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Leland Maple ECP #1
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 10:32 pm
by RobEsArt
Re: Leland Maple ECP #1
Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 10:54 pm
by sandahlpipe
The calabash is a tough one to pull off. I've wanted to try one, but haven't worked up to it yet.
Here, I think the shank is a bit skinny for the bowl and also too tall and cylindrical. A calabash widens near the top more significantly. And the curve around the bowl to the stem should be a flowing line. The line here has an abrupt turn on the bottom of the bowl, rather than a flowing curve.
The stem should have a consistent taper in my opinion. There are a couple uneven pinch points on the stem that could be more graceful. Also, the corners of the button look sharp, but it's hard to see for sure on the pictures. I usually round over the sides of the button for comfort.
Is your gasket made from cork? I can't tell for sure. If it is cork, I wonder how that will hold up under moisture. Perhaps someone else knows for sure.
Keep 'me coming!
Re: Leland Maple ECP #1
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 12:27 am
by RobEsArt
The basic idea did come from the calabash concept. I wasn't trying to mimic the classic calabash shape. Not yet anyway. I like to play and experiment with different woods and use chunky scraps of briar for the insert bowl. The prototype in this line I smoke regularly, however, I made a maple shank extension that inserts into a jarra expansion chamber. The maple expanded more than the jarra would accommodate, and a crack appeared in the jarra section of the shank. A little disappointing, but now I get to make a Leland maple exp. chamber for the briar bowl and the stem from that first pipe. I love to play.
I will look at the corners of the button tomorrow. You may be correct. A little tweaking as necessary, and then move onto the next one.
The gasket is cork, I haven't had any issues with the prototype pipe regarding this. I do however use a light coating of cork grease (woodwind instrument conditioner for cork, available at most musical instrument stores. I happen to have some because I dabble with playing a tenor recorder from time to time).
For this type of pipe, I insert a fresh, half size cotton ball into the expansion chamber before every smoke. This collects moisture, and makes cleaning the exp. chamber real easy.
Thanks again for your thoughts and insights.
I hope this was a typo... "Keep 'me coming!"
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Would you at least buy dinner first.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Re: Leland Maple ECP #1
Posted: Mon May 19, 2014 12:31 am
by sandahlpipe
Aargh! I hate autocorrect!
Good insight into the cork gasket. I think you're on the right track there.