Re: On the Bench

**NoseWarmer** on Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:10 am

raftergtex wrote:Well, I got busy yesterday and this one is close to finished. So close in fact that I guess I should save the next update for the "new ones" thread. I really like the way it turned out. May be the most comfortable one yet, and it sits easy. Now to pick from the great suggestions on the "design" thread ...

I can't wait to see it... So do you have a lay-a-way plan?

**raftergtex** on Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:11 am

Anything for you, Phil, but you haven't even smoked the last one .... Very Happy

And your wife probably has my name and address written down somewhere as a bad influence ....

**NoseWarmer** on Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:43 am

raftergtex wrote:Anything for you, Phil, but you haven't even smoked the last one .... And your wife probably has my name and address written down somewhere as a bad influence ....

Just for you, I'll strike that bad boy up today... Maybe a little "Frog Morton on the Town" or C&D Autum Evening or... or...

Nope... I burn all the address lables... No traces...

Anymore I just put the pipes together and she never knows a thing... Or she acts like she doesn't...

**raftergtex** on Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:34 am

Well, I have been a little slow in starting the next one, and it is not much to look at yet, but you can kind of see where I am going. Drilling completed on the stummel, and shaping underway but still rough:

JC on Wed Oct 06, 2010 11:40 am

Tim... For what it's worth I love this thread. It is interesting but also fun to follow the progression of your projects. I look forward to seeing you carve one that will be going home with me.

I think posting pictures such as these on your own website would be a good marketing tool, they along with a picture or two of you working at the lathe and or work bench would help give people that visit your website develop an emotional bond with you and your pipes. I think that bond is part of what makes hand crafted pipes along with their quality and individuality so popular today.

Anyway that’s just a thought from an old sales & marketing guy that just happens to be a friend and fan of your work.

**raftergtex** on Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:26 pm

Great idea. Maybe an "on the bench" page. The only problem I see is that it still happens that I have to give up on one from time to time for various reasons, but I guess that is part of the process and shows quality control.

**raftergtex** on Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:14 am

Trying something new for a shank extension, horn. It was thrown in as a freebie by a guy in China that I get my bamboo from, so I have no idea what kind of animal. A Chinese bull of some kind, I guess. I discovered two things -- (1) you can't cut it with a bandsaw unless you want to lose a finger; and (2) it stinks when being sanded. Should polish up real nice, though.

**NoseWarmer** on Thu Oct 07, 2010 9:23 am

raftergtex wrote: (2) it stinks when being sanded.

Should look very nice... and now you know the pain I went through for the tampers...

dudleydipstick on Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:40 am

That's a great idea from JC about marketing and forming a mental connection to the craftsman.

When I was a kid, my dad did industrial roofing. He took pride in taking care of his boots and always went to a cobbler he knew for his heel taps and repairs. When you went to see Mr. Vaughn, you went right into his home workshop, met his dog, and all that. Strip mall shoe repair places can't inspire a sense of loyalty from the customer anywhere near the experience of something like that.

**Pstlpkr** on Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:08 pm

Hey Tim,

Here's a shape to think about.
I think this one is classy.
Il Creppo: half bent straight grain calabash
Retails for $325 @ Skip's.
The Il is spelled "eye" "ell" It's a little tough to read in this font. Pronounced "ill" as is up-chuck.

RJ on Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:41 am

JC wrote:Tim... For what it's worth I love this thread. It is interesting but also fun to follow the progression of your projects. I look forward to seeing you carve one that will be going home with me.

I think posting pictures such as these on your own website would be a good marketing tool, they along with a picture or two of you working at the lathe and or work bench would help give people that visit your website develop an emotional bond with you and your pipes. I think that bond is part of what makes hand crafted pipes along with their quality and individuality so popular today.

Anyway that’s just a thought from an old sales & marketing guy that just happens to be a friend and fan of your work.

Have you seen the photo essay JC.

Damned nice pipe...and I oughta know.

Tim: I see Jean over on PipeChat uses a good bit of Warthog ivory. I'd think getting some wild boar tusks around here should be doable. i see lot's of advertised hog hunts and stuff on craigslist.

Might be cool to play around with.

**raftergtex** on Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:59 am

Love that pipe, Lawrence. Skip is pretty cool too. I assume its the same guy who posted a very favorable comment on my canadian over at pipemakersforum. RJ there are wild hogs out in the woods behind my barn. Its easier to trap them than shoot them. They love diesel-soaked corn for some reason. Wonder how many pipemakers harvest their own shank extensions? The Chinese stuff is prettier though ...

**NoseWarmer** on Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:04 am

raftergtex wrote:RJ there are wild hogs out in the woods behind my barn. Its easier to trap them than shoot them. They love diesel-soaked corn for some reason.

When's the hunt?

**raftergtex** on Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:08 am

I think I'll use the Chinese stuff first, although there are some guys from town that put a trap on my property every now and then. From now on I will demand the tusks as a fee. Smile

Looking more like a pipe. This one will have a fairly small bowl, about 3/4 x 1.3. Is that too small for most of you?

**NoseWarmer** on Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:28 am

raftergtex wrote:
Looking more like a pipe. This one will have a fairly small bowl, about 3/4 x 1.3. Is that too small for most of you?

Nope, I like small bowls for some blends... My first Grabow was a small bowl... Smoked great and still smokes great... About a 30 minute smoke...