Just got some stems and bowls

[Jpcouling]

So I just received a bunch of mismatch stems and bowls on ebay. I like the pipe bowls (especially the Buddha) and I have yet to see if the stems will fit any of them. Here is a pic of my lot:

http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=161264735980

So if most of the bowls do not go together with the stems ( I assume most won't) , how should I go about finding matches to them? Maybe some of our resident pipe crafters could chime in on how to get the right stem

 

[Knucklehead]

These guys have a lot of stems, all different shapes and sizes. You'll need to look at their stems and then do some measuring of your stummels. You should be able to find something you can work with, even if you have to sand the outside dimension of the stem to the same diameter as your bowls and then re-polish the stem. http://www.pimopipecraft.com/

Nice looking batch of pipes you have there. It will be a good introduction to the world of pipes for you. You'll be carving new ones from blocks of wood before you know it. If you need any help just holler.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

You could also head the the Chicago Pipe show ( The largest show in the US). The show is early May (I think).
Pimo is good (like Knucs said) but there are quite a few others that sells stems. You might also want to get the tenon cutter from Pimo so you can get a good fit with your stem.

 

[Jpcouling]

Thanks for the help to both of you, once I get the bowls I will measure the tenons and see what I can do with PIMO stems. Maybe the Chicago Pipe Show another time! Sounds great and isn't all that far away but my schedule doesn't work this time around.

 

[Desertpipe]

You are fortunate to have one of the oldest, and in my mind, one of the most interesting Brick and Mortar Pipe Shops within a fairly short drive. Paul's Pipe Shop and Pipe Hospital in Flint, Michigan. It is run by the second generation of the Spaniola family, and Dan Spaniola is one of the truly good guys. I would be willing to bet that if you explain that you need to buy some bits and have the tenons cut to fit some pipe bowls that you are wanting to restore, that they would work with you. Cutting the tenon is the most difficult part of fitting a new bit, and the rest can be done by hand. Let them know that old Desertpipe out of New Mexico sent you their way, and I bet you get a smile. I was fortunate enough to get to spend some time with Paul in the last decade of his life (he lived to be 100 yrs. old) and that Shop has been on my "visit often" list for the past dozen years.

 

[Jpcouling]

Thank you for that recommendation Desertpipe! I have forgotten there was a real B&M pipe shop not too far away from me.

 

[Jpcouling]

I have some bamboo reed that I am thinking of using for some of the bowls, but nothing beats a nice plastic or wood stem