Broken tenon

[Nature]

So this happened....
I don't know how.







Is this something I can easily fix? I found an in-expensive vulcanite stem on the web that matches in shape and size. Are the tenons & mortises a standard size? Would I have to have the tenon turned to fit? This pipe is nothing special other than I liked it. It was an inexpensive pipe at my B & M, I think around $30, so I don't want to invest very much money into it. I know, I could probably just go buy another pipe for the price it might cost to have this one repaired. Being the "I can do it" person I am, I try to handle it myself, especially if I think I might save a little money; that's my justification anyway.

[Lostmason]

Does the tenon screw into the shank or stem? Or does it push into one or the other ? If it pushes in try measuring the opening and you should be able to order a new bit. If it screws in I dunno... if it is a push tenon you can remove the old one by carefully screwing a wood screw into it and pulling it out, then you could measure the diameter of the tenon.If you pick up a bit that the tenon is too big, I would use sand paper to reduce it until it fit.If it screws in you might try using a small flat blade screw driver to twist it out,and maybe superglue or gorilla glue to repair...?

[Nature]

Does the tenon screw into the shank or stem? Or does it push into one or the other ? If it pushes in try measuring the opening and you should be able to order a new bit. If it screws in I dunno... if it is a push tenon you can remove the old one by carefully screwing a wood screw into it and pulling it out, then you could measure the diameter of the tenon.If you pick up a bit that the tenon is too big, I would use sand paper to reduce it until it fit.If it screws in you might try using a small flat blade screw driver to twist it out,and maybe superglue or gorilla glue to repair...?

It is just a push in. I am confident I can remove the broken tenon from the mortise with a screw, like you said, or I have a screw extractor tool I can use. I would need to be careful that I don't crack or otherwise break the shank while doing so.
Any recommendations as where to order a replacement bit?

[dj1340]

I have used Boswell's before to fix my pipes. They do a good job and are not all that expensive

[Emperor Zurg]

It is just a push in... Any recommendations as where to order a replacement bit?

Doesn't look like you need a new one. I'd just fix the one you have with a delrin insert.

[Lostmason]

It is just a push in. I am confident I can remove the broken tenon from the mortise with a screw, like you said, or I have a screw extractor tool I can use. I would need to be careful that I don't crack or otherwise break the shank while doing so.
Any recommendations as where to order a replacement bit?

I would try the foreverstems they have several that would compliment that bowl nicely. That is if you find one that fits or is just a hair oversize and you can sand it down.

- - - Updated - - -

Doesn't look like you need a new one. I'd just fix the one you have with a delrin insert.

Where can I find the delrin insert?

edit: Googeled it,looks like one could pick up a small brass insert from lowes or home depot

[Emperor Zurg]

I have delrin rod here all the time. I could send you a couple inches for the postage if you have a way to machine it.

[Nature]

I have delrin rod here all the time. I could send you a couple inches for the postage if you have a way to machine it.

I do not have use of a drill press or lathe to turn it. I could chuck it in a drill clamped in a vise and use a sharp chisel or file / sandpaper to get it to proper diameter.
Or, if the rod is only slightly larger diameter than the existing tenon, I could bore out the shank mortise and the current bit to fit. Then after cutting to length, glue the bored insert bridge into the stem?

[Emperor Zurg]

If it were me fixing it, I'd drill/tap the stem and thread the end of the rod, then thread the delrin into the stem with some glue on the threads. That would make sure the insert never pulled out of the stem. Of course the big trick is getting it to line up perfectly since pipe mortise/tennons are seldom perfectly on center. With a threaded union you'd probably only need 1/4 to 3/8" engagement

[NeverBend]

So this happened....
I don't know how.



Is this something I can easily fix? I found an in-expensive vulcanite stem on the web that matches in shape and size. Are the tenons & mortises a standard size? Would I have to have the tenon turned to fit? This pipe is nothing special other than I liked it. It was an inexpensive pipe at my B & M, I think around $30, so I don't want to invest very much money into it. I know, I could probably just go buy another pipe for the price it might cost to have this one repaired. Being the "I can do it" person I am, I try to handle it myself, especially if I think I might save a little money; that's my justification anyway.

Hi Mark,

Bill (@Emperorzurg) and Matt (@Lostmason) both offer good ways to try and save the pipe. Personally, I never mess with tenons but obviously people do repair them.

Getting the tenon to fit AND stay snug but not tight when it's heated (repeatedly) is the trick. The briar and vulcanite of the stem expand and contract a little differently when heated.

I've seen Bills handiwork and he's certainly far beyond my skill level. Making a screw-in tenon replacement is a good way to go if you have the skill and if you don't get it the first time you can, inexpensively, do it again. As Bill mentions, getting the tenon to ride flush at the join is difficult but if you get the tenon to fit correctly you'll have made the pipe functional again.

Matt's mentioned buying a stem blank that's as large or (slightly) larger than the current one and that's important because you can't shim it if it's too small. Sand evenly and with a very fine grit (at least until you're used to working it). I imagine that the mortise bore is a standard size that and that may mean that you can find a size that needs only to have the flashing removed and polishing it.

Good Luck,

Regards,

Pete