If you are looking for a creative way to enjoy your herb or tobacco, you might want to try making your own glass bong from a glass bottle. A glass bong is a device that filters and cools the smoke from burning herb or tobacco through water, making it smoother and less harsh on your lungs. Glass bongs can be expensive to buy, but you can make one yourself with some basic tools and materials.
In this blog post, we will show you how to drill a hole in a glass bottle to make a glass bong. Drilling a hole in glass may sound intimidating, but it is actually quite easy if you follow the right steps and precautions. You will need:
- A glass bottle of any shape and size. You can use a wine bottle, a beer bottle, a soda bottle, or any other glass bottle you have lying around.
- A power drill with a small spear-tipped carbide or diamond bit. These are special bits that are designed to cut through glass without shattering it. You can find them at most hardware stores or online.
- A larger spear-tipped carbide or diamond bit that matches the diameter of the stem or downstem you want to use for your bong. A stem or downstem is the tube that connects the bowl (where you put your herb or tobacco) to the water chamber (the bottle). You can buy them at smoke shops or online, or you can use a metal straw, a pen tube, or any other metal or plastic tube that fits snugly into the hole.
- A bowl or slide that fits into the stem or downstem. This is where you put your herb or tobacco and light it up. You can buy them at smoke shops or online, or you can use a metal socket, a bottle cap, or any other metal or plastic piece that has a small hole in it.
- A rubber grommet or sealant that fits around the stem or downstem and seals the hole in the bottle. You can buy them at hardware stores or online, or you can use hot glue, silicone, epoxy, or any other waterproof adhesive.
- A bucket of water or a sink with running water.
- Painter’s tape or masking tape.
- A felt-tip marker.
- Protective goggles, dust mask, and work gloves.
Once you have all the tools and materials ready, you can start drilling the hole in the glass bottle. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Mark the drill site
Decide where you want to drill the hole in the bottle. It should be on the side of the bottle, near the bottom, but not too close to the base. The hole should be large enough to fit the stem or downstem, but not so large that it compromises the integrity of the bottle.
Make an “X” with two pieces of painter’s tape or masking tape at the drill site. In the center of the “X”, use a felt-tip marker to indicate the precise spot where the hole will be. The tape will give your bit some traction and keep it from slipping on the slick glass surface.
Step 2: Secure the glass for drilling
Place the bottle on a folded towel or similar makeshift pad on a stable work surface. The pad will cushion the bottle and prevent it from rolling, sliding, or shifting while you drill. Make sure the taped side of the bottle is facing up.
Step 3: Drill a starter hole
Fit your power drill with the small spear-tipped carbide or diamond bit. You will be using this bit to open up a starter hole, which you can then bore out to the exact size you want with the larger bit.
Put on your protective goggles, dust mask, and work gloves. Glass shards can fly off and injure your eyes, lungs, and skin if you are not careful.
Align the pointed tip of the bit with the center of the crossed tape and hold
the drill so that it forms a right angle with the surface of the glass. Squeeze
the trigger of the drill lightly while pressing the bit straight into
the bottle.
Start drilling at a 45 degree angle and then gradually become perpendicular
to
the bottle as you make progress. This will help prevent cracking
the glass.
Drill slowly and steadily, using low speed and moderate pressure. Do not
force
the bit or push too hard, as this can also cause the glass to break.
As you drill, keep the bit and the bottle wet with water. The water will help
to cool the bit and the glass and prevent overheating, which can also lead to
cracking. You can use a spray bottle, a sponge, or a hose to apply water, or
you can submerge the bottle in a bucket of water or under a running faucet.
Just make sure your drill is waterproof or cordless if you do this.
Drill until you break through the other side of the bottle. You will feel a
sudden decrease in resistance when this happens. Be careful not to apply too
much pressure at this point, as you may chip the glass around the hole.
Step 4: Enlarge the hole
Remove the small bit from your drill and replace it with the larger bit that
matches the diameter of your stem or downstem. Repeat the same drilling
process as before, using the starter hole as a guide. Drill slowly and
carefully, keeping the bit and the bottle wet, until you have enlarged the
hole to the desired size.
Step 5: Smooth and cover the hole
Remove the tape from the bottle and inspect the hole. It may have some rough
edges or burrs that can cut you or damage your stem or downstem. To smooth
them out, you can use a 600-grit diamond file, sandpaper, or steel wool. Gently
rub the abrasive material around the hole until it feels smooth to the touch.
Next, insert your stem or downstem into the hole. It should fit snugly and
securely, without any gaps or leaks. If it is too loose, you can wrap some
tape around it to make it thicker. If it is too tight, you can sand it down a
bit to make it thinner.
To seal the hole and prevent any air or water from escaping, you can use a
rubber grommet or some sealant. A rubber grommet is a ring-shaped piece of
rubber that fits around the stem or downstem and plugs the hole in the bottle.
You can find them at hardware stores or online, in various sizes and shapes.
To use one, simply slide it over your stem or downstem and push it into the
hole until it is flush with the bottle.
If you don’t have a rubber grommet, you can use some sealant instead. This can
be hot glue, silicone, epoxy, or any other waterproof adhesive that bonds well
with glass and metal or plastic. To use one, apply a generous amount of sealant
around the stem or downstem where it meets the bottle. Smooth it out with your
finger or a tool and let it dry completely before using your bong.
Step 6: Attach the bowl
The last step is to attach your bowl or slide to your stem or downstem. This is where you put your herb or tobacco and light it up. You can buy a bowl or slide at smoke shops or online, or you can use a metal socket, a bottle cap, or any other metal or plastic piece that has a small hole in it.
To attach your bowl or slide, simply insert it into the end of your stem or downstem that sticks out of the bottle. It should fit snugly and securely,
without any gaps or leaks. If it is too loose, you can wrap some tape around it to make it thicker. If it is too tight, you can sand it down a bit to make it thinner.
Congratulations! You have just made your own glass bong!
To use your glass bong, fill the bottle with water until it covers about half of your stem or downstem. Pack your bowl or slide with your herb or tobacco of choice and insert it into your stem or downstem. Hold your bong by the neck and put your mouth over the opening of the bottle. Light your bowl or slide and inhale slowly and deeply through your mouth. The smoke will travel through the water and cool down before reaching your lungs.
Enjoy your homemade glass bong and be proud of your DIY skills! Remember to clean your bong regularly to keep it in good condition and prevent any mold,
bacteria, or residue from building up. You can use rubbing alcohol, salt,
vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, or any other natural cleaning agent to clean
your bong.
We hope this blog post was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to leave them below. Happy
