I have been an amateur pipemaker for most of my adult life(quite a long
time now). My problem has always, without exception, been lack of good
information. Pipemakers are, a LITTLE understandably, a secretive
bunch. I started out with the cocks and bryan book and the wilbert
garvin book. Anyone I asked advice from was suddenly too busy to be
able to chat. I have given up and gone back to this hobby a great many
times. Only now, a great number of years later, can I comfortably go
out and make the wooden parts I need well. Keymaking is still a lost
art to me although Im working on that. The arrival of a nice old myford
lathe in my workshop I can turn the metal parts I need as well as the
wood. There will be no giving this up now whether anyone is prepared
to help me now or not.
I dont mean this to be about the nsp in particular, its about
pipemakers in general. They wish to protect their income I suppose.
Some sort of information should be recorded for posterity and to
encourage more amateurs to have a go. Mike Nelsons site is very good
but is sadly incomplete. Its a fun and rewarding hobby which will stay
with me for the rest of my life
Bob
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