Hello from Reno
Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 12:27 pm
I have been poking around on this group for a couple of weeks now. Actually started my first attempt at a pipe and have made a couple of posts about it. Mainly an exorcise to find out how much I can get done in my current shop and what I will need to add. I have made pens for many years so I have a fairly good shop with three lathes one of which is a metal lathe (7X12) and one wood lathe that is a very good one for what I can't do int he metal lathe. I also have a drill press that I am familiar enough with to actually use accurately. Band saw, radial arm saw, dremel tool. as far as I can tell I am pretty wells set for the large ticket equipment. I have started a list of small items I need to get in order to attempt a second or third pipe, as well as some decisions to make that I woudl like to get some input on.
as for my list
a half dozen Briar blocks. (Cheap practice quality)
A french wheel and sanding pads that will mount on the head stock of my lathe (several options here but I like the idea of holding a wheel in my collet chuck if there is such an animal.
A set of jaws for my Nova chuck to hold the briar block.
possibly some buffing compounds. I have a buffer and unused wheels but my compounds where selected for polishing pens and may not be complete for polishing pipes.
A tobacco chamber drill bit. for the moment I am looking for a 3/4 inch tapered bit until I have need for other shapes. I am stuck on this decision a little bit. First I am not sure I will make very many pipes but I also am of the mind set that if I am going to do it then do it right. I am debating between grinding a spade bit or a 3/4 inch SD bit. one is a $3 answer the other a $20. My mind also says there will be a considerable difference in the quality of the tool.
I woudl appreciate hearing from others that have already gone down this path as to weather a spade bit is quality enough for the first half dozen pipes. I know that if this turns into something that I continue to do I will get the SD bit eventually.
Finally the bad news. I am working form nearly nothing including money. so every dollar counts and I have more time than money atm. even if I made a half dozen practice pipes. I would like them to be good enough to be able to sell them even at an insulting price and return that money to the craft to increase my ability to make better ones. I am not limited to selling the first pipe I make to pay for the second. but I am pretty close to it.
Making things for my self is preferred to buying it as long as it does not drastically influence the quality of the finished pipe. Keep in mind my personal skill in the shop are fairly well refined. I am looking for opinions on weather the quality of one tool over another makes a difference
Thanks in advance for allowing me to borrow you knowledge and experiences.
as for my list
a half dozen Briar blocks. (Cheap practice quality)
A french wheel and sanding pads that will mount on the head stock of my lathe (several options here but I like the idea of holding a wheel in my collet chuck if there is such an animal.
A set of jaws for my Nova chuck to hold the briar block.
possibly some buffing compounds. I have a buffer and unused wheels but my compounds where selected for polishing pens and may not be complete for polishing pipes.
A tobacco chamber drill bit. for the moment I am looking for a 3/4 inch tapered bit until I have need for other shapes. I am stuck on this decision a little bit. First I am not sure I will make very many pipes but I also am of the mind set that if I am going to do it then do it right. I am debating between grinding a spade bit or a 3/4 inch SD bit. one is a $3 answer the other a $20. My mind also says there will be a considerable difference in the quality of the tool.
I woudl appreciate hearing from others that have already gone down this path as to weather a spade bit is quality enough for the first half dozen pipes. I know that if this turns into something that I continue to do I will get the SD bit eventually.
Finally the bad news. I am working form nearly nothing including money. so every dollar counts and I have more time than money atm. even if I made a half dozen practice pipes. I would like them to be good enough to be able to sell them even at an insulting price and return that money to the craft to increase my ability to make better ones. I am not limited to selling the first pipe I make to pay for the second. but I am pretty close to it.
Making things for my self is preferred to buying it as long as it does not drastically influence the quality of the finished pipe. Keep in mind my personal skill in the shop are fairly well refined. I am looking for opinions on weather the quality of one tool over another makes a difference
Thanks in advance for allowing me to borrow you knowledge and experiences.