Pipes – Crafts Of Nature

From an antler or cutoffs from other projects cut the heads that are appropriate to the size of the stem.

Drill 3/8″ hole with the bit angled slightly upward. This is important because if the stem hole is angled downward, the pipe will not apppear normal.

Drill the top hole using any bit close to the antler core size. Try to just go through the stem hole and not through the stem hole. (This is better for attaching the stem.) Ream the hole out as far as possible.

Get the head looking like you want it to look like when finished. This is much easier to do now.

This is used to attach the head to the stem

Drill the stem (Pipe End) to 25/64″ . If you don’t have that bit use a 3/8″ bit and wobble it out as needed when attaching head.

Put the end of the tubing in the pipe just barely through the antler wall. Measure and mark 1 1/2- 2 ” out.

Using a tubing cutter, cut the tubing at the mark.

Using super glue or similar coat the end of the tubing and inside the stem hole. Insert the tubing and glue in place. ( The tubing in the image is in too far…just through the wall.)

Insert the head into the stem. Test before gluing to be sure the stem will go all the way to the head. If you used a 3/8″ bit, you may need to ream out the hole some. You can use super glue or Gorilla glue. This is the weak point of the pipe, so be sure it is secure. OR you can wait until the pipe is beaded and sewn. See here.

This is a good time to paint or burn the bowls.

Here is where you can spray or paint the heads with clear flat laquer. Also, if you are going to use a coat of epoxy resin, this is when to do it. This is not necessary. I do it mainly to strengthen the connection of the head to the stem.

Sewing the Rawhide

Measuring the circumference is very important step. If it is not accurate the rawhide you cut will be wrong. On tapered stems this requires 2 measurements, one at each end or the length of the rawhide.

This measurement must be very close to the end of the rawhide strip. In this case, I am using
5 1/2″ strips so the measurements should be 5 1/2″ apart.

Add 1/4″ to 3/8″ to each measurement 1/4: for thin and 3/8″ for thicker rawhide (over 1/16″) This is a general thing and may vary some with any piece of rawhide.

You will need a metal straightedge, a good utility knife, ruler, a hard cutting board, and a stone. It is a good idea to touch up the utility knife every cut or two. This is especially true when cutting thicker rawhide. Also, a long straightedge for trimming a hide and a shorter one for cutting the strips. Like anything, just make do with what you have.

Starting with a hide, it is important to trim one side going down the length of the hide. I usually trim off the end that will have the least waste. See the next picture.

Then trim one end of the Hide across the grain.

Now measure and cut a piece using the length of the strips you want. (Here I am going to use 5″ lengths.) If you are doing several pipes you can repeat this as many times as needed. Measure the circumference of largest pipe you see (on the large end) to get an idea of how many strips you will get out of each piece. Be sure to measure both ends of the cut.

Since pipe stems are tapered, the srtrip you are going to cut needs to be cut at a small angle. This important to help keep the stitching straight. The image is exaggerated, but you get the idea.

Using the measurements from the stem cut a strip out.

Before you start to punch holes, test the piece around the stem. If it just touches 1/8″ in is plenty. Fudge a little on both sides in or out if needed. This will come easier as you do more, as it is mostly experience here. It depends entirely on the thickness of the hide. This is an 8 hole chisel punch which is about right for most work.

Cut a much longer piece of senew that you need. You may need a long tail on the end and you don’t want to run out before you are done. (I am using ABOUT 30″ here.) Thread a curved needle (A straight needle does not work very well) and you are ready to start.

Start your first stitch from the inside.

Now go through both end holes and start stitching down keeping the tail between the stitches.

Go down 2-3 stitches with the tail on top of your needle as you go through each stitch. Then hold the tail outside and stitch the rest of the piece. Then give the tail a good pullto keep end stitches tight and lock in the end.

Make the last stitch twice. This will lock it in well enough. Don’t cut it off. Just tug it tight. Leaving the tails on gives you some options if when dry the stitches are loose, you can take you needle and working toward the endspull each stitch tight then at the end you can pull the slack out using the tails. Loose stitches are caused by not pulling stitches tight, cutting the strip too wide and the rawhide doesn’t stretch enoughor holes not cut far enough in.