almost there

Well-Known Member
So, question for everyone...

"What's the most UNUSUAL or the COOLEST (functional) material you've seen a custom stem for a DV tip, made from?" (Pics or Video, please or it didn't happen! :rofl:)

At this point, I Envision @stark1 popping a tip in the top of a Jack O'Lantern. Cool ass idea for a Halloween picture this year, but doesn't qualify for this question.
:rofl:

*ITEMS OF FOOD/FRUIT DON'T COUNT*

I have a sneaking suspicion, that in the end, @phattpiggie is going to probably have the example and pic of our winner. :lol: :tup: :nod:

I refer those of you, who have followed the thread for a while to the video he posted a little while back showing 3 years of stem making work. The variety was mind-boggling to me. Tough act to follow. :cool: :nod:

Happy Vaping! :leaf: :smug:
@phattpiggie made one out of horn and it is breathtaking, if you ask @Squiby real nicely maybe she’ll let you have a peek

@RogueGuy you are absolutely right but I have a weakness for pretty things :brow:
 
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Squiby

Well-Known Member
@phattpiggie made one out of horn and it is breathtaking, if you ask @Squiby real nicely maybe she’ll let you have a peek

@phattpiggie is the master indeed! He made an absolutely stunning lidded Horn stem that according to him would not be repeated. I think turning it near stink him out of the woodshed of something like that. I cherish it. It's made from a Waterbuffalo horn.

Here's the link to it. Sorry that the pics are broken but if you follow the link and then hit reply the pics will appear.

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/phattpiggies-wood-shed.22215/page-42#post-1245738

@phattpiggie also made a stem with and egg that I think may be the ultimate unusual stem. It is the epitome of cool and it's beautiful as well. PP, do you still have that stem? I looked around on your thread but couldn't find it.
 

thejackalsmark

Just another "Person Of Interest"
@phattpiggie made one out of horn and it is breathtaking, if you ask @Squiby real nicely maybe she’ll let you have a peek

@RogueGuy you are absolutely right but I have a weakness for pretty things :uhoh:

@Squiby has an AWESOME collection! I already figured HER a heavy contender for most unique. :tup: :nod:

THIS one, in particular, was really impressive to me!
2019-07-02-01-36-01.jpg

I think this was a custom by George, is that right @Squiby?

I wish he'd made more of these.
The visual impression is just BADASS!



Here ya go, @Squiby VERY nice!
I love that freakin CAP! Simply Beautiful!
Qoe8kHt.jpg

CVD0GIa.jpg

@phattpiggie No words are adequate... It's Museum Exhibit Quality, fine art that happens to be able to accomodate a DV tip and used to vape. :clap: :nod: :rockon:

Found it lol

@GoldenBud I like you. :tup::rofl:

Happy Vaping! :mmmm::bigleaf:
 
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danielj

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
While nice to look at, I value my lungs/health more than aesthetics.

So. does anyone know if naked bamboo is stable. I need to find a comparable length
Of glass to use as a liner (condenser).

A poor boy’s home made bamboo stem. Got the idea from someone here way
Back when. I think it may have been @Winegums. :cool:



porsche panamera turbo 0 60


@stark1

bamboo Used it often when I was a flutemaker
very strong at right angles to its length, splits very easily lengthwise

fluemakers say bamboo will crack; not if, but when.
bamboo dust is irratating
the smoke from burning bamboo is toxic

I rejected it as unsuitable for stem material
sorry bro
 

stark1

Lonesome Planet
One. Ahh, well. I was going to put a liner in. Thanks for the knowledge.

What about glass? Is it “stab”? J/K. ;)







Two. Guess I’ll have to dig up my “stab” glass straws.....

“Et Tu, Brutus?” Is it the Ides of September, already....

Need to head to the Cape, Need to breathe in Nauset Point. Ahh, the sharks, the sharks.

Fake global warming.

Goes back to dreamland.
 
