Worst Block Ever
Worst Block Ever
I started drilling a stummel today:
Didn't look at all bad on the outside. There was a flaw on the top of the shank near the bowl, but it was way on the outside, and I figured it would disappear when I cut the shank. I drilled the smoke hole and swiveled it to drill the bowl. A couple of "minor flaws" showed themselves:
So I decided to so some sawing on it to see just how bad this sucker was:
Front half (that's the back half to you, Tyler):
Back half (that's the front half to you, Tyler):
Since the back half was the worst, I sawed it in half right down the smoke hole:
I've never seen a block this bad before. I'm glad I don't shape before drilling.
Although I'm pretty sure I would have run into some part of this during shaping.
Rad
Didn't look at all bad on the outside. There was a flaw on the top of the shank near the bowl, but it was way on the outside, and I figured it would disappear when I cut the shank. I drilled the smoke hole and swiveled it to drill the bowl. A couple of "minor flaws" showed themselves:
So I decided to so some sawing on it to see just how bad this sucker was:
Front half (that's the back half to you, Tyler):
Back half (that's the front half to you, Tyler):
Since the back half was the worst, I sawed it in half right down the smoke hole:
I've never seen a block this bad before. I'm glad I don't shape before drilling.
Although I'm pretty sure I would have run into some part of this during shaping.
Rad
- SimeonTurner
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Re: Worst Block Ever
Ha!
You have offended the briar gods, Rad. They are angry with you, and require a sacrifice. I hope you have some virgins handy...
You have offended the briar gods, Rad. They are angry with you, and require a sacrifice. I hope you have some virgins handy...
"It is noble to be good; it is still nobler to teach others to be good - and less trouble."
Turner Pipes Website:
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Turner Pipes Website:
http://www.turnerpipes.com
Of Briar and Ashes:
http://turnerpipes.wordpress.com
Re: Worst Block Ever
Now that's impressive! Just goes to show, you shouldn't grow your own!
Re: Worst Block Ever
There are probably a hundred witty things I could say, but I think I'm too in shock. That block is crazy, doesn't even look like briar.
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Re: Worst Block Ever
I had one the other day I tossed. Realized the little spot I saw while shaping the outside grew to an ugly hole on the inside after drilling.
Not sure I want my hobby to turn into my job largely because I grow to hate my job....
Re: Worst Block Ever
Good pictures! These will help guys like me who have no idea what some of you makers put up with.
Re: Worst Block Ever
Those are just scratches. Sand a little more carefully and they'll come right out.
Re: Worst Block Ever
You're getting better with every pipe Rad!
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Re: Worst Block Ever
I'm going to stop complaining about all the little flaws I'm running into in my chambers lately.
Re: Worst Block Ever
That block looks familiar...RadDavis wrote:
Rad
"No reserves, no retreats, no regrets"
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
"When you're dumb...you've got to be tough." - my dad
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Re: Worst Block Ever
Impressive! I haven't seen one that bad in a long time. You're pretty much obligated at that point to slice it up and use it on the grill.
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Re: Worst Block Ever
Thank you for clarifying which sides you had trouble with.
The most shocking thing to me is how normal the outside of that block looks, by comparison.
The most shocking thing to me is how normal the outside of that block looks, by comparison.
Tyler Lane Pipes
http://www.tylerlanepipes.com
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Re: Worst Block Ever
Oddly enough I have just cut into a bad block also, couple of small spots on the outside but inside it was like swiss cheese, I think it may still be smokable as none of the flaws go through to the shank or airway but it certainly going in the shop pipe pile
Re: Worst Block Ever
I know! Usually there's at least some clue. There was a very small flaw on the top of the bowl, but it was centered enough that the bowl drilling would get rid of it. That and the flaw on the outside edge of the shank were the only bad spots on the outside.Tyler wrote:Thank you for clarifying which sides you had trouble with.
The most shocking thing to me is how normal the outside of that block looks, by comparison.
I guess I just got lucky with the shape placement in the block.
Rad