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Briar Pipe Workshop

Here's a few shots of my former workshop. I miss it dearly. I have the consolation though, of knowing that the metal lathe at least is in good hands with Stephen Downie in Vancouver. Stephen is a fantastic pipe maker and a man of high intergrity. After having a peak at my briar pipe workshop, you can view freeform briar pipes on the Sculpted Series page, or you can view standard design pipes on the Pipe Archive 2 page, or the Pipe Archive 3 page.

If you would like to see some of what I am now up to, since having to give up Pipe Making, have a look at my art site using the link below. It will open in a separate window.

Artwork

View my Paintings on my Artist Site

In the summer months I can remove the windows to get some air. here is the view from my workbench. It looks out on our garden. Every morning and afternoon my wife and I have our coffee with the birds, and eat some fresh fruit from our trees and berry bushes.

It is an oasis from my work in the shop where I can regroup and rest.

Here is an overall view of the shop. I try to have everything organized so that I can move from one task to another, with proper space and equipment to work effectively.

It's not posh by any means, but it works for me.

Here is the cleanest photo of my metal lathe that you are ever likely to see. This was taken shortly after I purchased it--and it shows. Now-a-days it wears the scars of the work it performs so well.
Here I am getting ready to bore the chamber on a pipe. I use the tailstock center to align it all prior to switching to the boring bit.
In this photo I am using a tapered drill bit to bore out the stem air draft so that it matches the shank bore in diameter and tapers toward the bit.

Here is a shot of a tenon being turned to fit snugly into the shank.

Boring a chamber can be a tedious task. You have to ensure the bit is very sharp and well shaped. You have to watch the heat build-up on the bit so you don't scorch the briar, and of course you have to ensure you know where to stop.