III.

Bongs and Hookahs Made From

Acrylic Tubing and Plexiglas S3

Ba<"c Acrylic Bong 56

Introduction 8

Getting Started 10

I. Bongs and Pipes From Materials

Found Around the House 13

Bc\'erage BOllie Bong 14

Stcamroller 16

Tum-Pipe 19

Cantaloupe Bong 20

Simplc Apple P1PCS 23

Elaborate Apple Pipe 24

Aluminum Can Pipe 21

II. Bongs, Pipes, and Hookahs From

Common Hardware Store Items 29

Four Pipes 30

Basic PlpC Bong 35

Plunger Bong 36

Bucket Bong 38

Waterfall Bong 41

Dryer Hose Suction Bong 42

One-Person Beverage Bottle Hookah 45

Pour-Person Beverage Bottle Hookah 47

Pistol-Gnp Bong S9

Acrylic Hookcth 60

Horizontal Hookah 62

Dual-Chamber Bong 65

Hybrid 61

andem Bong 70

Umbilical Bong 13

Acrylic Steamroller 76

IV. Getting Creative 79

Honey-Bear Bong 80

Rubber Duck Hookah 82

Snow Globe Bong 805

Coconut Bong 86

Spyglas~ Bong 89

Teapot Bong 90

Book Slash-Box 92

Book Hookah 905

V From the Past to the Present 96

Bamboo Bong. or Vietnamese TIll/or Lao Pipe 98

Vaporizer 101

Glossary 104

Any-Bottle Hookah Attachment 48

Frozcn Hookah SO

Index 106

INTRODUCTION

Despite the protestations of his body, man has long sought

pleasure through the smoking of various plants and herbs. In
an effort to increase his pleasure, he has also sought ways
to increase the volume of smoke he may consume, while
at the same time decreasing, through cooling and filtration,
the discomforts associated with smoking. One such means
is the use of a device commonly referred to as a bong.
Bongs have been around for ages, but it wasn't until the late
'60s and early '70s that they were introduced to Western cul
ture, by soldiers who had either seen or used similar devices
while serving in Vietnam, There, simple pipes made from a
section of bamboo, with a wooden bowl and stem and con
taining a small amount of water to cool and filter the smoke,
are used for smoking raw tobacco, They are known as thuoc
lao (pronounced "took-Iau") pipes. The name bhang comes

from the Thai language, and the word "bong" first appeared
in Webster's dictionary in 1972. While the use of simple
wooden water pipes for smoking tobacco is still widespread
throughout Southeast Asia, modern bongs have evolved into
a high-tech art form.

odern bongs can be rather elaborate In

their construclJon. but most bongs are still
usually relatively simple They will normally
feature a small bowl attached to a stem.
which IS inserted Into a cylinder that IS
usually partially filled With water. The bowl
holds the matenal that is to be smoked
and Will o11en hold only as much material
as may be burned and Inhaled in one deep
breath The stem connects the bowl to the
cylinder, which wtll always have at least one
open end from which to inhale the smoke,

through the water. The remalnll1g space

\'/Ithln the cyllnder allows for the expansion
or the smoke Once the bong is filled With
smoke. the carb IS released and the smoke
is IIlhaled.

A bong may also have a hole on the side of

the chamber. above the level at the 'Nater.
which is referred to as the carb-a term
hat is likely derived from the word car
retor. The use of a carb makes It easier
o clear the chamber once II IS filled With
smok.e. Some bongs may not have a carb
hole, but rather an easily removable bowl
insulated In some way to prevent burning
one's fingers-which allows the chamber
to be cleared more easily as well. Hookahs
ay or may not have any sort of carb at
all Acarb IS not essential. It simply makes
clearing the chamber of smoke Quicker
and easier
Using a bong IS qUite easy. First lhat which
IS gOing to be smaked IS placed In the bowl.
lhen the mouth IS placed over the open end
of the bong, and a finger is placed over the
carb hole. Smoke IS drawn Into the bong as
the contents of the bowl are burned. The
smoke IS cooled and filtered as it passes

I)

