it to size. It is then placed in the frazing ma- 
chine. This usually has three cutters revolving 
at very high speed, making several thousand 
revolutions per minute. The center cutter 
shapes out the block and the outer knives cut 
away the wood on the outside so as to form the 
block roughly into the shape of a pipe bowl and 
stem. This is then placed in a special lathe for 
cutting irregular forms. It is usual to fit in it 
a metal pattern of the particular shape chosen 
for the pipe. A circular cutting tool is set in 
motion and the briar block, which turns with 
the metal pattern, is mechanically cut to the 
exact shape of the pattern. After cutting, the 
Pipe passes to the sandpapering machines where 
both inside and outside are thoroughly treated. 
and it gets a first polishing or smoothing on a 
pumice stone wheel. The next process is the 
boring of the stem which is done in a drilling 
machine by a steel wire having a cutting top 
rapidly turned by a lathe. The thread on the 
end of the stem for the mouthpiece is formed. 
by a special machine. The pipe is then ready 
for polishers and finishers. It is first sand- 
papered four times, twice with rough and twice 
with fine on revolving wheels. Unless the wood 
is to be left its natural color, it is dropped into 
a vat of stain until it acquires the color desired. 
After drying it is ready for “buffing.” A “buff” 
160 
