I've been shaping pipes for about a month now, after some inspiration from a good friend and some encouragement from the wife. I've been having a blast. I'm essentially making epipemods clones for now as I have yet to find sufficient components in a hardware store to mimic the Romaniac design. I'm also going to try auto switch and back-of-the-bowl push button switch designs as I move forward.
My first crack at it was a block of briar that ended up like so:
After initially not incorporating a safety fuse, I decided to drill out another 3mm to fit a shortstop, and ended up with this:
I couldn't believe it. All that effort, right down the drain.
I wiped the tears awayand started working on a blank of curly Pyinma that I had waitin in the wings and came up with this:
The craftsmanship isn't perfect, but it sure works a treat! I'm in love, and I'm hooked. I have several sketches awaiting exectution, and lots more wood blanks waiting in the wings - including another block of briar (dammit!!).
Simply awesome, NF -- you make it look easy!