GETTING STARTED
The beauty oi bongs is that lMy are such
Simple devices, they can be made from
almost anything. Some baSIL tools are
reqUired, but no special skills are neces
sary This boo~ shows you how to make a
variety of bongs It also covers hookahs.
which are similar to bongs but have a
length of hose through which the smoke IS
mhaled. as well as a few pipes The projects
contained herein range irom Simple to
elaborate, and use materials that may
either be found around the house or easily
obtained Some are made entirely from
items that can be found In the plumbing
and lighting sectIOns of your local hardware
store, while others also reqUire acryl!
lublng and Plexiglas. which can be found
al plastics speCially stores. Some are
Intended to worll in a pillch and then be
discarded after they have been used, while
others are meant to last and even to be
qUite attractive
One needn't be an expellenced craftsperson
to create completely functional smoking
devices The projects in thiS book are
deSigned so tIlat ellen If you're a nOVice, you
WIll be able to bUild something thal cOllld
not only pass for store-bought. but will
likely Impress your Irlends as well Decidlllg
which project to make will be less a matter
01 skilileve!. and more a matter of ambition
and availability of supplies

10

~~:

BONG CAPACITY

~-r-

Tile projects In thiS book are designed to

yIeld bongs, pipes, and hookalls oj a given
size Keep In rnml1 thai these are slmpl
gUidelines Feel free to make yours larger 01
smaller, if ~ou like. Before domg so, however,
It may be useful to know how much smoke
your lungs can hold and how to delermlfle
the volume of a bong or cylinder. Also It IS
Important 10 remember that a bong shoUld
not be so tall that you cannol reach the
bowl to light it While yovr mouth IS oller
the opening; olherwlse you will need to have
someone else light It fOI ~ou
Determining the volume 01 acylinder IS quite
Simple. Flfsl. multiply lhe square of its radius
(the radiUS IS half Its diameter) by pi (3 14),

then mulliply tile resurt by Its heigh I To

put It another way, radiUS x radius x DI x

helght~ volume Or, v=To'r1h,

For example:

A piece of acrylic tubmg that is 18 long

and has an inSide diameter (0) of IV,

(175) or a radius of y.' (875), Will halle

a volume of about 43 cubic Inches, because
875 x .875 x 3.14 x Ig = 4327
To convert ..ullie '~cn~s 10 ~ubic Cenh
munply Inches by 16,39, So
4121,1( 1&,39 709 20. and 70920 cUbic
cenllmelers IS equal 10 aootil 11 Iilers
l]lel~[S,

i
H

0-L

3C,f'j(-J

C;.,'P~\lny

11

BEVERAGE

BOTTLE BONG

Malerials and Supplies

One pla.aic pell
One small pla~li\.- bOllle. ,uch a, a
16-ounce or I-liter beverage bOll Ie
A lumwum foil

Tools
X-Acto "nife. or 'Imilar 5harp.
POIn[) In,Lrument
Directions
Relllove the Loments of the pen
'0 that all thal rcmalns IS the empt)
pla,tic tube.
Place either tile tip 01 your finger
or Ihe cap tram the bottle again"t the
eud oi the pen tube. and wrap a strip
of fnil a lew inc he.'> WIde arounu
the area where the tIl () meet. lhen
squccze the fOil '0 that 1\ i, "nllg
again,t them. Then rell10\'C yOUr
finger or Ihe bottle cap to reveal a
bowl-,haped pie.ce of foi J.

