Let’s Talk About Hand Sanding

[@LMJett]

Your completed pipes are so beautifully smooth and polished, that I was wondering if you possibly use a technique called "whiskering up" (which was used by master "gun stock makers" of olden times)????... It involves 1. lightly dampening the wood with water (during the final VERY FINE GRITS stages)... 2. using the heat of a candle (or a hair-drier, in modern times) to cause the tiny fibers to "stand up" (visually the wood surface temporarily becomes a "matte" finish)... and then 3. lightly sanding off these microscopic "raised hairs" with progressively finer grits. Repetition of this "final sanding/polishing" process several times with ultra-fine grits (and a very light touch) results in a wooden surface AS SMOOTH AND GLOSSY AS GLASS. I've used this handy trick many times in woodworking with "curly maple" prior to using wood dyes/stains and applying finishes... with excellent results. BUT, nothing was more beautiful than your GORGEOUS PIPES though!... So, WHATEVER you're doing (?) - you're doing a MASTERFUL JOB, my friend!

[@jalanpipes]

Yes, it's effectively a similar process, though the solvent in the stain is what 'lifts' the wood fibers.

[@mariobarrera420]

I got into making pipes because at home me and my wife had one pipe bought from the store and i would always take it to work to smoke. My wife would hate it when she woke up and had no papers or pipe to smoke from. So i decided to leave thr her the pipe and make my own so i made one from my native wood Mesquite here from Texas. I've made a little bit of pipes some that someone just had to buy and some that i gave to a friend and one that someone took. Watching your video's im primitively making mine with super basic tools but love making pipes. Much love keep making video's so i can learn more

[@jalanpipes]

Make pipes with what you have. The opportunity that you have to innovate with simple tools will serve you well. Best of luck and keep at it!

[@dansherling7232]

I collect vintage estate briar pipes and I do all of my sanding and repairing by hand. Thanks so much for sharing your techniques.

[@jalanpipes]

You're welcome. Glad you found it helpful

[@Zarumato]

Hand sanding is therapy for me.

[@eriklucidor422]

Thanks, I'm picking up good tips and techniques from every video that you make! I really appreciate it, Erik

[@jalanpipes]

Glad to hear it. Keep watching for more tips in the future.

[@Lutrasaurus]

Thank you for the video. As a amateur pipe maker I appreciate you talking on the subject. The second pipe I made I was shocked at all the scratches I didn't notice until I sanded back the contrast stain. (First time using stain) I hand sand my projects much more now.

[@jalanpipes]

Glad I could help!

[@paradisepipes7060]

Another great video Jeff! Thank you! I learn something from every one of your videos.

[@jalanpipes]

Awesome, thank you!

[@scottacissel]

Excellent video. Very professional on all areas. 👍

[@jalanpipes]

Scott Cissel much appreciated.

[@thefreeman8791]

Thank you for your videos. I am new to pipe making and I find them very helpful. I started using the handle of an old tooth brush and wrapping sandpaper around it. It has a rubber outside that makes it really good at getting into any small areas. Like when I am making a bent pipe it does really well between the bowl and the base of the stem there.

[@jalanpipes]

I’m delighted to know that you have discovered pipemaking and that you’ve found the videos helpful in your journey. Brilliant idea with the toothbrush! So many things can be tools! Just look around and find or make what you need. Keep sanding!

[@thefreeman8791]

@@jalanpipes Thank you. I practiced making pipes with some mulberry trees in my yard just to learn how to drill the holes correctly and then moved on to Briar. I kind of taught myself to drill the holes on some pipes that I don't care about messing up on and then switched to Briar when I knew that I could drill the holes properly.

[@4one6Piper]

Cool! Thanks for sharing. I'm sure that will come in useful for the artisans.👍🏻

[@jameshull5274]

Fantastic video Mr. Alen! I’m going to be attempting my first pipe soon and I’ve drawn a great deal of knowledge and inspiration from your content.

[@jalanpipes]

Glad to hear they’re helpful

[@Barfius99]

Amazing video! I would love it if you could make a video about how you make the sharp edges, carving, using files or the french wheel? Oh the mystery!

[@af4od02]

Thanks!

[@jalanpipes]

No problem!

[@CandidZulu]

I have never made a pipe, but probably will one day. I have made gun stocks though. Before there were sandpaper, gun stock makers used highly polished scrapers. Some consider these superior even today. And they are pretty much essential inside carvings. But other than that most use sandpaper. Have you tried scraping a nice finish?

[@jalanpipes]

Ah, yes. Scrapers are outstanding for your application. I’m familiar with them from luthierie. However, pipes are a bit small for them to be useful. I do use a scraper on my ebonite mouthpieces, though.

[@MassisPipes]

I've never seen the sandpaper flap on a rotary tool before, have to give that one a try in the shop next time!

[@jalanpipes]

Yes, this flap sanding method allows a very light touch. It’s a single flap of 1000 grit paper. The method and tool come from my friend, the very talented pipemaker, Ping Zhan.

[@TallGabe30]

Thanks for another great video!

[@jalanpipes]

Welcome. 😊

You are great. I liked your video and channel. I congratulate you. 👏👏👍Really✅

[@jalanpipes]

You’re too kind. Thanks for watching.

[@pipesbywoo]

I'm late to the party... not sure why I just found this particular video, but I've been making pipes out of Los Angeles for a couple of years. I saw you briefly at the Las Vegas show this year; do you still book pipemaking lessons?

[@harlowpiper2352]

Excellent great information

[@jalanpipes]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@Professorvapes]

I do most of my work by hand and to be honest trust my hand sanding more plus it is therapeutic.

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

How do you attach the sandpaper to the rotary bit? Which bit do you use? Great idea vs a drum for find work. Love these vids.

[@jalanpipes]

You need a special metal shaft with a slot cut in it.

[@Gspitaletti]

U are a master

[@jalanpipes]

You are kind. Thanks for watching.

[@The-man-with-the-many-pipes]

👌 👌 👌

[@garbagemanpiper]

Jeff very helpful👍🍭🐓👶

[@jalanpipes]

Garbage Man Piper glad you liked it. 🙌

[@brokenrecord3523]

I make knives and the hand sanding was killer. I saved up for a nice belt grinder and no more hand sanding for me! Wrong. Still, everything past 120 is by hand, wood or metal. You can see it in the final product.

[@VuTran15R]

please add vietsub bro

[@salmonline]

too bad. I really enjoyed these. Oh well...

[@jalanpipes]

Not sure I understand your comment. But thanks for watching