DIY Pipe tampers

[VFD421]

I would like to turn out a few pipe tampers and was wondering if anyone knew of a source for kits exists. Primarily the metal hardware with poker. If not I am open to suggestions. Thanks

[letsgomountaineers]

scrap metal and a metal lathe. the metal lathe will set you back about 600$ though.

[VFD421]

Originally Posted by letsgomountaineers

scrap metal and a metal lathe. the metal lathe will set you back about 600$ though.

I do have a wood lathe and was planning on making the tampers from wood or acrylic blanks. Was just looking for the metal parts in form of a kit or ideas on substitutes.

[morefifemusicanyone]

Originally Posted by VFD421

I do have a wood lathe and was planning on making the tampers from wood or acrylic blanks. Was just looking for the metal parts in form of a kit or ideas on substitutes.

Are you looking to do something along these lines?

If so, maybe you could fabricate the poker from a czech pipe tool or a pipe nail?

Are you thinking of using a fountain pen blank?

Either way, post a how to when you get it figured out. I am getting a wood lathe this summer and would love to turn a tamper.

-Tyler

[paperairplane]

4' dowel rod - $2
Used .44 cal brass - free
Epoxy / JB Weld / Etc - $2

Cut dowel into 16, 3" lengths. Apply dab of adhesive, insert into .44 case.

Ta-da! Tampers for about $0.25 each.

Really, you can make do with no fancy .44 case and cut these to 2" for under $0.10 tampers.

[VFD421]

Originally Posted by morefifemusicanyone

Are you looking to do something along these lines?

If so, maybe you could fabricate the poker from a czech pipe tool or a pipe nail?

Are you thinking of using a fountain pen blank?



-Tyler

Yes, something like that, with perhaps a pen blank. thanks

Originally Posted by paperairplane

4' dowel rod - $2
Used .44 cal brass - free
Epoxy / JB Weld / Etc - $2

Cut dowel into 16, 3" lengths. Apply dab of adhesive, insert into .44 case.

Ta-da! Tampers for about $0.25 each.

Really, you can make do with no fancy .44 case and cut these to 2" for under $0.10 tampers.

Great idea, cheap and easy and I can practice my turning skills. Thanks

[Hendu3270]

Originally Posted by morefifemusicanyone

Are you looking to do something along these lines?

If so, maybe you could fabricate the poker from a czech pipe tool or a pipe nail?

Are you thinking of using a fountain pen blank?

Either way, post a how to when you get it figured out. I am getting a wood lathe this summer and would love to turn a tamper.

-Tyler

Wow! Those bad boys are pricey! They are nice though.

[uncballzer]

May have to do a little search, but there was someone on here (CS) that made some tampers--heavy brass--no reamer or poker on them, but work wonderfully for tamping!

[VFD421]

Originally Posted by uncballzer

May have to do a little search, but there was someone on here (CS) that made some tampers--heavy brass--no reamer or poker on them, but work wonderfully for tamping!

I did a search and found them. Talk about heavy duty, but very nice. Thanks

[azff]

Another idea for a DIY tamper is to use the end of an antler. I had some shed antlers that I found while hunting that weren't anything special, so I cut about 3 inches off the tip of one and sanded the blunt end. a Little brown shoe polish and wax and you have a cool rustic tamper with a built in pointy end for a semi-poker.

[VFD421]

Thanks for all the ideas, someday when it warms up and I can get out to the garage I can try some of them.