Spoon Bits

Tano · Post by **Tano** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:17 pm

Hi Brad,

I don't know what size most of the expert pipemakers use, but isn't anything less than 3/4 diameter too small? Presently I use ballnose bits in 3/4, 7/8,and 15/16

ckr · Post by **ckr** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:02 pm

Brad,

I am unfamiliar with spoon bits in general. That being the case I would just as soon get the set of seven by Chifton as I would not know how the ones you are making would preform better. After doing so I might learn something more and possible kick myself in the butt for passing this up.

http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/pr ... ts_id/1836

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:29 pm

If Brad's making the ones I'm thinking of, the same ones that a lot of high-grade makers use, it's no comparison to the Clifton ones. The Clifton bits are good (from what I hear) but they're not profiled to a 'bullet' shape - a sort of rounded cone. That means you're pretty much stuck with billiard-ish shapes due to the shape and size of the tobacco chamber. The rounded cone that you find on modern 'spoon' bits give way more (as in *lots* more) freedom in the shape of your pipe. It's the same shape I grind my Silver and Deming bits to.

I really can't imagine you being disappointed with a set of Brad's bits. Done right, they're the ultimate in pipe making tobacco chamber bits.

ToddJohnson · Post by **ToddJohnson** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:41 pm

ckr wrote:Brad,

I am unfamiliar with spoon bits in general. That being the case I would just as soon get the set of seven by Chifton as I would not know how the ones you are making would preform better. After doing so I might learn something more and possible kick myself in the butt for passing this up.

http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/pr ... ts_id/1836

Those will be really fantastic for making Windsor chairs, but nothing else. The name "spoon bits" has ust been attached to these things because nobody knows what the hell to call them. Properly speaking, they're not spoon bits. They're custom made self tracking tobacco chamber bits that cannot be replaced by anything readily available in the marketplace.

Todd

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:18 pm

ToddJohnson wrote:Those will be really fantastic for making Windsor chairs, but nothing else. The name "spoon bits" has ust been attached to these things because nobody knows what the hell to call them. Properly speaking, they're not spoon bits. They're custom made self tracking tobacco chamber bits that cannot be replaced by anything readily available in the marketplace.

*smacks forehead*

That's what I was *trying* to say, and failed. Thanks Todd.

brooklynpipes · Post by **brooklynpipes** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:48 pm

definitely interested in the set. just curious if the bit will taper toward the bottom....

jbacon · Post by **jbacon** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:43 am

hi brad

i m in

jim

ckr · Post by **ckr** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:15 am

After doing so I might learn something more and possible kick myself in the butt for passing this up.

I'm in.

Kurt/Todd, Thank you so much for the sore butt.

souljer · Post by **souljer** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:21 am

I know Brad knows how to make a pipe and he said he's a machinist.

That combined with Todd and Kurt's endorsements means there really is no choice for me.

Put me down for a set.

BDP · Post by **BDP** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:22 pm

All,

So far as I understand, I have 6 committed people:

Souljer
Dan Gabrieli
JBacon
CKR
Nick
Kurt Huhn

I will leave this list open for a week for everyone to view and for final decisions to be made... once this train leaves the station the price goes to "per/piece" if anyone wants one made...

Brad

BDP · Post by **BDP** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:32 pm

Tano wrote:Hi Brad,

I don't know what size most of the expert pipemakers use, but isn't anything less than 3/4 diameter too small? Presently I use ballnose bits in 3/4, 7/8,and 15/16

Hi Tano,

I don't know what size they use either! I use an 11/16th at the bottom of a bowl sometimes when I want to make sure I have enough wall thickness on a narrow bowl exterior. I then use the 3/4 bit to open up the top of the bowl wider, making a nice tapered bowl chamber. By the way, 11/16ths is one of my personal favorite bowl sizes, especially for flakes. It is small in diameter, but delivers a really nice overall smoking experience. Try it for yourself..

Brad

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:33 pm

I find that the 21/32 bowl size gives me a far superior smoke with flakes than the 11/16th. I mean rreeaally! Who uses 11/16ths anymore. Its so 20th century.

Tano · Post by **Tano** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:32 pm

Hi All
So I guess the sizes have been decided on. I'm a little reluctant on the 11/16, and at 250 for the set i'm afraid I will only use the bigger ones, and thats too much money for me, for two bits. Hence this time I will pass.
Thanks

magruder · Post by **magruder** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:05 pm

Perhaps it would be timely to remind folks that these bits are the only way to shape first and drill second. I'll be getting a set for sure Brad.
Thanx,
Steve Morrisette

sethile · Post by **sethile** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:40 pm

BDP wrote:All,
So far as I understand, I have 6 committed people:

Brad, Please count me in too! I've got to have them, and I'll figure out how to afford them later

staffwalker · Post by **staffwalker** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:03 pm

Tano wrote:

<Presently I use ballnose bits in 3/4, 7/8,and 15/16>

I agree with those sizes and would commit to a set of 3/4, 7/8 amd 15/16. I don't know anything of what's required in machining a bit but wouldn't it be possible to offer your three sizes plus these three and let each person pick a set of three for the $250 price?

I think perhaps most of the pipes made for sale use the smaller bowl sizes but there are still lots of folks, myself included who relish the larger bowl sizes. There is always the possibility that those of us who aspire to be sucessful pipemakers would come back and order the three smaller sizes at a later date.

bob gilbert

Tano · Post by **Tano** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:37 pm

All I'm saying that for me, to see the value, is to buy three bits that I would use. Maybe one other size could be offered, or possibly for those that can afford it, offer a set of five.

ToddJohnson · Post by **ToddJohnson** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:40 am

Guys, a little public service announcement:

Brad is providing a service. Perhaps he will make enough money to cover his time, but it is unlikely. The only this can be done is by offering bits in the most common sizes and asking who wants to participate. Don't ask the man to make yours a little bit bigger, or a little bit smaller, or pink, or green, or with crown molding or twenty inch rims. It's not feasible. And as far as the price goes, you'd be hard pressed to get a single one of these made by a machine shop for les than $250. Having them made by a former toolmaker who *also* knows the specific requirements of a pipemaker is invaluable. So, even if you think you're only going to use one or two of them, this is your chance to get a set. They're not available and they're not likely to become so.

Todd

Skip · Post by **Skip** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:50 am

Count me in
Skip Elliott

Tano · Post by **Tano** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:03 am

Brad,
I guess I'd be foolish not to listen to those who know more than me. Thats what this forum is about, right?
Count me in.
How do we get a hold of each other to iron out the details?

pipemakersforum.com

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