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danielj

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
I understood that bamboo is a bit stronger if you leave the nodes on either end of your cuts, gives it more strength/ability to resist the eventual splitting.
yes snd no

cracks gen. start between nodes, becuz the bamboo is thinner there...but once the crack spreads to a node, it will eventually crack the node. Bamboo cracks from the outside in, so the added thickness at the node is what slows it down - not the node itself. I have a 15 yr oldwslkingstick - cracks from one end to the other, right thru the nodes...and thats with leaving the interior of the node intact i.e. not punching a hole thru the interior node wall. Bamboo can be strengthened sonewhat by proper curing and smoking. Much of the best flute bamboo from Japan has been cured for decades and smoked. It often will arrive with a strong fish smell, as they smoke the bamboo in the same smokehouses that they smoke fish in. I used to have a dedicated smoker for bamboo, but never prepared food in it.

I love the boo: a beautiful and strange grass. Wish it was more suitable for VC stems - Id be all over that! There are tobacco pipemakers who will use bamboo for the stems, but never down at the heated end and never for bowls.
 

danielj

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
Bamboo is strange and we have to smoke it, next thing bamboo will be an illegal substance here. :worms:
Ha I knew someone would make the joke about smoking bamboo grass!

You were the quickest...your reward. a bit more of boo grass trivia

While not illegal, some regions guard their boo species and have very limited and strict export.

Some species grow so fast, you can literally sit there and "watch the grass grow" The fastest species shoots out of the ground at a blazing 36" a day. It does this by having all the nodes grown and compacted together undergroung in the spring like root ball... and then it just telescoping up out of the dirt. I dont remember how tall the species gets, but I believe it goes full tilt until it reachs its height.

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT FOR THE DAY


Imaginine yourself sitting outside, doing vapcaps, just spending the afternoon just chilling

and not know one of these plants was in the ground next to you, ready to pop

watching this thing pop up out of the ground might just lead you to never vaping that particular strain again!......or perhaps just the opposite!
 

Jill NYC

Portable Hoarder
Ha I knew someone would make the joke about smoking bamboo grass!

You were the quickest...your reward. a bit more of boo grass trivia

While not illegal, some regions guard their boo species and have very limited and strict export.

Some species grow so fast, you can literally sit there and "watch the grass grow" The fastest species shoots out of the ground at a blazing 36" a day. It does this by having all the nodes grown and compacted together undergroung in the spring like root ball... and then it just telescoping up out of the dirt. I dont remember how tall the species gets, but I believe it goes full tilt until it reachs its height.

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT FOR THE DAY


Imaginine yourself sitting outside, doing vapcaps, just spending the afternoon just chilling

and not know one of these plants was in the ground next to you, ready to pop

watching this thing pop up out of the ground might just lead you to never vaping that particular strain again!......or perhaps just the opposite!
I would pay good money to vape and watch the ‘boo grow.
 

TheThriftDrifter

Land of the long vapor cloud
Ha I knew someone would make the joke about smoking bamboo grass!

You were the quickest...your reward. a bit more of boo grass trivia

While not illegal, some regions guard their boo species and have very limited and strict export.

Some species grow so fast, you can literally sit there and "watch the grass grow" The fastest species shoots out of the ground at a blazing 36" a day. It does this by having all the nodes grown and compacted together undergroung in the spring like root ball... and then it just telescoping up out of the dirt. I dont remember how tall the species gets, but I believe it goes full tilt until it reachs its height.

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT FOR THE DAY


Imaginine yourself sitting outside, doing vapcaps, just spending the afternoon just chilling

and not know one of these plants was in the ground next to you, ready to pop

watching this thing pop up out of the ground might just lead you to never vaping that particular strain again!......or perhaps just the opposite!

Loving the bamboo trivia! Smoked fish flavor flutes :drool:

I buzz out hard at the bamboo scaffolding they use around buildings in Asia.

I wonder if there is any type of binding or reinforcing to stop the bamboo splitting that would make it last longer for a vapcap stem?

:love:Bamboo.:love:
 

Winegums

I make things from wood
Accessory Maker
While nice to look at, I value my lungs/health more than aesthetics.

So. does anyone know if naked bamboo is stable. I need to find a comparable length
Of glass to use as a liner (condenser).

A poor boy’s home made bamboo stem. Got the idea from someone here way
Back when. I think it may have been @Winegums. :cool:



porsche panamera turbo 0 60
Bamboo is not stable and highly prone to cracking if it's not dried properly. I found that I had to bind my bamboo stems with thread at the ends to keep them from breaking but it added a nice place to grip near the hot end anyways. Drying the bamboo as whole pole will greatly reduce the tendency to crack but make sure you harvest about 4-5 poles that are close to the right size in case of a mistake or unexpected breakage.