II

l~

Take a ,quare of f(1I1 a <,ouple ot

Idyer' lhle" anu work it IJlto the
OIl I-~hapcd piea of foLl. then folu
lhe. l'uge, down around the oLlt'lue
of the howl. Poke a few 'mall hole~
in the bo[(om of the bow I to ":l"eate
a ~ereen, then ,Hde the tin-Ioil hO\1 I
up the pla~til pcn tllbe a lillie to
a \-old mel LlDg It whe n the bOIl I i~
iII. ThIS ma) ta"e ,nme practice.
U..ing lhe J."nifc:. CUI two hole." on
oppo'lle 'Ides of the plaStiC bottle:.
Mal-.e ~ure Ihat the hole, ale as
'monlh and cln:uJar as pO"lblc. lInd
that at lea."L onc of the hole~ I ' Ju .. t
,Ii~htly ,malkr than the OltL."ldc
ulameler of the pen Luhe so that It lit,
Lightl) This will help prevent Jeab.
Inser! the other ent! l.\f the ["lcn tube
into the hole in the plastiC bOltle.
angling it t()ward the bottom Add
enough water '0 that the bottom of
the stem i~ ~uhmcrl!-ed. but n(ll '0
much that there I' a risk of Iyater
kaking all! of ellher the bowl or the
Imlc through which the ,tell1 pass6.

15

STEAMROLLER

Materials and Suppl ics

ne cardboard paper-lll\\eltub

CUI a SIrlp of aluminum foil appro\

il1lalely 3" Wide anti 12" Inng. Wrap

lhe alUnlllWm 1011 around lhc wbe.

Ihe hole. Gently

~ofllplcldy covering

Aluminul1l foil

Tool.,
X-Acto knife. m similar ,harp.
oimv In"trllmenl

work the foil into lbe hole [0 create OJ

nO\\'\' This 1I1a~' lake some pracllce.
d\ the aluminum foil can le,lr easliy.

Using lhe knife. carefllll:- poke a

few small hole\ in lht' bowl to crc
ale a screen.

Oireeljon~

IIl

Using the knife. cul a I" hole a few

inches from one end of Ihe p'lpcr

Cover the end oi tbe wbe with

unc hand when 11gh' i njl the n(\\\ \.
Remove hand \'hen lhe lubc i" full

towel tube.

tn rele:1se the smoke.

16

17

!/I

II

TAM-PIPE
Matrrial~ and Supplje~

II;

One tampon \,ilh a can.lhoarJ

npplicator

Aluminum foil

II
I

Tools

Cut a ,>trip of aluminum toil approJ.

ill1ntel~ I'~" \\ide and 6" long. Wrap
the aluminum f()iJ around the aIJpli
calor, completely ('n\t~ri ng lh~ bole.
Gently lVork the roil inw (h~ hole 10
erc:utc a bowl Thi' ma~ take ,orne
rrael1c~. a, the aluminum foil can
tear ca\i I)

X-Aero knite. or similar sharp.

pointy 1fI,trumcnt

III

III

DirecfiolJs

III

Remove the tampon frullllhe appli

cator and dIscard

U~ing Ihe knife. larefully poke a

few "mall hole' In the buwl to c:rc
ale ,I scree".

Plaee :1 fUlger o\er Ihe ~nd III the

ampon \\ hen lighting the btl\\ I
R,mo\, ringer III relea,c: the 'll1okt~.

Using the knife. LUI a I,," hole

appro:-;imately I,~" (mm the end or
Ihe larger half of Ihe applicator.

II

I'

II
Ii

,1

I
I

18

IY

CANTALOUPE BONG

Ml.lterial~

and Supplies

One cilnrl11l1Upe
IIHlthpl~k,

Tools
K iliff

kc piel-... chop"tlck. or '1111l1ar tool

Directions

,'hapcd howl ju~r bclo1\ the rim,

U"ing an Ice pl~k, ~hopsti~k, or
~jmilar tool. po\..e a holc frolll (he
bOltolll oj the howl through to
rhe in~ide of rhe call1aloupe. '\ng.le
the hole toward th~ botlllll1 Dr the
ca\ it).
With the I-nlfe. cUI IWO holc~
about I,~" 111 ulameter In the lid ()t
the ~antaloupe-l)ne to\\ ard Lhe lront
(clo,er to the blm I) for the carbo
and one toward the bal'k r<lr rhe
mouthpiece.

