clogged stem

[brianwalden]

Luck is not on my side this week. I have this no-name featherweight that I bought for about 15 bucks. It's always had a very narrow stem opening in the stem. Now something's in there restricting the draw. I tried to get alcohol soaked pipe cleaners through there to open it up with no avail; they get stuck in the middle where I suppose the blockage is. I have a shank brush but the opening is to narrow to get it through. Is there anything else I can do? The pipe isn't worth sending it somewhere to open up the draw.

I think think all signs are telling me to buy a new pipe.

[selleri]

I would apply some heat, like vegetable oli heated with boiling water. The softened stem might let the cleaners through (cleaners could have that warm oil in them at first, since alcohol would just cool the stem down). If the cleaner is still not passing, I would try getting anything through, like piano wire. Then changing gradually to thicker stuff.

But that's just me, don't blame me if you break the thing for good with my ideas

Edit: No matter what you do, this is a perfect excuse to start looking for a new pipe. I've never heard of a Cavicchi that got permanently blocked

[Professor Mike]

Brian:
If you'll PM me your address I'll send you a couple of wire probes that I use just for opening clogged stems.

Prof. Mike

[brianwalden]

Originally Posted by Professor Mike

Brian:
If you'll PM me your address I'll send you a couple of wire probes that I use just for opening clogged stems.

Prof. Mike

That's very kind of you, sending PM.

[DSturg369]

WTG Mike!!