Lining the bamboo with glass should be fine as long as the glass is not tightly fit in the bamboo and the bamboo is at its driest when the glass is fit to it. Bamboo experiences extreme shrinkage over time since it is mostly air and cells full of water. If it is not completely dry it will compress around the glass and eventually crack the bamboo.

I consider them temporary and disposable due to the unlimited supply of bamboo I have in my back yard. A few seconds with a drill bit and a min or two with some thread and I have a brand new stem to use.

They get smelly with reclaim after a bit so they typically get put in the compost to begin the cycle all over again.
 

danielj

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
IMG-7582.jpg
Loving the bamboo trivia! Smoked fish flavor flutes :drool:

I buzz out hard at the bamboo scaffolding they use around buildings in Asia.

I wonder if there is any type of binding or reinforcing to stop the bamboo splitting that would make it last longer for a vapcap stem?

:love:Bamboo.:love:
oh yes, binding is what fixs and hold together bamboo once it cracks. trad. stuff is reed strips, silk thread, sinew. Modern adds artifical sinew, waxed linen, cord, wire. most wait for a crack to appear before binding, some try to guess the future and bind ahead of time. Works sometimes, but sometime just moves the stress to another area. I prebound additionally to control or modify how the bamboo vibrated. heres a couple of picd

I have tried scalling binding down to the vapcap size. the fatter, easier materials are just to big to look good on a stem. Need Thin thin thread, dental flouse, microstrand fishing line etc. Since you will be tying down at the heated end, material must resist to temps. Also consider that the inside bore is not going to be round concentric. Condenser fittage will be challenging.

Finally , all this doesnt address the problem of some "over medicated" user burning the end of the stem, and getting toxins. Ill pass...and its not fun considering how much I like the boo
 

stark1

Lonesome Planet
Good to see @Winegums back in the forum!

As a wanna be panda, bamboo shoots are good eating.

They have also developed bamboo bicycles in use today.

A versatile resource. Renewable. Cost effective.

Makes an interesting stem.:tup:


PS seems Dan Morrison uses bamboo charcoal as a heat source for his Okin.
Any thoughts?
 
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phattpiggie

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Awkward one for me to answer questions without coming over as slating other peoples work so I'll give my opinion and as is the norm YMMV.

For a long time now anything I make has a Ti hot end and a 316SS condenser, not just a metal tube glued into a blank or a blank with a hole drilled thru it.
The majority of the stems I make are custom orders and if I'm not happy with a certain design I will pass on my concerns. As the designer and manufacturer I'm the person responsible for the safety of my customers.
As @danielj says certain wood species need to be considered too.

@cybrguy stabilised wood is something I've turned and I don't particularly like it.
It isn't the nicest things to turn and it smells, not as much as horn.
The smell lingers in the stem for some time unlike horn which just stinks when you work it.
Not saying I won't turn it, just prefer not to.

@almost there your best bet is to repeatedly wax the stems you have and it should mask the stabiliser smell.

Stab wood isn't wood after the process of soaking and baking and it's properties change. The strength changes and IMO for the worse. It seems to lose the characteristics of wood and has none of the predictability wood has, bits chip out and it splits in odd places.

Since I started this I've read a lot of info on wood safety and plenty of MSDS.

The MSDS for one of the stabilisers I read stated that it causes contact dermatitis, something I've suffered from due to a machine cleaner and I was in full protective gear.

The MSDS also stated that this resin was partially soluble in water. Now for pen turners this isn't a worry but we are talking about a totally different situation.
For this reason I will not make any piece with a stab MP, if the resin becomes soluble in water you can bet the same thing will happen with spit.
CD was horrible enough on my hands, arms and legs I hate to think what it would be like on delicate lip skin.