I ay the cantaloupe 011 Il~ ~Jde ilnd

l'Uloff the top one-thinJ of the rndon.
JU'L abo~e the dimple un olle end.
Scoop out the ,ecd, from lhe i Ilsiue

Before u,ing, fill the lantaloupe

with \\ilter to ju;,t below the leyel of
the bowl. ancl replace the lid In,ert
toothpick, to hold the lid in place,

of the c:lllta[oupe and d','card them,

In OItC end of the larger pan of

the cantaloupe. emvc H ,mall l'one

20

2J

SIMPLE APPLE PIPES

Simple Apple Pipe #1

Simple Apple Pipe #2

Material, and Supplies

Materials and Supplies

One apple

One apple

Tools

rools

Pla:-.tK pen

Small knife
Directions

Oirectiotls

U'JIlg the knl1e. cane a cone

shaped bowl 1rom the top of the

J'u,h the pen through the: apple '0

there I' a hole trom olle ,id", of
the apple to rhe other The core wll!
he tough [0 penetrale. '0 you milY
ave to push the pen in from each
~iuc toward the cort" fhe vpcning on
one 'ide will ,erve- n.' a mOlltllplecc.
the other Ivill ,crve as a carh .

apple to the center of the core.

Carve another ,mall hole til one
side of the apple that ju:-.t barely con
Ilect~ With the bowl.

To create the bowl. remove the

apple ,tem allli pusll lhe tIp of
the pen InTO the inuentatlon in the
lOp of the apple toward the cnrc "0
thar it connects II IIh the fir'l hole,
being careful not to pu,h the pen (lut
[hI: bo[[om of the apple.

22

23

II

eurbo,vrfe, APPLE PI PE
Materials and Supplies
One apple

Pla,tl\: pen
Aluminum foil
Tool~

Knife

Direction,
USing the knIfe, l:aT\l" a cone
,haped bo\\ I f rom I he top of rhe
apple to the cenrer ()f lhe C(lre,

Pu"h thl" pen through the april.'

so there i, a hole from one ,ide (If
tbe appk to the other. The .;o!'C will
he lough to penetrare. so you Inay
have to pll~h the pen in trom each
,ide fOl\anJ the core.

24

Remove the

l'OO[Cllt,

of Ihe pen

lhat all rhat remain, i, an empt"

pla'tic tube. Insert the pen rllb.:
into \lne of thl" hole, in the ;.Ide of
Th.: apple. TIll!. 11'111 be uo,;cd for a
mouthpiece. The orher end of thl"
halc. in Ill(' other side of lhe apple,
I\il! serve a, a carbo
,0

Make ~ small ,quare of aluminum

foil that is it couple of layer, Ihid
L.,ing the knife. poke a few small
holes in the center of rhe foil squllre.
Place one finger In Ihe center of the
'quare. and form the foil around it to
create ij bowl In~err the.: f01l lnrn the
hole in the top of the npple. foldIng
The edges 01 the fOil c!0\\1I ,Iround
the uUI"ide of the apnle,

ALUMINUM CAN PIPE

Material~

and Supplies

Onc empty aluminum c:an

Tools
Knife

Direclions

Remove the tab trom lhe lOp of

the can.
ake a deep indt'ntation III Iht' 'Ide
of the c:~n 10 creatl' a b(1\\ 1. ll'lng
the knife: pnh.e <J few ,l11all hok" III
the indentati!ln to create: a ,creen
Cut a Il<lic in the '>Ide of the cun lor
it carbo

!I

.1

d
It

26

27

0Cl

FOUR PIPES

Pipe #1

Pipe #2

Material~ and Supplie~

l\Ialeriah and Supplies

or
Ilouk

)IlC 'i"
(11\

Ont' 3" x

1/.;"

(lJt

l,.~"

1\-1 bra" nipplt'

Ont' '/,;" F x ~;''' r 90-degree-angle

hra" pipe dbow
One J..; ' F bra" pjranm! knob with
a holL for a beaded cham
Screen

(all

aerator ~C'n:en CUI

to

fi\

the bo\\ I. or an appropn.lld) ~Izc:d

:-.crecn pur(ha:-.eu from a ,mokc

,!loP)
Directions

,dl

or
11lluk

OIlC ~t,"

f- X"," t-I bra',

I.,~"

f- X'.',' M

hras~

Ont: ~~" F x II,,' 1\\ 90-degree-anglc

bra'" ripe elbo\\
One '.\.." Flirt-h., coupkr
One ',,," F hras, pyramid knob with
a hoh: for a beaded cha1l1
One 3" x

