Do you at least have a pipe screen to put over the hole? Unless you pack it ultra tight I just see a lot of bud getting sucked up through the air hole.
It makes perfect sense. Ive honestly never used one without a screen but theoretically it should work man, just dont hit it too hard. Im interested to hear the results.
You could aways put whole buds in the pax oven. A fine grind isn't needed since it's conduction.