One more

[Nick]

Man, I'm on fire here!

Id love to here any comments. Thanks!

[Nick]

Nobody like me!

(just kidding)

[kbadkar]

It's got that rugged Custom-Bilt charm. No pretensions. Nice backdrop for it.

Weren't you re-located without proper tools?

And yes Nick, there is nobody like you!

[Spence Pipes]

Pretty cool. Reminds me of a rock, and I mean that in a good way.Lol. The texture makes me think of the type of rock cliffs I seen all the time when I lived in North Carolina.

[Nick]

Thanks guys! Yep, no tools here in Connecticut. This was done with a motor, sand paper and files. Freehand drilled it and all. Although Premal at Smokers Haven cut the tenon for me. That's a bit tricky to do freehand.

[Spence Pipes]

Yeah the tenon has been a touchy subject for me too. I tried to free hand one. Looked like a dog chewed on it. I still need to get a four jaw chuck and get it modified so i can turn tenons. I've ruined about 5 stems trying to do it with a 3 jaw chuck. Some one should invent a machine you just stick the end of the stem in, set it to the desired size tenon and poof, it's cut perfect.

[Frank]

Some one should invent a machine you just stick the end of the stem in, set it to the desired size tenon and poof, it's cut perfect.

Something like an electric pencil sharpener, but straight sided for tenons.

[Nick]

pretty cool idea frank!

[KurtHuhn]

Pipemakers' Emporium carries tools designed for exactly that:
http://www.pipemakers.org/tools02.html
(bottom two)
You mount them on a motor, set the diameter, and away you go. All you need to do is pre-drill a 1/8" hole in your stem blank for the guide pin.

I don't use one, and don't know anyone that does - and I don't know how well they perform.