Drilling Vulcanite Rod

Drilling vulcanite rod is the first and most decisive step in making a pipe mouthpiece. Although the mouthpiece looks, from the outside, like nothing more than a shape, its real function is carried out by the smoke channel inside it; once that channel is drilled crooked, rough, or off-center, correcting it afterward is next to impossible. That's why craftsmen open the hole before they ever shape the rod.

Nature of the Material

Vulcanite is a hard mass obtained by vulcanizing natural rubber with a high proportion of sulfur over a long period; it's also known as ebonite. The sulfur ratio varies over a wide range depending on the formulation, and the region that gives the best mechanical strength is generally taken to be around one third. Industrial-scale use of the material became established after Charles Goodyear developed vulcanization, when his brother Nelson Goodyear obtained a patent for hard rubber in 1851. Vulcanite cuts cleanly on the lathe and polishes well by hand; on the other hand, it's sensitive to heat. Worked at high speed or with a clogged bit, the surface burns, gives off an odor, and discolors. Its comparison with other materials used for mouthpieces is covered in the mouthpiece materials entry.