Acrylics and polyesters I use as my build design eliminates any hot vapor coming into contact with them.
This used to be my daily and I was the PhattGuineaPiggie for this design.
It's all acrylic with a Ti insert and SS condenser.
The acrylic smelt a little the first couple of times I used it but quickly subsided. The vapor at the MP was and is well below any worrying temps and not once did it impart a taste to the contents of the VC.
Screenshot-20190922-135002.jpg


@thejackalsmark and @danielj the MJ world has always attracted some of the worst people in society and it will continue to do so legal or otherwise. They just come in different guises these days.
Some people are genuinely unaware about material safety, others just don't care and can see a bandwagon to jump on, a way to market themselves and make a bit of money.

I've had folk ask if I can reduce the shipping costs, ain't gonna happen.
Everything I send goes out with a 'legit' tracking number.
Most packages are tracked and signed, covers mine and the customers ass this way.


thejackalsmark I'm glad you mentioned unusual stem materials as it sent me off on a quick search for
something I've wanted to use for ages, thankfully it was successful and the order will be getting placed soon.

@Squiby the egg stems were for shits and giggles and very delicate. I used the same egg and eventually it got dropped. I need to find a decent way of strengthening them before I do any more.

Screenshot-20190922-134904.jpg

Screenshot-20190922-134942.jpg

Screenshot-20190922-135203.jpg


Also did this one and have shells to do more.
IMG-20190922-134554.jpg


Can't beat a VC for efficiency, four tiny pieces of different extracts in a rayon ball.

Edit.
Again with a full SS condenser.
IMG-20190620-172424-831.jpg
 
Last edited:

ubardog

Well-Known Member
Awkward one for me to answer questions without coming over as slating other peoples work so I'll give my opinion and as is the norm YMMV.

For a long time now anything I make has a Ti hot end and a 316SS condenser, not just a metal tube glued into a blank or a blank with a hole drilled thru it.
The majority of the stems I make are custom orders and if I'm not happy with a certain design I will pass on my concerns. As the designer and manufacturer I'm the person responsible for the safety of my customers.
As @danielj says certain wood species need to be considered too.

@cybrguy stabilised wood is something I've turned and I don't particularly like it.
It isn't the nicest things to turn and it smells, not as much as horn.
The smell lingers in the stem for some time unlike horn which just stinks when you work it.
Not saying I won't turn it, just prefer not to.

@almost there your best bet is to repeatedly wax the stems you have and it should mask the stabiliser smell.

Stab wood isn't wood after the process of soaking and baking and it's properties change. The strength changes and IMO for the worse. It seems to lose the characteristics of wood and has none of the predictability wood has, bits chip out and it splits in odd places.

Since I started this I've read a lot of info on wood safety and plenty of MSDS.

The MSDS for one of the stabilisers I read stated that it causes contact dermatitis, something I've suffered from due to a machine cleaner and I was in full protective gear.

The MSDS also stated that this resin was partially soluble in water. Now for pen turners this isn't a worry but we are talking about a totally different situation.
For this reason I will not make any piece with a stab MP, if the resin becomes soluble in water you can bet the same thing will happen with spit.
CD was horrible enough on my hands, arms and legs I hate to think what it would be like on delicate lip skin.

Acrylics and polyesters I use as my build design eliminates any hot vapor coming into contact with them.
This used to be my daily and I was the PhattGuineaPiggie for this design.
It's all acrylic with a Ti insert and SS condenser.
The acrylic smelt a little the first couple of times I used it but quickly subsided. The vapor at the MP was and is well below any worrying temps and not once did it impart a taste to the contents of the VC.
Screenshot-20190922-135002.jpg


@thejackalsmark and @danielj the MJ world has always attracted some of the worst people in society and it will continue to do so legal or otherwise. They just come in different guises these days.
Some people are genuinely unaware about material safety, others just don't care and can see a bandwagon to jump on, a way to market themselves and make a bit of money.

I've had folk ask if I can reduce the shipping costs, ain't gonna happen.
Everything I send goes out with a 'legit' tracking number.
Most packages are tracked and signed, covers mine and the customers ass this way.


thejackalsmark I'm glad you mentioned unusual stem materials as it sent me off on a quick search for
something I've wanted to use for ages, thankfully it was successful and the order will be getting placed soon.

@Squiby the egg stems were for shits and giggles and very delicate. I used the same egg and eventually it got dropped. I need to find a decent way of strengthening them before I do any more.

