A glass bong is a great way to enjoy your favorite herb or tobacco, but it can also be fragile and prone to breaking or cracking if you’re not careful. Whether you’re drilling a hole in a glass bottle to make your own bong, or cleaning your existing bong, there are some tips and tricks you can follow to avoid damaging your glass piece. Here are some of them:
How to Drill a Hole in a Glass Bottle for a Bong
If you want to make a glass water bong from a bottle, you’ll need to drill a hole in it for the downstem and bowl. This can be tricky, as glass is hard and brittle, and can shatter or crack under pressure. To drill a hole in glass for a bong, you need to:
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Prepare the glass
by lining a piece of plywood with newspaper or an old sheet to add some cushioning. Place the glass onto the wood. -
Fit a one-eighth-inch carbide or diamond-tipped spear point drill bit
into your power drill’s chuck. These are specially designed for drilling through glass and can be found online or at hardware stores. -
Mark a spot to drill
on the bottle where the surface is relatively flat, somewhere on the upper curve of the body. Place a rubber grommet there and use it to trace a circle with a sharpie. The grommet will help seal the hole and prevent leaks. -
Put some masking tape over the marked spot
to prevent the drill bit from slipping and scratching the glass. -
Get a steady stream of water over the drill spot
to keep the glass cool and prevent it from breaking. You can use a faucet, a hose, or a spray bottle for this. -
Start drilling slowly
at an angle of about 45 degrees, using light pressure and steady speed. Gradually increase the angle until the drill bit is perpendicular to the glass. Don’t push too hard or too fast, as this can cause the glass to crack. -
Increase drill bit size
once you have made a small hole with the one-eighth-inch bit. Switch to a one-fourth-inch bit and repeat the drilling process. Then switch to a three-eighth-inch bit and do the same. Finally, switch to a half-inch bit and finish drilling the hole. -
Ease the pressure
as you near the end of drilling. Be careful not to break through the glass too abruptly, as this can cause cracks or chips. -
Clean the hole
by removing any debris or shards of glass with tweezers or pliers. Rinse the bottle with water and dry it with a towel. -
Insert the downstem and bowl
through the grommet and into the hole. Make sure they fit snugly and securely. You can use some silicone sealant or epoxy glue if needed. -
Congratulations!
You have just made your own glass water bong from a bottle. Enjoy!
How to Clean Your Glass Bong Without Breaking It
Cleaning your glass bong regularly is important for maintaining its performance and appearance, as well as your health. However, cleaning your bong can also be risky, as you might drop it, knock it over, or expose it to sudden temperature changes that can cause cracks. To clean your glass bong without breaking it, you need to:
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Gather your supplies
. You’ll need some coarse salt, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, pipe cleaners, ziplock bags, rubber bands, and paper towels. -
Disassemble your bong
. Remove the downstem and bowl from the bong and place them in separate ziplock bags. Fill the bags with enough rubbing alcohol and salt to cover them completely. Seal the bags and shake them gently. -
Cover the openings of your bong
. Use cotton balls or paper towels to plug the mouthpiece and carb hole of your bong. Secure them with rubber bands. -
Pour rubbing alcohol and salt into your bong
. Fill your bong about halfway with rubbing alcohol and add some salt. The alcohol will dissolve the resin and the salt will act as an abrasive to scrub the glass. -
Shake your bong
. Hold your bong firmly and shake it vigorously for a few minutes. Be careful not to drop it or hit it against anything. You should see the alcohol turn brown as it removes the dirt and residue from the glass. -
Rinse your bong
. Pour out the dirty alcohol and salt mixture and rinse your bong with hot water. Repeat this step until the water runs clear and no traces of alcohol or salt are left. -
Clean the downstem and bowl
. Take them out of the ziplock bags and rinse them with hot water. Use pipe cleaners to remove any stubborn bits of resin or ash from the holes and crevices. -
Dry your bong
. Wipe your bong, downstem, and bowl with paper towels and let them air dry completely before reassembling them. -
Enjoy!
You have just cleaned your glass bong without breaking it. Now you can enjoy a smooth and fresh hit of your favorite herb or tobacco.
Conclusion
A glass bong is a wonderful device for smoking, but it can also be delicate and fragile. By following these tips and tricks, you can avoid breaking or cracking your glass bong while drilling or cleaning it, and extend its lifespan and quality. Remember to always handle your glass bong with care and respect, and it will reward you with many satisfying sessions.
