How to Select Wood for Pipe Making

Select the wood for your pipe with careful consideration.

Selecting the right wood when making a pipe is fundamental to the smoking experience. The wood used to craft the pipe is also the primary factor in the look of the finished pipe. Whether you select a traditional and historically proven wood or try something rare and exotic, follow basic guidelines to ensure a quality finished product. With these guidelines in place, your pipe will be durable and aesthetically pleasing for many years.

Things You'll Need

• Hard, dense wood
• Moisture meter
• Thin cyanoacrylate glue
• Epoxy
• Popsicle stick

Instructions

1. 

   Briarwood is a burl pulled from the earth.

   Select a wood that is dense and hard. Choose briarwood or cherry for a traditional look. According to the Heroes and Legacies' website, cherry was most commonly used until the 1850s when briarwood was discovered. Briarwood is dense and hard and will not burn when used for smoking, ensuring that only the tobacco is tasted. Other hard and dense woods that will provide a less traditional look include exotic types like walnut, bocote and Ziricote.

2. 

   Test the moisture content.

   Select properly seasoned wood that has the correct amount of moisture content. Test the moisture content with a moisture meter (found at most hardwood or home improvement stores). Insert the tip of the meter into the wood and wait for the readout. The wood should have the same moisture content as the climate it is in.

3. 

   Use thin cyanoacrylate glue on knots.

   Choose a piece of wood, striving to find one that has few or no knots or beetle holes. Fortify any knots with thin cyanoacrylate glue by applying liberally and allowing the glue to soak in and harden for at least one hour. Fill any holes or gaps in the wood with a thick epoxy, spreading it into the crevices with a popsicle stick. Epoxies have different hardening times, so check the label.

Tips & Warnings

• Cyanoacrylate glue is also commonly known as "Super Glue." One-hour epoxy cures harden more durably than shorter five-minute or 30-minute varieties.

• Wear gloves and eye protection when working with epoxy or cyanoacrylate glue. Do not allow cyanoacrylate glue to touch your skin because it bonds instantly.

References

• Heroes and Legacies: Selecting a Pipe