How to Make a Wooden Pipe for Smoking Tobacco

Custom pipe by Mark Tinsky

With nothing more than a pipe kit, handheld Dremel tool, some sandpaper and carnauba wax, you can build your own wooden tobacco pipe. It only takes an afternoon!

Things You'll Need

• Dremel tool
• Briar wood pipe kit ($25-$50)
• Sandpaper (320, 500 and 800 grit)
• Carnauba wax
• Some patience!

Instructions

1. 

   Invest in a briar pipe kit, which are available in several shapes and styles from many tobacco pipe dealers and pipe makers, such as American Smoking Pipe Company. The kits come with all the holes pre-drilled and a perfect-fitting pipe stem. All that's left is to shape the pipe.

2. 

   Trace the pattern of the pipe you want on the side of the briar block. It will give you a better idea of what you need to carve away. If you have access to a band saw, you can cut out your pattern and save a lot of time carving with your Dremel tool.

3. 

   Once you have a good idea of your pipe shape, you can slowly start sanding away unwanted briar with your Dremel tool, using the tool's various sanding discs and stones. Take your time!

4. 

   Pay attention to the evenness and thickness of your pipe walls (also known as the body of the pipe). Walls too thin will allow the burning tobacco to burn through or crack your pipe. In general, thicker walls are better. As you smoke your pipe, a "cake" will begin to form. Don't let it get too thick, it will also cause your pipe to crack. Scrape away the "cake" until it's only the thickness of a dime.

5. Continue shaping your pipe with the Dremel tool until you have it about 80 percent shaped. The last 20 percent of the work will be done the old-fashioned way - with sheets of sandpaper! Start with a coarse 320-grit sheet of sandpaper and continue shaping your pipe.

6. When you're about 90 percent done, move to the 500-grit sandpaper and continue fine tuning. Save the last 5 percent of work for the very fine 800-grit sandpaper, which will give your pipe a smooth, silky look.

7. At this point, you can stain your pipe with an alcohol-based stain. However, briar is a beautiful wood on its own, and it is certainly fine to let the pipe retain its natural look.

8. The last step is to apply a thin coat of carnauba wax (often available from auto supply stores, but make sure it doesn't have any special additives). Using your Dremel tool at its lowest speed, apply some carnauba wax to a polishing wheel and then polish your pipe. Be very careful with this step and be thorough. You can polish your pipe stem, but do not polish inside your pipe bowl.

9. 

   Now find some tasty tobacco and go smoke your pipe!

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient! Your pipe will last forever, so take your time making it.

• Always wear eye protection when using any power tool.

• Again, do not make the walls of your pipe too thin or the tobacco will burn right through your pipe!

Resources

• American Smoking Pipe Company
• Pipes.org (Pipe Forum)
• Tobacco Reviews