Estate Pipes Reclaimed = Diamonds from Coal

[morefifemusicanyone]

I love estate pipes!

Here are before and afters of a Kaywoodie Drinkless Aged Bruyere 8788 from ~1931-1936.

Before:







After:



Don't have a before of this one, but I got it and another Westbrook rusticated for 5 bucks total. A little bar keepers friend for the metal, and a light clean of the stem and it was good:





Great finds everyone!

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by morefifemusicanyone

I love estate pipes!

Here are before and afters of a Kaywoodie Drinkless Aged Bruyere 8788 from ~1931-1936.




Don't have a before of this one, but I got it and another Westbrook rusticated for 5 bucks total. A little bar keepers friend for the metal, and a light clean of the stem and it was good:




Great finds everyone!

Lovely examples of great saves. The Westbrook looks quite special.

[morefifemusicanyone]

Another Westbrook I received in the mail last night. I took better before and after pics to show the process a little more. Enjoy.

Before:






After:







The Supplies:

[Mister Moo]

Note to self - might as well open a pipe shop. It takes as much junk to clean up one pipe as it does 100 of them.

[drevim]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

Note to self - might as well open a pipe shop. It takes as much junk to clean up one pipe as it does 100 of them.

Don't know about opening a shop, but I'm compiling a hell of a list of top quality cleaning folks that I can send my pipes to for the thorough cleanings...

Does anyone want to work for tins?

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by drevim

Don't know about opening a shop, but I'm compiling a hell of a list of top quality cleaning folks that I can send my pipes to for the thorough cleanings...

Does anyone want to work for tins?

[ sign ] Wil Wurk Fore Tinz [ /sign ]

I would totally.

[Bent Stem]

Good thread & posts! Most of my pipe collection, well at least 90% of it, is old re-conditioned estaters!

[wharfrathoss]

it's nice to see the b4 & after pics. my rotation is all refurbished estates, except for 1 new Sav. some were from pipe shops, & only needed the interior cleaned, but most were from ebay or trades & needed the full treatment. i wish i had b4 pics to show, but i'll have to take some after pics & post those.

[Smarvy]

OK, as promised, I'm starting work on my current batch of estate pipes, and this is the one I'm most excited about, my new Bertram. I love panel billiards, and this one is going to be easy-peasy. It came to me in excellent shape, I really do think that it's been smoked once, maybe twice if I stretch my imagination. I had no idea what condition it was going to be in when I bought it as the seller only had one pic posted in the auction. I just had to have it though, and I lucked out. There are barely any teeth marks on the stem, and the bowl has the lightest coating of carbon on the walls, no cake and the heel is completely bare wood. It's in excellent shape. I'm just going to clean it out, and polish up the exterior and post those photos. I thought all Bertram's came with a number code to designate the quality, but this one has no stamping other than the Bertram stamp. Maybe they only started doing that when they began employing the WWII vets in their pipe-school?

Aloha,
Justin

[Smarvy]

Well, I didn't think there was going to be a huge difference, and it's even harder to tell in photographs. I think it looks a bit better though. It's hard to improve something that's already in great shape, and just needed a quick spit and polish.

Aloha,
Justin

[GWN]

Here is a whole pile of estate pipes that cost $25 for the lot at a yard sale. Nothing super special, though there are a couple of Kaywoodies and a few Ehrlichs. I have done several of them to learn the ins and outs of the process, but have saved what I think are the best half-dozen for last. Gonna take my time with those over the winter.
I reamed and salted them to get rid of much of the previous tobacco ghosts. The bowls have a new coat of carnuba wax and have been buffed. The bits have been sterilized and buffed. I didn't get the shine I wanted with the wax I used, so I may strip if off with Murphy's and try something else.

Here's the before and a couple of after pix:

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by GWN

Here is a whole pile of estate pipes that cost $25 for the lot at a yard sale. Nothing super special, though there are a couple of Kaywoodies and a few Ehrlichs. I have done several of them to learn the ins and outs of the process, but have saved what I think are the best half-dozen for last. Gonna take my time with those over the winter.
I reamed and salted them to get rid of much of the previous tobacco ghosts. The bowls have a new coat of carnuba wax and have been buffed. The bits have been sterilized and buffed. I didn't get the shine I wanted with the wax I used, so I may strip if off with Murphy's and try something else.

Here's the before and a couple of after pix:

Nice pipes! What a great buy for 25 bucks.

[afilter]

I love the B4 and afters...I will have to start doing that. I have become way to familiar with the estate section of E-bay and purchased a fes that when I recieved them I was thinking oh no, what have I done. Following the cleaning advice posted here moist have come back to life. Still waiting on the arrival of some wax and oxiclean (funny thing in Afghanistan you cannot just run out and get those items).

Peterson(best find) was in pretty good shape when I bought it:


Brebbia, another good find a bit of alcohol in the bowl and it was ready:


Hardcastle, this was and Oh-oh when it arrived. Had not been cleaned in who knows when. I could not even get my pinky in the bowl. Some reaming and alcohol and a bit of a green scub pad and it is a great smoker. Still waiting on nuetral wax to touch up the stem.



Basket (Unknown maker just state "Italy") almost as bad as the Hardcastle with baccy still in the bowl. Came with the pouch. Found the lighter and the tool in the pouch. Smokes well:



My latest project (savinelli). I am debating if it was a mistake. The bowl was nasty, but has come clean and looks good even without wax. The previous owner obviously smoked this pipe alot and was a bitter. The bottom of the stem is worn through which I did not notice in the ebay pic. Overall it has cleaned up nice and just needs some wax. Wondering if the stem is repairable/replaceable at a reasonable price.

E-bay pic with original box still need and after:


Aaron

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by afilter

Peterson(best find) was in pretty good shape when I bought it:

Nice pipes mate! This Pete is nice looking. Have you tried any methods to get the oxidization off the stem?

I like using 400 grit and 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper (lightly and with plenty of soapy water) and then a coat of olive or veggie oil and a little buff with a cloth. I think that stem is black underneath all of that oxidization.

Happy smoking!

[afilter]

Originally Posted by morefifemusicanyone

Nice pipes mate! This Pete is nice looking. Have you tried any methods to get the oxidization off the stem?

I like using 400 grit and 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper (lightly and with plenty of soapy water) and then a coat of olive or veggie oil and a little buff with a cloth. I think that stem is black underneath all of that oxidization.

Happy smoking!

Actually, I examined it close and think it is just a very unique colored stem. This was one of the cleanest estates I bought as the seller had it cleaned. There was a tiny bit of oxidation on the bit that did come off. The stem color is the best part IMHO.