Replies

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Nov 26, 2009 08:21am | #1

   I'm wondering why they would need to be dish shaped and identical?  Couldn't the rack be made such that it wouldn't require the dish shapes?  I can envision one made with dowels for example.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   James_bkf | Nov 27, 2009 09:45am | #7

   Hi Bob, I am making this for a friend at works husband and he wants dished ovals. Thanks James.

2. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Nov 26, 2009 08:36am | #2

    You could try a small drum sander,  the kind that fits in a drill chuck.   Dish down from both sides of the area, a little hand sanding and they are done.  

   " Although I have the right to remain stupid, I try not to abuse that right"
1. 
   James_bkf | Nov 27, 2009 09:54am | #8

   Great Idea thanks. I will try all methods to see which one looks best. thanks again, James

3. 
   Metod | Nov 26, 2009 04:52pm | #3

   James,
   Router - template guide - template - radius (round bottom) bit.
   Start with a small oval opening template. 1/4" plywood is easy to handle. Make a test cut. Keep enlarging the oval till you get the desired results.
   Well-smoking pipes deserve a nice rack <g>.
   Best wishes,
   Metod

1. 
   dougmeyer | Nov 26, 2009 05:32pm | #4

   The router trick is what my brother did years ago in shop class for my father (who used to smoke a pipe). Seamed to work well and it looked good. He did NOT however used an oval. He just did a large line and it worked well.

   Doug M

1. 
   James_bkf | Nov 27, 2009 10:05am | #10

   Doug, Wish I could see what it looks like. Thanks for responding, James

2. 
   James_bkf | Nov 27, 2009 10:02am | #9

   Sounds like a good method I need to make ovals for 45 pipes. I'll try to make an oval pattern tomorrow. Thanks James

4. 
   danmart | Nov 26, 2009 06:08pm | #5

   J

   Its not complicated. Set the board face on an angle on your drill press(might need to make a holder with mdf) Put your 1 1/2" forstner bit(or the size you like) in and drill the ovals in the board face at the angle. Butt glue the 2nd board at 90 degrees with the slots cut for the pipe stems. The bowl sits in the oval and the stem in the slot.

   If this confuses you, I can send along a photo when I get back from the T-giving travels.

   dan

1. 
   James_bkf | Nov 27, 2009 09:40am | #6

   Thanks Dan, A picture would be great. Happy Thanksgiving. James

5. 
   RalphBarker | Nov 27, 2009 07:47pm | #11

   There are two basic designs for pipe racks - bowl up or bowl down. One is where the pipes hang from the bowls (bowl up), and the other where the bowl rests in a depression, with the stems leaning into slots in a retainer board (bowls down). From your description, I'm assuming that you are planning on the bowl-down design.

   Using a router with a guide bushing and an oval-shaped template with a round-bottomed bit will give you a depression with an oval shape at the surface, but the depressing will be of even depth. That will work, but it may not be what you are envisioning.

   If you're thinking in terms of depressions that are more like the bottom section of an egg laying on its side, you might think of using an egg-shaped rasp bit chucked in a drill (or, drill press). Either way, you'll want some sort of jig to maintain control over either the drill or the work, or both, I think.

6. 
   cowtown | Nov 28, 2009 08:23am | #12

   back when pipes were popular, I as a beginner in Woodbutchery, made one for my new father in law.

   Made a simple stand, with a slightly raised portion to hold the bowls.

   Drilled circular holes, then used a carving gouge to cut down starting about 1/4" outside the circle. In short, I simply scalloped the edge with the carving gouge.

   MY FIL quit smoking pipes and died before he wore it out.

   Eric

   
1. 
   dgreen | Nov 29, 2009 03:46am | #13

   He looks a great deal like J. R. "Bob" Dobbs, founder of the Church of the SubGenius. 

    

   ................................................

   Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.~ Denis Diderot

1. 
   cowtown | Nov 30, 2009 05:13am | #14

   NO KIDDING EH?Luv that stuff. Specially the concept that anyone who takes away your "slack" is infringing on yer right to practice yer religion.