DIY Gandalf's Pipe.

Try the Gandalf Style !!
As you all know the Pipeweed its so rare, so In order to enjoy the good taste of Tobacco I made an enjoyable article that helps to relax in the long journeys by the Forest.
Its gifts time and I was wondering how to surprise  a friend of mine that loves the Lord of the Rings Saga and of course the new movie The Hobbits and why not make another one for me.

Step 1: Stuff.

Stuff:
Walnut Seed.
Drill.
Big drill bit.
Dremel.
Sand Paper.
Thin Holed Branches.
Varnish.

Step 2: Tobacco Chamber.

For the Tobacco chamber I used a Black Walnut Seed from my granpa's backyard.I used a big drill Bit to make a hole carefully that doesn't break the seed.Then put the seed in the Drill and start to sand with rough sand paper then with thin Sand paper, until, the surface take a smooth looking.Finnally I open on the side of the seed a hole where the stem is glued with Wood Glue.When the stem is sticked and after a couple of hours when the glue has dryed I applied Clear Varnish.

Step 3: Stem.

This is on the tricki side because I just dont know what kind of branch I find in the forest that was with a hole in all the branches.I just remove the interior with a wire and remove the inside parts of the branches.Apply Varnish once the Chamber and stem are glued together.

Comments

[99connor]

what if the walnut cracks can you still use it

[star-lord6]

I don't think so, cause the tabaco would fall out probably. good question though!

[balderd]

Try tagua nut (aka vegetable ivory) for the bowl.

[Mr.Sanchez]

I did...but in my country its so expensive and rare.

[balderd]

It is fairly easy to find here in Canada. I could arrange to ship you some if you would like.

[JayC113]

Try using hardwood for the stem. Drill the center and place an opened wire coat hanger in the drilled hole. Wrap a length of twine length wise from hole to hole. twist a long bolt in one side of the twine. Soak the stem in water for a few days. After soaking take the stem out twist the bolt a few more times, and place back in the water. Repeat this until you have the desired curve, then place in a dehydrator on low until moisture is gone. Remove twine and wire from stem, then carve to desired shape.

[Jake_Makes]

Try bamboo with a heat gun to curve the stem.

[wrongperson]

Tried it. Don't work as well

[bcavaciuti]

elderberry branches and leaves contain forms of cyanide, that im pretty sure could get into you if you smoked a lot from the pipe other sources ive looked at have said its alright to smoke form an elderberry pipe if it is not on a regular basis though personally i really wouldn't take the risk of getting cyanide poisoning it sounds pretty horrible.

[oud25]

my brother has smoked a pipe a few times and we love lord of the rings so i would love to make this for him
is elderberry strong enough to use?

[bcavaciuti]

elderberry branches and leaves contain forms of cyanide, that im pretty sure could get into you if you smoked a lot from the pipe other sources ive looked at have said its alright to smoke form an elderberry pipe if it is not on a regular basis though personally i really wouldn't take the risk of getting cyanide poisoning it sounds pretty horrible.

[Mr.Sanchez]

Try reinforcing the stem with a mix of glue and sawdust.That helps to give a little more of strength.

[skenney2]

elderberry or walnut branches also have a pith that is easily removed.coating the inside of the bowl with honey before lightly smoking a new pipe a few times will braze the bowl and build a little carbon to keep bowl from burning thru. read that on e-howto in prep to make one of these as gift :)

[bcavaciuti]

elderberry branches and leaves contain forms of cyanide, that im pretty sure could get into you if you smoked a lot from the pipe other sources ive looked at have said its alright to smoke form an elderberry pipe if it is not on a regular basis though personally i really wouldn't take the risk of getting cyanide poisoning it sounds pretty horrible.

[tigr87]

Please answer.
Could I use a avocado seed?
Could you carve it?
I also heard they have trace amounts of arsenic in them, so would that be a problem?

[Mr.Sanchez]

I dont recommend to use avocado seed.You can carve it but th fumes aren't healthy.

[tigr87]

Thanks. Why isn't it healthy?just asking out of curiosity

[Mr.Sanchez]

Especially harmful if ingested, some items may also be caustic or produce harmful fumes:

Toxic plants (including parsley)
Metal polish
Avocado
Chocolate
Moldy grains/seeds

[assassinsarmy]

Thanks ill try them all!

[tigr87]

Oh thanks. I'm trying to find an alternative to walnuts since I'm extremly allergic to them.