Hi @Ed's TnT , I've heard of your ascent stems thanks to @CarolKing (who's been doing good PR on the Ascent thread) and I'm pretty interested; I got a few questions though:
- it seems you recommend putting the screen up where it's normally that pyramidal part of the stem that fits, won't it be a problem if not using spacers as the material could get lifted when drawing? any chance you could make a pyramidal part in wood?
- regarding the cleaning: I've searched this thread and it's mentioned on the 2nd page it can be soaked in iso, anyone can give some input after a longer time of use please?
- these 2 stems look very well toured but I was wondering if it'd be possible for you to make the part for the mouth more roundish/oval (even if it sticks out a little bit)
- you've mentioned a contact in Europe, is this a retailer? If so any chance the stems are available? Or do you ship internationally for free as well?
- can you get a glass blower associate and make a micro bubbler (wood/glass) for the Ascent or more custom accessories that'd nicely match my stealth one?
PS: ok I know I lost all credibility with that last question but I'm genuinely interested by these ascent stems!
Good morning, been up a while giving it hell in the shop! Didnt get as much done as I would have liked but hey thats ok, I got tomorrow!
@°k First off thank you for your interest in my work! I just put the screen there in place in the upper rubber grommet area of the device so it would cover the bottom of the wooden stem and also be held in place. Yes during use a little material will be sucked up against the screen, but was not a significant amount. I only noticed this when I was done with the load. I did not notice any restriction to the draw and when I was cashing the load I just turned it upside down, taped out the spent matter and then blew out the little bit against the screen, was no problem at all. I am not sure if I could add the feature you are talking about to the bottom the stem. I would have to give it some thought. I have just now added a small lip to the bottom of the inner stem. Its very small but will help to prevent the inner stem from being lifted into the unit during use. I turn each and every piece as close to the same size as possible. Each piece is damn near exactly the same size give or take a .001". Getting them all the same is tough and tedious. Doing it by hand and eye takes some time. This tiny bit or variance can be the difference in a snug tight fit or maybe a little slip and give when enough suction is applied during use.
The bottom stem is the inner stem, on the left side of it you can see the lip. I planned on making the inner stem where it would slide all the way through the outer stem, this will not be the case.
For cleaning I will be adding a few bristled pipe cleaners that can be used to push through the inner stem. This method is what I use for cleaning the LB stems, you may also dip the pipe cleaner in some alcohol and shake out the excess, then push through the stem, let it dry. You should never ever soak the stems in any liquid! I would just push a pipe cleaner through it from time to time and you should be fine. The outer stem is quite a bit larger, I suggest using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, squeeze out the excess, then swab the inside of the stem and let it dry. A little maintenance here and there goes a long way.
Not sure if you saw it a few pages back but I have made a stem/14mm male adapter that can be used direct draw or with any water pipe with a 14mm female. What do you think?
I do have a dealer in Europe, Vaporisateur.net, they handle alot of Solo stems for me and will be responsible for all my sales of Ascent stems there soon. I know he is excited to make these available! Pls contact them for deetails.
Glass blowers are few and far between in my area, would probably have to go to either end of my state to find one.
Hope I have answered all your questions and thanks again for your interest in my work!
@Quetzalcoatl Thanks for stopping by with your input bro! Pushing a pipe cleaner through the stems works really well for me also.
@BirdFLU Thank you too! The brushes you liked would work well for certain stems and not so for others. You could use a 1/4" brush on the outer Ascent stem and the 1/2" brush with the Solo stem. Doesn't look like they offer a small enough brush for either the LB stem or the inner Ascent stem. I believe the pipe cleaner would work best for these pieces.
@Snappo Very good tip bro! Thanks for posting!
Alright, I think I have the Nano stems all figured out! I am simply installing a small SS pin in the bushing just like I do for the Solo stems. Works really well for them and I have alot of confidence that the Nano stem will perform just as well. I have just gotten a new species to work, Paela from Mexico. Its a dense species not nearly as tough as blackwood or cocobolo, closer to oak. Its a beautiful wood with bright yellows to light orange tones in the heart wood and creamy with sapwood. This is the first piece I have worked in this species. It will be going out Monday to a good friend here at FC for some rigorous testing.
These pieces were my second attempt at an 18mm Solo wong. My first piece did not seat well in the female joint, I believe I didnt have the taper length right. These should be just right. One is a simple short wong and the other is a little bit larger. I have been told that some water pipes have a recessed 18mm female and it makes it risky to operate the pipe with the Solo sitting right on top of the glass. With so much extra wood showing I thought I would add a ring or two.
I guess the picture coulda been a little better.
I hope all is well ya'll! My youngest has a little cold with a mean cough, I gotta get him some meds and get him feeling better. I wish you all a great day!
) and I'm really really tempted!