Screenshot-20190922-134904.jpg

Screenshot-20190922-134942.jpg

Screenshot-20190922-135203.jpg


Also did this one and have shells to do more.
IMG-20190922-134554.jpg


Can't beat a VC for efficiency, four tiny pieces of different extracts in a rayon ball.

Edit.
Again with a full SS condenser.
IMG-20190620-172424-831.jpg

Heyoo Mr piggy

Bloody smashing work there! .... but you don't need me to tell you that :bowdown:

I have made a couple of steams my self and have always lined them Ti or glass. The fact that some people don't manks me out a little .

What I really wanna know is a bit more about is Rayon. I have googled it every time you mention it. I still use cotton and would like to try rayon where abouce do you get yours from. I'm Uk too. Tell us more let us know :D

Also I would love take a stem making class from ya. Would be hell of a day :D

Take care Ubar
 

Xclerk

The Universe is our endless supply
Awkward one for me to answer questions without coming over as slating other peoples work so I'll give my opinion and as is the norm YMMV.

For a long time now anything I make has a Ti hot end and a 316SS condenser, not just a metal tube glued into a blank or a blank with a hole drilled thru it.
The majority of the stems I make are custom orders and if I'm not happy with a certain design I will pass on my concerns. As the designer and manufacturer I'm the person responsible for the safety of my customers.
As @danielj says certain wood species need to be considered too.

@cybrguy stabilised wood is something I've turned and I don't particularly like it.
It isn't the nicest things to turn and it smells, not as much as horn.
The smell lingers in the stem for some time unlike horn which just stinks when you work it.
Not saying I won't turn it, just prefer not to.

@almost there your best bet is to repeatedly wax the stems you have and it should mask the stabiliser smell.

Stab wood isn't wood after the process of soaking and baking and it's properties change. The strength changes and IMO for the worse. It seems to lose the characteristics of wood and has none of the predictability wood has, bits chip out and it splits in odd places.

Since I started this I've read a lot of info on wood safety and plenty of MSDS.

The MSDS for one of the stabilisers I read stated that it causes contact dermatitis, something I've suffered from due to a machine cleaner and I was in full protective gear.

The MSDS also stated that this resin was partially soluble in water. Now for pen turners this isn't a worry but we are talking about a totally different situation.
For this reason I will not make any piece with a stab MP, if the resin becomes soluble in water you can bet the same thing will happen with spit.
CD was horrible enough on my hands, arms and legs I hate to think what it would be like on delicate lip skin.

Acrylics and polyesters I use as my build design eliminates any hot vapor coming into contact with them.
This used to be my daily and I was the PhattGuineaPiggie for this design.
It's all acrylic with a Ti insert and SS condenser.
The acrylic smelt a little the first couple of times I used it but quickly subsided. The vapor at the MP was and is well below any worrying temps and not once did it impart a taste to the contents of the VC.
Screenshot-20190922-135002.jpg


@thejackalsmark and @danielj the MJ world has always attracted some of the worst people in society and it will continue to do so legal or otherwise. They just come in different guises these days.
Some people are genuinely unaware about material safety, others just don't care and can see a bandwagon to jump on, a way to market themselves and make a bit of money.

I've had folk ask if I can reduce the shipping costs, ain't gonna happen.
Everything I send goes out with a 'legit' tracking number.
Most packages are tracked and signed, covers mine and the customers ass this way.


thejackalsmark I'm glad you mentioned unusual stem materials as it sent me off on a quick search for
something I've wanted to use for ages, thankfully it was successful and the order will be getting placed soon.

@Squiby the egg stems were for shits and giggles and very delicate. I used the same egg and eventually it got dropped. I need to find a decent way of strengthening them before I do any more.

Screenshot-20190922-134904.jpg

Screenshot-20190922-134942.jpg

Screenshot-20190922-135203.jpg


Also did this one and have shells to do more.
IMG-20190922-134554.jpg


Can't beat a VC for efficiency, four tiny pieces of different extracts in a rayon ball.

Edit.
Again with a full SS condenser.
IMG-20190620-172424-831.jpg
I had totally thought when I say this shell that it was carved to look like a shell. Very cool. She'll stems. Love the ideas people here come up w. It would be pretty cool to do some diffrent egg variations. Maybe injected w some sort of plastic or heat safe silicone.
 
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