[wharfrathoss]

honestly, it'd be a lot easier to have a pipe repairman make a new stem for ya-if ya want to do it yourself, here's a few ideas:

if you can chuck the replacement bit in a drill w/the tenon pointing out, it will make it easier to sand the tenon down evenly-i wouldn't use any less than 400 grit paper, checking little by little

when you bend the stem, put a pipe cleaner in it to keep the airhole from collapsing

to remove oxidation, i wet sand w/600 grit paper, then move to 1000 then 2000 grit, changing the water in between grits-you can get a spiral sewn cotton wheel, drill mandrel & plastic polishing compound at Home Depot for less than $10-charge the wheel w/compound then buff the stem to a shine-then i rub it lightly w/olive oil, leave it to sit overnite, then rub it off-for all the materials you're looking about $20, which you could have a new stem made for-the upside is that you'll be able to refurb estate pipes & keep the stems shiny

be careful if you try any drilling on the stem or shank-i twist the bit by hand, going step by step till it's where i want it (5/32" usually)-i work the interior of the button w/needle files ($6/set @ HD), then charge a fluffy cleaner w/polishing compound, chuck it in the drill & use that to polish the interior of the stem

hope this helps, good luck