem hard to avoid but thats why i thought the bamboo was usually chucked up and faced on the lathe. that counterbore looks more like a pen mill than the one i use
"faced 100% square by hand?" ... yes
Kim Kendall
http://www.PenguinBriar.com/
http://www.PenguinBriar.com/