In recent years, there has been an explosion of products that enhance the way our bodies metabolize cannabinoids to provide a better overall experience.
While innovations in cannabis science have created better smoking experiences, it has also created better pipes and bongs. When it comes to smoking out of a pipe or a bong, handmade glass pipes continue to reign supreme for their ability to provide exceptional percolation and filtration in ways that most other materials just can’t match.
With almost 20% of Americans using cannabis regularly, it’s no wonder that the market for glass smoking devices is booming. From hi-tech filtration and percolator advancements to the growth in artsy, colorful hand pipes, there are more options on the market than ever before. And while most of us have put together a functional homemade bong in the past using household items, some smokers are just now realizing that they can do better.
For those DIY enthusiasts out there looking to take their smoking game to the next level by learning how to make their own homemade glass pipe, here’s a step-by-step process with all the tools and materials you’ll need to do just that.
The Benefits of a Glass Pipe
Before getting into the details on how to blow your own glass pipe, it’s important to recognize the benefits of owning a glass pipe.
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Durability
One of the most appealing benefits of handmade glass pipes is their durability. When you’re in the market for a smoking device, durability is one of your most important considerations because, let’s face it: no one wants to spend their hard-earned cash on products that break after only a few uses.
These days, the best pipes are made with Pyrex, a uniquely durable borosilicate glass that acts as a shock absorber to prevent chips, cracks, or breakage. This means that your homemade glass pipe will be able to survive dings, scratches, and drops with no problem.
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Visual Appeal
There is something to be said for the appeal of a handmade glass pipe. With so many types to choose from, the options are virtually limitless. When choosing your materials and designs, you can go with simple straight tubes or shoot for hand-blown works of art that will look great and function well.
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Portability
Unlike bongs, handmade glass pipes tend to be small and easy to carry around. With most options weighing only a few ounces, most smokers can enjoy their favorite strains on the go with ease.
How to Make Your Own Glass Pipe: What You’ll Need
Before you get started blowing your own glass pipe, you’ll need a few essential materials to get things moving:
- Propane & Oxygen Hose
- Bench Torch
- Oxygen & Propane Regulator
- Safety Glasses (Didiymium)
- Flashback Arrestor
- Push Tool
- High Heat Pad
- Locking Claw Grabbers
- Glass Cutter
- Kevlar Sleeve
- Tungsten Pick
- Glasswork Tweezer Pack
- Graphite Rod Pack & Reamers
- Assortment of Boroscilate Glass Rods
These are the basic materials that most beginners will need to blow their own glass pipes. Advanced materials will include a kiln, propane heater, and an assortment of metal rods. All of these materials can be purchased individually or as kits at local craft shops or from online retailers such as Purrsmoking.com.
How to Blow Your Own Glass: Step By Step Guide
Once you have all of your materials in hand and have made sure that you have a well-ventilated, smoke-free environment to work in, it’s time to get started. The best advice for beginning glassblowers is to practice on some scrap pieces of glass before getting started with your masterpiece so you know what it takes and can be prepared for any mishaps that may occur along the way.
Step 1 – Preparation & Safety
The most essential step in glassblowing is prepping for safety. Wear protective clothing such as Kevlar sleeves, safety glasses with didymium lenses, heavy-duty gloves, closed-toed shoes, and a dust mask to block out the particles you may kick up while working with glass.
Additionally, organize your workspace so that only the items you need are within reach.
Step 2 – Attach Glass Rods to Metal Dowels
The easiest way to attach your glass rods is by using graphite reamers. First, grind down long pieces of two different colored borosilicate rods until they are flat on one side and fit into each other perfectly so that you are ready to go.
Next, you will need to secure them in place by attaching them to two metal rods with graphite reamers. Reamers are small pieces of stainless steel that look like tubes and come in sets of three or four. You can use one metal rod as the base where you will attach your glass rod onto it using the reamers.
Step 3 – Combine & Melt Glass to Make Pipes
Once your rods are attached to reamers, you can begin the process of heating the glass to make it pliable enough to manipulate into a shape that you can use as a pipe.
When doing so, do not hold the metal rod as it will burn your hand. Instead, hold the glass rods by their reamers and slowly rotate them over a flame.
As they become hotter, you can begin to stretch and pull them apart from each other. Once the ends of the rods have melted together enough that they cannot be pulled apart, you can begin to heat the middle of the rods and form a circular shape.
The glass will become pliable enough that you should be able to slowly twist it into whatever desired shape you want without cracking or shattering it. If your piece does crack while molding it, simply reheat it and continue working.
Be sure to blow through the creation to create a pathway for smoke to travel from the bowl to the mouthpiece. Once you get to this point, it’s time to judge if your piece is long enough for you. If it feels too short, then begin reheating the glass and extending its length by adding more rods or cones of glass on top of each other.
Step 4 – Add Details to Your Glass Pipes
Your glass pipe is basically finished at this point, but it might need some added details, such as a carburetor. To add this, you can heat the end of your pipe and either twist it open with pliers while still hot, put a hole in it while it’s still warm, or poke at it with a metal pick while hot to make your desired holes.
Make Beautiful Glass Pipes
Making your own glass pipes out of borosilicate rods is a great way to express your creativity and add personal uniqueness to something you enjoy using. By following the steps above, you can start making your own handmade glass pipes that will make cannabis consumption fun and exciting.
