What are the best materials and tools to use for making a glass bong at home?
If you are a fan of smoking herb or tobacco, you might have wondered how to make your own glass bong at home. A glass bong is a device that filters and cools the smoke by passing it through water, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable experience. Glass bongs are also more durable, easier to clean, and more aesthetically pleasing than plastic or metal ones.
However, buying a glass bong can be expensive, especially if you want a high-quality or custom-made one. That’s why some people prefer to make their own glass bongs using some basic materials and tools that they can find at home or in a local store. In this blog post, we will show you how to make a glass bong in 8 simple steps, as well as what are the best materials and tools to use for this DIY project.
To make a glass bong at home, you will need the following materials:
- A glass bottle: This will be the main body of your bong. You can use any kind of glass bottle, but it is better to choose one with a long neck and a wide base, as this will make it easier to drill and insert the downstem. You also want to make sure that the bottle is clean and empty.
- A glass tube: This will be the downstem of your bong, which is the tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber. You can use any kind of glass tube, but it should be about the same diameter as a pen or a highlighter. You also want to measure the length of the tube so that it fits your bottle. A good way to do this is to measure the distance from the upper curve of the bottle to the opposite side of the base, and then cut the tube slightly shorter than that.
- A glass bowl: This will be the part where you put your herb or tobacco. You can use any kind of glass bowl, but it should have a hole at the bottom that fits snugly over the end of the glass tube. You can also use a metal or ceramic bowl if you prefer.
- A rubber grommet: This will be used to seal the hole where you insert the downstem into the bottle. You can find rubber grommets at hardware stores or online. You want to choose one with an outside diameter of 31/32″, an inner diameter of 1/2″, and a 3/4″ groove.
- A drill: This will be used to make a hole in the bottle for the downstem. You need to use a battery-powered drill, as you will be running water over the drilling area. You also need to use a 3/4″ diamond drill bit, which is designed to cut through glass. You can buy these online or at specialty stores.
- A propane torch: This will be used to heat and bend the glass tube into shape. You can buy these online or at hardware stores.
- A working surface: This will be where you do all your drilling and shaping. You want to choose a flat and stable surface that can withstand heat and water. You also want to cover it with some newspaper or cloth to protect it from scratches and spills.
Step 2: Clean the bottle
Before you start drilling, you need to clean the bottle thoroughly with warm water and soap. This will remove any dirt, dust, or labels that might interfere with your drilling or affect your smoking experience. Rinse the bottle well and let it dry completely.
Step 3: Drill a hole
Now that you have your bottle ready, you need to drill a hole in it for the downstem. To do this, follow these steps:
- Mark a spot on the bottle where you want to drill. The spot should be on the upper curve of the body, slightly above the waterline. You can use a sharpie or a pencil to trace a circle around the grommet as a guide.
- Turn on your faucet and get a steady stream of water over the drill spot. This will keep the glass cool and prevent it from cracking or shattering.
- Attach the diamond drill bit to your drill and set it to 3/4 of its max speed.
- Gently push the drill against the marked spot and start drilling slowly. Do not apply too much pressure or force, as this might break the glass. Let the drill do the work and just guide it along.
- Once you have drilled through the glass, pull the drill out and turn it off. Rinse the bottle and the drill bit with water to remove any glass dust or debris.
Step 4: Insert the grommet
After you have drilled the hole, you need to insert the rubber grommet into it. This will create a tight and waterproof seal for the downstem. To do this, follow these steps:
- Wet the grommet with some water or saliva to make it easier to slide in.
- Push the grommet into the hole from the outside of the bottle. You might need to use some pliers or a screwdriver to help you push it in.
- Make sure that the grommet is flush with the surface of the bottle and that there are no gaps or leaks.
Step 5: Shape the tube
Now that you have your bottle and grommet ready, you need to shape the glass tube into a downstem. To do this, follow these steps:
- Turn on your propane torch and adjust the flame to a medium-high setting.
- Hold the glass tube with some pliers or tongs and heat one end of it with the torch. Rotate the tube slowly and evenly to heat it all around.
- When the glass becomes soft and pliable, remove it from the flame and bend it into a 90-degree angle. You can use a metal rod or a wooden spoon to help you shape it.
- Let the glass cool down and harden before you touch it or move on to the next step.
Step 6: Attach the bowl
After you have shaped the tube, you need to attach the glass bowl to it. To do this, follow these steps:
- Heat the end of the tube that you bent with the torch again until it becomes soft and sticky.
- Push the hole of the bowl over the end of the tube and press them together firmly. You can twist them slightly to make sure they are well attached.
- Let the glass cool down and harden before you touch it or move on to the next step.
Step 7: Insert the downstem
After you have attached the bowl, you need to insert the downstem into the bottle. To do this, follow these steps:
- Wet the end of the tube that is not bent with some water or saliva to make it easier to slide in.
- Push the end of the tube through the grommet from the outside of the bottle. You might need to wiggle it slightly to fit it in.
- Angle the downstem downward so that the end inside of the bottle is submerged in water. The bowl should be angled upward on the outside of the bottle.
- Make sure that there are no gaps or leaks between the downstem and the grommet.
Step 8: Enjoy your bong
Congratulations! You have just made your own glass bong at home using some simple materials and tools. Now you can enjoy smoking your herb or tobacco with your homemade device. To use your bong, follow these steps:
- Pack some herb or tobacco into your bowl and light it with a lighter or a match.
- Cover the carb (the hole at the top of the bottle) with your finger or thumb.
- Put your mouth over the mouthpiece (the opening of the bottle) and inhale slowly and deeply. You will see smoke filling up inside of your bong.
- When you are ready to take a hit, remove your finger from the carb and inhale quickly and sharply. You will feel a rush of smoke entering your lungs.
- Exhale and enjoy!
We hope this blog post has helped you learn how to make a glass bong at home using some basic materials and tools. Remember to always be careful when working with glass, heat, and water, and to clean your bong regularly for optimal performance. Happy smoking!