A glass bong is a device that allows you to smoke herb or tobacco through water filtration, resulting in a smoother and cooler experience. Glass bongs are popular among smokers because they are durable, easy to clean, and come in various shapes and sizes. However, glass bongs can also be expensive and hard to find, especially if you live in an area where they are illegal or frowned upon. Fortunately, you can make your own glass bong at home using some cheap, basic supplies and some creativity. In this blog post, we will show you how to make a glass bong in 8 simple steps, as well as what materials and tools you will need.
Materials and tools
To make a glass bong, you will need the following materials and tools:
- A glass bottle: This will be the body of your bong. You can use any kind of glass bottle, but keep in mind that the larger the bottle is, the bigger the bong hits will be. Also, choose a bottle that has a relatively flat surface on the upper curve of the body, where you will drill a hole for the downstem. Bottles with a long neck and a wide base work best.
- A piece of glass tubing: This will be the downstem of your bong, which is the tube that connects the bowl to the water chamber. You can buy glass tubing online or at a local head shop, or you can use an empty highlighter or pen as a substitute. The length of the glass tubing will depend on the size of your bottle, but it should be long enough to reach the opposite side of the base when inserted at an angle.
- A bowl: This is where you will pack your herb or tobacco. You can buy a glass bowl online or at a local head shop, or you can make one yourself using aluminum foil. The bowl should fit snugly on the end of the glass tubing.
- A rubber grommet: This is a small rubber ring that will seal the hole where you insert the downstem into the bottle. You can buy rubber grommets online or at a hardware store. The grommet should have an outside diameter of 31/32″, an inner diameter of 1/2″, and a 3/4″ groove.
- A drill: You will need a drill to make holes in the bottle for the downstem and the carb. The carb is a small hole that you cover with your finger when inhaling and release when clearing the smoke from the bong.
- A 3/4″ diamond drill bit: You will need this specific type of drill bit to drill through glass without breaking it. You can buy diamond drill bits online or at a hardware store.
- A propane torch: You will need this to heat up the end of the glass tubing so you can bend it into shape.
- A working surface: You will need a flat and stable surface to work on, such as a table or a countertop.
- Water: You will need water to fill up your bottle and to cool down the glass while drilling.
Steps
Now that you have all your materials and tools ready, follow these steps to make your glass bong:
- Clean the bottle. Empty the bottle and wash it out with warm water. Remove any labels or stickers that might be on it.
- Cut the glass tubing. Use a propane torch to heat up one end of the glass tubing until it glows red. Then, use pliers to snap off the end of the tube. Be careful not to burn yourself or drop the hot glass. Repeat this process until you have a piece of glass tubing that is about the same length as the distance from the upper curve of the body of your bottle to the opposite side of the base.
- Bend the glass tubing. Use the propane torch again to heat up about an inch of the end of the glass tubing that you just cut. Then, use pliers to bend it at a 90-degree angle. This will be the part that holds your bowl.
- Make a bowl. If you have a glass bowl, simply attach it to the end of the glass tubing that you just bent. If you don’t have one, you can make one using aluminum foil. Tear off a small piece of foil and wrap it around the end of the tube. Press down on the center of the foil to form a bowl shape and poke some tiny holes in it for the smoke to pass through.
- Drill a hole for the downstem. 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 marker. This will be where you drill the hole for the downstem. Then, turn on the faucet and hold the bottle under the water so that the spot you marked is wet. This will keep the glass cool and prevent it from cracking. Attach the diamond drill bit to your drill and set it to 3/4 of its max speed. Gently push the drill bit against the marked spot and start drilling slowly. Apply steady pressure but don’t force it. You should see some white powder coming out of the hole as you drill. Keep drilling until you have a clean hole that matches the size of your grommet.
- Insert the downstem. Push the grommet into the hole you just drilled and make sure it fits snugly. Then, insert the glass tubing into the grommet at an angle so that the end inside of the bottle is submerged in water. The bowl should be pointing upward on the outside of the bottle.
- Drill a hole for the carb. Find a spot on the bottle just below the neck, where you can easily reach it with your finger. Use a sharp tool, such as a pen, a knife, or a paperclip, to poke a small hole there. This will be your carb.
- Fill the bottle with water and test your bong. Fill up your bottle with water until it covers about an inch of the glass tubing inside. Pack your bowl with your herb or tobacco of choice and light it up. Cover the carb with your finger and inhale through the mouthpiece of the bottle. When you’re ready to clear the smoke, release your finger from the carb and inhale again.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have just made your own glass bong at home using some simple materials and tools. You can enjoy smoking from your homemade bong and impress your friends with your DIY skills. Just remember to clean your bong regularly and be careful when handling hot glass. Happy smoking!
