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How to bend pipe stems?

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Jitterbugdude

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Any of you brand spankin' new pipe makers want to answer this question for me? Can you bend acrylic pipe stems? if so, how?
I've bent ebonite by placing a pipe cleaner in side, heating the stem, gently bending and then cooling in water. Can this be done with acrylic?
 

istanbulin

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Acrylic polymers are thermoplastic so the system used for ebonite stems may be applied. I looked up the Tg of some acrylic (Poly(methyl methacrylate)) polymers, they vary from 185 to 329 °F. Temperature (or quick heating) may be a problem for you if Tg is lower. IMO, a slow heating element may help.
 

Knucklehead

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I heat and bend with a candle. Both acrylic and ebonite. Slowly heat a wide area so you get a gentle curve. Cool under water.
 

BigCasino

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What Ak said will work also alcohol burners, heat guns, some hair dryers, with open flame it is easy to damage the finish so be careful and keep the stem moving, it will need buffed any way but the less damage you do the easier to finish
 

Jitterbugdude

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Are you making a pipe? Pictures.

Yes and no.
I'm rebuilding my South Bend metal lathe and might have another go at making some when I get it done (in about another 2 weeks).
I took my MM cob pipe over the weekend and replaced the stem with an Ebonite one. This got me thinking that I really like some of the acrylic stems (the colors) and might get a few to play with.
 
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