'f,'

M bra" nipple

Sen'en (an aerator ~creen CUI 10 fil

lht' hOWl. or lin appropnalt'l) "zed
,ercen purLha,,",d frpm a 'Illoke
~hopJ

Thread the ,'ut Ilovk and Ihe fllp

Directions
pIe Ill\() ellher ~jue of the elbo\\,
and thread the p) ramid knob OnTO Thread the nil 1101Lk InlO th('
lhe other end of the nipple. IIl~Cl1lhe female ,.,Idc ot Ihe l)O-Jcgr~e-anglc
,eree!l Into lht' bo\\ I.
elbol\'. and thread the male: ,>Iue "i
the 90-c!t'g,n::e-,ll1gh: elbow into one
end of Iht coupler. Thread Ihe p}rn
1l1ld knoo OIllU lht' 11 ipple, and
thread the nipple into Ihe otha end
oj the cOl/pier, lmert Ihe scrten in\ll
the bowl.

31
3U

Pipe #3

Pipe #4

Materials and Supplie,

I\Iatl'rials and Supplies

One 3/," or
nome

1'0"

Fx

Iv!

bra~~ LlI{

90-J~grce-angJc

F bl'3~~ barrel Lnupler

One W' J-

One :,," or

I,." F x

!Ii." Ivl hra'.,

cut nn71Je

One V," F x r,," M

brass nozzle
g"

I~~"

hr~s

pyramId knob with

a hole for a beadC'd l'hain

One 3" x Jh." M bra,;, nJppk
Screen (an aerator ,cr~en ellt ll.J
fil the bowl. or an apprnpriat<:l)
.,iLed screen purcha ,cd from "

,mo"e ,bop}

One '....' F x
hras~ Pl[W

I.. ~' 1\1 lJO-degrce-allglc

elhow

One Is' F x 1/,"

hra,~

r- 45-Jcgree-angle

pipe elbow

hra,~ pyramid knoh \\'1111

a hok for a bcadtJ t~baJn

Onl' 1.'"" I-'

Oll~ J"

x>'"

M bra" Illpple

S,reen (an aerator ,creen cut to fit

the bOIl I. 01 an appropriately stuLl
serccn plil'l:ha'L'Ll from a smnkc
shopi

Directions
Thread the Clil nozLIe Into the
female side of Ihe angkJ nt\ule and
thread the barrel coupler onlo the
male sille. Thread tbe pyramid !..nob
onto lbe I1Ipple, and thread the nip
ple inlo the toupkr. [nsert the q:rccn
ioto the bOWl

Direction,

Thrcall the cut

1J(1111c

Inlo

tht'

~ilk

of lhe 90-Jcgr<"t'-angle
elbo\\'. and rhreaJ the male siJe of
lhe 90-tkgret'-anglc elbow inw une
end Ilt Jhe 4:i-ut'grL'c-anglc clboll.
fem,tlc

ThIem.! the pyrilllllll knob 11l11O the

lppk :JIld lhread lhe nipple inl\l
the otht'r cnu 01 the 45-dcgree-dngle
elb~)\\<. Insert the screen inlo the
bOld.

32
.B

93~ic PIPE BONG

Sand the em]:';

III'

lhe pipe "mooth

Materials and Supplie<;

One. IS' length
pye pipe

or

I';," 10 }\B~ or

I."" I- bra ''> hi "e harb

One y.' H13 x

to-pipe aJaptcr

In'>ct1 the ho'\: b:lrb, which I" the

bowl. Il1tO the villyl hm,e, IdllCh \"
the ,tc'm, In,erl the hose in1lJ the
pipe. ang.JlIlg the hose tll'l ani the bot
tom of the. pipe. In,crl the
reen

,I

II1tl' the bOI' I.

