Loose Stem - Oh No'z!

[Vrbas]

Anyone have any advice to fix a loose stem on a straight, vintage Medico Crest pipe? The stem is slightly loose when fully inserted and smoke tends to "leak" out (as well as my spit ). Thanks in advance!

Jordan

[Slow Triathlete]

Check the shank to see if there are any cracks in it. I found on in one of my pipes that suddenly became loose. Luckily this pipe was just a beater pipe and I fixed it with super glue.

[Blaylock]

Try a search in this forum for "loose stem"...a few threads will pop up.

Two suggestions I read are...

clear nail polish (for acrylic stems) and bees wax.

Also read:
'Sometimes just smoking older/vintage "dried" out" pipes a few times will tighten the stem a bit.'...according to M'Moo.

[wharfrathoss]

if the pipe hasn't been smoked in awhile, just smoking will likely tighten it back up-just be careful the bowl doesn't fall off in the meanwhile-if it doesn't get better after 5 or 10 smokes & the shank isn't cracked, i'd use beeswax or unscented soap-if you put a heavy coat on the tenon it should solve the problem-if the shank is cracked you can usually get a nickle band for about $10