How close to the source of parts providers are you when it comes to making a pipe?
I mean, the metal bowel and the metal stem/bit design seems to be unchanged since at least the ancient Egyptians.
Do you know who actually makes those metal parts and do they make any other style? Who decided that was the official metal bowel of all small pipes?
The shank designs do look cool though.
I think you could make good money if you found somebody who could redesign the metal parts.
Wait, should I have just given away that idea?
I think a lot of the parts come from India. I've priced getting them directly from the source, but you have to order huge quantities and there's tons of paperwork. I'm not paying retail for the parts though. I have about 3 wholesalers that I use. Call them Monday, it's on my porch Thursday.
A lot of the parts are from making lamps. Not all, though. There's a lot of specialized pieces.
I went through a phase of trying to re- invent the wheel, I guess, but just making metal prototypes is cost prohibitive. I tried to come up with something to put on the little connection between the bowl and shank to make it cooler to the touch. The problem was any kind of glue would weaken from the heat. I'm just at a point of being happy to sit in front of the tv and make inexpensive but nice stuff.
I've always wondered who decides that "piece X and Y and Z go together". Probably the same people who decide when Daylight Savings Time starts.
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