Ref.. adding a white dot, etc to a stem...

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 1:45 pm

Where can I obtain white round inlay to place on a stem. It should be about maybe 1/16" dia. or so and long. I would drill a small indentation in the stem then add a drop of super glue and place the inlay rod in the cavity and allow to dry. When dry I would cut off excess rod and then sand and polish area. 1. Where can I obtain this material and 2. any other ways to install inlay on a stem? Thanks, Patrick

baweaverpipes · Post by **baweaverpipes** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:20 pm

Grizzly.com has white inlays for frets on guitars. I believe they are 1/16" diameter.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:29 pm

Thank you! I will try them.

kbadkar · Post by **kbadkar** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:48 pm

The way Dunhill did(does?) the white dot is drill the stem through to the airhole, epoxy/glue in a length of white rod, re-drill airway, then cut, sand, and polish the dot and stem.

Tim West has the white rod, at his jhlowe pipe supply website:

http://www.jhlowe.com/rods.htm

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:22 pm

Somewhere in the dark recesses of my noggin I seem to recall that some knifemaking suppliers carry a similar thing in a couple of small diameters for knife handle decoration. I can't seem to find it, but perhaps Kurt or one of the other pipemaker/knifemaker guys will know.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:05 pm

I'd say the rods from jhlowe are a good way to go.

I think Frank is talking about Mosaic Pins. The smallest I've ever seen are 1/8" diameter.

I use plastic toothpicks. They require a bit more work than the rods from jhlowe becasue they have to be turned or filed to size.

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 6:32 pm

Thank you! Patrick

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:52 pm

FredS wrote:I think Frank is talking about Mosaic Pins. The smallest I've ever seen are 1/8" diameter.

I'm familiar with mosaic pins, they would actually make a cool stem inset. I guess I've forgotten (fried brain cells?) where I saw the small diameter acrylic/plastic rods.

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 7:55 pm

Frank wrote:Somewhere in the dark recesses of my noggin I seem to recall that some knifemaking suppliers carry a similar thing in a couple of small diameters for knife handle decoration. I can't seem to find it, but perhaps Kurt or one of the other pipemaker/knifemaker guys will know.

I know I've seen them, but damned if I can recall where. I just hunted through all my bookmarks, and can't find that stuff anywhere.