How Bongs Are Made
Bongs, also known as water pipes, are made in various ways. Some are simple, and others are more complex. But they all have one common goal: to deliver a smooth, flavorful hit. Nowadays, the art form and intricacies of glass bong making are becoming more appreciated, with the question often arising; how are glass bongs made? In this blog post, we'll look at how bongs are made and some of the different methods used. Stay tuned for more bong and water pipe education!
What's the Best Material for Making Bongs?
Although glass is the most popular choice for bongs, other materials that bongs can be made from include acrylic, glass, ceramic, or silicone. The reason glass is the most common is its superior performance, offering clean, pure smoke. And it's not just any glass that bongs are made from. The glass is a type known as borosilicate glass, which contains boron trioxide.
The choice of glass is important as it provides a far lower coefficient for thermal expansion, which – unlike standard glass – doesn't crack as easily with heat. This is grade A of glass quality and ideal for exposure to varying temperatures due to its durability.
What's the Anatomy of a Bong?
The most basic bong consists of a chamber for water, a bowl for tobacco or herbs, and a stem that carries the smoke from the bowl to the chamber. The smoker inhales smoke from the chamber through a mouthpiece, where the smoke is filtered through the water before exhaling. This cooling and filtering process results in a smoother smoking experience. Some of the bongs and water pipes on the market even allow you to add ice, which further increases the smoothness of your smoke.
How Glass Bongs Are Made
Glass work has been around for a long time. Although always a respected trade, it's now a booming industry due to demand.
So how exactly do these master glass workers craft bongs? It turns out that how bongs are made from glass is a four-step process. (But please – don't try this at home!)
How Bongs are Made: Step 1 – The Water Chamber
Glass workers begin with a pre-made glass tube which they place on a lathe. Once the glass tube is set, the tube is flared on one end. The glassworker then gathers glass to enclose the beaker bottom base. All the while, the glass must be kept turning to keep it symmetrical. This section will then have a hole added for the downstem to fit into.
How Bongs are Made: Step 2 – Crafting the Neck
The section above the water chamber is then turned into a larger cylinder with further heat applied. This provides a neck to the water chamber. This section will be heated and turned continuously until it is a uniform size ideal for the size of the glass chamber.
How Bongs are Made: Step 3 – Creating the Mouthpiece
As the glassblower crafts the neck upwards, they will create the mouthpiece positioned at the top. Making the perfect mouthpiece requires further turning, as the glass is shaped and smoothed with no sharp edges – creating an ergonomic design.
How Bongs are Made: Step 4 – The Downstem and the Bowl
Once the first three steps are complete, the main component of the bong is made. Next comes the removable pieces – the downstem and bowl. These are crafted by further heating and molding of the glass tubing. There are many tools that a glassblower may use to create the perfect bong accessories, which help to create intricate pieces for superior use.
Glass Bongs and Water Pipes from Thick Ass Glass
When creating glass bongs and water pipes – quality is vital. At Thick Ass Glass, we offer a superior selection of bongs made from thick glass, offering you an unparalleled smoking experience. Each bong is designed to provide an extremely clean drag, giving you a full-flavored hit every time.
But other than ensuring that your smoking experience is always the best, at Thick Ass Glass, we understand the need for variety. Perhaps you're looking for a glass bong that's big enough to provide the hit you're looking for? Or maybe you're shopping by budget, or you want a smaller bong that's easier to take out with you to friends?
Whatever you're looking for, we have a large selection of quality glass bongs. So why not check out our bestsellers for inspiration?