Pipe smoking goes back to ancient times, but the first documented
evidence for it was during the Dark Ages when the Irish people invented
the "dudeen," which is a short clay pipe. Smoking a pipe has the
lowest risk of health problems out of all forms of tobacco products
(although we do not encourage anyone to start smoking). Perhaps
you would like to make your own old-fashioned tobacco pipe. This
article explains how you can.
First, you will need a seasoned limb from a cherry tree, the diameter
of which should be the size of your pipe bowl. Cherry is the best
type of wood to use for a pipe, but hard maple or plum will also
work. Make sure that whatever type of wood you choose has been seasoned
for at least two or three months.
Cut a section from a cherry tree limb that is about six inches
long. Mark it to the length of the pipe bowl you want plus 1/2 inch
to allow for the pipe stem. To mark it with the bark on, simply
cut two lines about 1/8 of an inch apart around the entire circumference
of the limb and then remove that small strip of bark. Do not saw
the bowl from this piece yet, you will need to clamp it so you can
drill out the center of the bowl first.
Begin the hole for the bowl with the tip of an ice pick or a knife,
being careful to keep it centered. Then select a small diameter
bit to drill a pilot hole with. Wrap a small piece of tape around
the bit for a depth gauge after measuring against the side how deep
you want your bowl to be. Remember not to drill into the 1/2 inch
pipe stem portion at the bottom.
Now clamp the section below the bowl into a vice, or use a C-clamp
to fasten it to a solid object. Drill the hole as straight as possible,
stopping at the tape on the bit. Then use progressively larger bits
that are taped at the right depth to enlarge the hole to your satisfaction.
Next, you will need to drill the hole for the pipe stem. After
the bowl has been drilled, measure the depth on the outside at the
spot where you want the stem. Mark it about 1/4 inch higher than
the bottom of the bowl. Start the hole there with an ice pick or
the tip of a knife. Then select a small pilot bit. Clamp the section
below the bowl and drill it at a 90 degree angle, being careful
to stop at the depth of the bowl side. Now enlarge the hole to 5/16
or 3/8 of an inch.
The next step is to saw the bowl carefully out of the section
of wood, making sure to leave enough wood below the stem hole for
strength. Simply shape it to the type of bowl you would like.
To make a pipe stem, you can use a section of elderberry branch.
Since elderberry has a pith that can be easily removed with a wire,
it is perfect for a pipe stem. Just choose a branch of the proper
length and diameter. Catalpa and Ash are also woods that have a
pith and will make good pipe stems.
Simply insert the pipe stem into the stem hole and your old-fashioned
tobacco pipe is ready to go. To add to the smoking experience, you
can put on your favorite smoking jacket and slippers and relax with
a good book or maybe even contemplate a difficult physics problem.
- By Jason Earls
Check out our growing tobacco page
This is not the poisonous Sumac, but the Sumac trees you see with the red cluster of berrys hanging from it.
The native americans used those berries to produce a drink - similar to lemonaide.
please reply to- stormrecon3@tds.net
Thanks Dave
Thank you
find yourself a branch with a fork in it. the branch must be a larger than the bowl to be and the fork of of that should be about 3/8th to 1/2 inch in diameter.
once a section of brach has grown over an inch the pith becomes hard, so dont worry about a pith hole in the bottom of your bowl. the forked stem piece should still be small enough to have a good pith.
cut the stem of about a 1/2 longer than you would like untill the bark is off and the final shape of the pipe is finished just bore out your bowl and use a wire either hot or could, or even in a drill to remove the pith from the stem. use rasp and rattail fiels to rough in the shape and then finish with sandpaper and your coice of finish.
i made a 11" long churchwarden this way, by steaming the stem to shape.
This is good ^_^ Me and my friends are going to try this, we made a copper smoking pipe today, but a good old fashioned wood one is brilliant!
I have heard that elder is no good for pipe stems - apparently it's poisonous, see http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Sambuca.htm
I use ash, it's also a lot stronger than elder. The pith is harder to remove though - I burn it out (slowly) with a wire heated up in a blow torch.
Green semi-ripe stems seem to give the best smoke. The hot wire helps to dry them out.