Brigham Pipes

[Arkie_]

Arkie it sounds like a problem with the stem, if the shank is clear that is the only other place that there can be a blockage, like nfisher said, I have never heard of a Brigham having a tight draw.
I think it can be fixed, if I were you I would contact Brigham and look into it.

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I've come to the same conclusion. It has been getting worse so it could be a bit of fuzz from a pipe cleaner has lodged in the stem and aggravated the problem.

[Bob]

If its a straight stem, you can very carefully run a small drill bit through it. I did that to fix a tight draw on my Peterson Shamrock, it smokes like a dream now!


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[nsfisher]

Arkie; I would be very interested in seeing that Brig. I cannot understand why you can't draw on it empty. I do find, that with the bent stem, one does have to bend a cleaner a certain way to pass it tru but the draw is still good. I have just never run into your situation before. There is definitely something blocking it. I can run a cleaner tru mine while it is assembled. I usually run a cleaner tru all my pipes while i am smoking it, about halfway tru the bowl.

[Arkie_]

I have to bend a pipe cleaner a certain way just to get it thru the shank even with the stem removed. The main problem is with the stem. I considered running a bit thru the stem but it is bent. I suspect the stem partially collapsed during the bending operation at the factory and the constriction makes it vulnerable to being blocked by the slightest bit of pipe cleaner fuzz, residue, etc. IMO it is a beautiful pipe so I'm not willing to discard it without trying to fix it.

[Bob]

I have to bend a pipe cleaner a certain way just to get it thru the shank even with the stem removed. The main problem is with the stem. I considered running a bit thru the stem but it is bent. I suspect the stem partially collapsed during the bending operation at the factory and the constriction makes it vulnerable to being blocked by the slightest bit of pipe cleaner fuzz, residue, etc. IMO it is a beautiful pipe so I'm not willing to discard it without trying to fix it.

You can buy flexible drill bits, they will follow the original drill. I do mine by hand, not with a drill! Or you can gently heat the stem, straighten, drill, and then re-bend the stem with a cleaner inserted to help keep it open.

[Arkie_]

You can buy flexible drill bits, they will follow the original drill. I do mine by hand, not with a drill! Or you can gently heat the stem, straighten, drill, and then re-bend the stem with a cleaner inserted to help keep it open.

I don't have a flexible bit so I might try the straightening and re-bending method. Thanks for the advice.

[nsfisher]

If u are going to straighten the stem a bit mate. First insert 2 pipe cleaners into it and leave them in. you can actually rebend or straighten it with just almost boiling water. It is the safest no risk way to go. When you have it in the shape you want, insert it in cold water immediately.