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If you are a fan of glass bongs, you know how delicate and fragile they can be. Glass bongs are great for smoking your favorite herb or tobacco, but they also require some care and maintenance to keep them in good shape. One of the most common problems that glass bong users face is breaking or cracking their bong while drilling or cleaning it. Drilling a hole in a glass bottle to make a bong can be tricky and risky, and cleaning a glass bong can also cause damage if not done properly. In this blog post, we will share some tips and tricks on how to avoid breaking or cracking your glass bong while drilling or cleaning it.
How to Drill a Hole in a Glass Bottle to Make a Bong?
Drilling a hole in a glass bottle to make a bong is not as easy as it sounds. You need the right tools, materials and technique to do it safely and successfully. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Pick your bottle. Choose a glass bottle that has a long neck and a wide base, and that has little curve on the upper slope where the base connects into the stem. This will make it easier to drill a clean and perfectly sized hole for the stem.
- Get the proper drill bit. You will need a 3/4″ diamond drill bit to drill through the glass. These drill bits are specially designed for drilling glass and can be found online or at local hardware stores.
- Acquire a downstem, bowl, and grommet. You will need a 14mm glass bowl and downstem that fit your bottle. The downstem should be approximately the same length as the distance from the upper curve of the body of your bottle to the opposite side of the base, or slightly shorter. You will also need a rubber grommet with an outside diameter of 31/32″, an inner diameter of 1/2″, and a 3/4″ groove. These can be found online or at local head shops.
- Clean the bottle. Empty the bottle and wash it out with warm water. Warm water helps the drilling go smoothly. You will be drilling in the sink, so make sure that area is clear.
- Mark a spot to drill. Remove any plastic that might be on the bottle. Find a spot on the bottle where the surface is relatively flat, somewhere on the upper curve of the body. Place the grommet there and use it to trace a circle with a sharpie.
- Prepare your tools. Attach the diamond drill bit to your drill. Be sure to use a battery powered drill, as you will be running water over the drilling area. Since there will be drilling and glass involved, it’s a good idea to put on safety goggles.
- Get a steady stream of water over the drill spot. To keep the glass cool and prevent it from breaking, turn on the faucet. You want more than just a trickle but not such a heavy stream that you can’t see what you’re doing. Hold the bottle so the water runs over the spot you marked.
- Start drilling slowly. Set your drill to 3/4 of its max speed and gently push it against the marked spot. To get a steady drill, first angle the drill bit so it just touches the top of the spot. Slowly angle the drill bit until it’s going into the glass at a 90 degree angle, using the carved out edge as a pivot.
- Grind away sharp edges and clean out the glass. Once you have drilled through the glass, use the drill bit to smooth out any sharp edges around the hole. Then rinse out the bottle with water to remove any glass dust or debris.
- Put in the grommet, stem, and bowl. Insert the grommet into the hole you drilled, making sure it fits snugly. Then insert the downstem into the grommet, leaving enough space for the bowl. Finally, attach the bowl to the downstem and you’re done!
Congratulations! You have just made your own glass bong out of a bottle!
How to Clean Your Glass Bong Without Breaking or Cracking It?
Cleaning your glass bong is essential for keeping it hygienic and functional. However, cleaning your glass bong can also cause damage if you are not careful. Here are some tips on how to clean your glass bong without breaking or cracking it:
- Disassemble your bong. Remove the bowl and the downstem from the bottle and set them aside. You will need to clean them separately.
- Rinse your bong with hot water. Fill the bottle with hot water and shake it well to loosen any residue or dirt. Pour out the water and repeat until the water runs clear.
- Use a cleaning solution. You can use a commercial bong cleaner or make your own by mixing equal parts of rubbing alcohol and salt. Pour the solution into the bottle and shake it vigorously for a few minutes. The alcohol will dissolve the sticky resin and the salt will act as an abrasive to scrub away any stubborn stains.
- Clean the bowl and the downstem. You can use the same cleaning solution to clean the bowl and the downstem. Pour some of the solution into a ziplock bag and put the bowl and the downstem inside. Seal the bag and shake it well for a few minutes. You can also use a pipe cleaner or a cotton swab to reach any hard-to-clean areas.
- Rinse everything with hot water. After you have cleaned everything with the solution, rinse everything with hot water to remove any traces of alcohol or salt. Make sure everything is dry before reassembling your bong.
That’s it! You have just cleaned your glass bong without breaking or cracking it!
Conclusion
Glass bongs are awesome, but they also require some care and attention to keep them in good shape. By following these tips on how to avoid breaking or cracking your glass bong while drilling or cleaning it, you can enjoy your glass bong for a long time.
If you liked this blog post, please share it with your friends and leave a comment below. And if you need any help with your glass bong or any other smoking accessories, feel free to contact us anytime!
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