One 5" kngth oj I,j" ID

llexlble vinyl hose

X '/,"

Ol)

Place the pIpe cap on the hottum

end

Ill'

lhe pipe

Screen (an aerator screen ellr to fit

the bowl. mall appropflalely ,i7CU
screen purcha~cJ from .. ,mokc
shop)
ne I 'n' pIpe ca

Tools
Drill and y," drill bIt

Sandpaper

)l1li

Directions

Drill two v." hole, on 0PP(1o;IK'

,ide~ of lhe pip.;: appnnll11:ltcl) ()"
up from the bottom "nt!. ('\nghng.
one of the holes uownward for the
'tI~m amI howl

ma" be dc,ir:lhk. hUI

i. nOl nece""ary. Drilling It ,hallc)\\
starter hole \\'Ith a '>mullcr Jrill hit
first will make drilling. at ;111 <lI\gli: J
lillIe easier.)

J~

3S

PLUNGER BONG

MalE,'I'lal" and Supplie~

One 24" length or I !,j" ID ABS
PVC PlJx

llr

One I'~" \I)e-JOInt

T\\'(j 1!t1" pipe caps

On<' 1.:." HB x j~" F hra" ho,e harb

to-pipe mJuptcr
One :-I" length

ot

~,," ID x',," 0

t1exihle \'Inyl hObc

Screen (an aera{nr 'CTeen c'UI to fit
the how/. 01 an apprOpriiJfel) sized
~(reCIJ plll'chil,ed ('rom a ,mob.c
,hop)

Tools

one of the pIpe cap, ,nugl} Of) till'

,hor! piece of pipe on the bottom Ilj
tht: \\ ye-.I0lnl.
Drill a ,~.,' hole in (he center ot thl
other pipe eap,
In~ert the ho'e b:lJb. which I '
the bowl. inro (he hO~t: which I~ the
stcm. In,t:rt fhe screen Into the bOIl I
In,cJ'l the ho,c Into tht' llllle in the
cap. and place the crlp on the ~hor1
piece '.If pipe 011 tile ,Ide l.t tlie
\\) {--Jotnt Do not put lhe cap on w
righll) Ihm J( l ' dl!ficllJr ttl remo\c.
Till < ho!!~ c!oew'( h(J\'(:' (/
lI.\<'. rt'fIll!\ I:' 111"
cop ,\,1/11 (I1t bml'/ (flld S[('/Ii 0111','
Note:

rex II 1,,1' ('(/1'11 If 1

(he dW/IIhel is .Ii/led

10

relt>o II'

I/It'

.IIIIUkc

Drill (lnd W' Jnll hit

Sanupaper

Directions
Cut the pIpe Inl!l lwo pieces ~"
long. and one piece 20" long,
Sand the end,,> 01 the piece, of pipe
'l11ooth.

Insert fhe lung piece or pipe into

the top ot the II) "-Joint. ItheM the
(wo :!" piece' snugl) into the hO[lol1l
and ,ide of the wye-Iolnl. and place

36

37

BUCKET BONG

Direction~

Materials and Supplies

One large

plil~lil

DonIe, <;lIeh a, a

l-Itrer bc\crage Donie

On.:

)~"

or \.'" F

X ~i<" [\] bra',~ (lit

nOZlh:

Snec:n (lin a.:rator ~(Teen cut to fit

the b01\ 1. (Ir an appropnatt'l) slled
,<:reen purcha~ed from a ~mllkt'
~h(lr)

One large hu.:J...et or other container'

filled

I\lth Willer

Tools
X-A.. . hl knife. or "llTlIlar
pOinty In,trumenl

~hart-',

Drill ilnd "'/ unll bIt <OPlI011<l11

Cut off the bot!om of the bOllle

\\Jth the knile
Dnll or CUI a';," hole in the belCf
Jge boltle (,Jr,

Thread the <.lIt nOLlle IntO Ihe h(\k

on the outside of the ~ap, <Ind "crell
the cap onto the hut!le. In,cn the
,creen Into the bowl.
N!l1(': To iI,H', 1I1II1l'''',\{' Ih!! houf<' 1If!
/() til 11('(k iii H(/I!!r, Be ,'lin In fllad
111 .. hml'! <Iller Ihe 111111/e 1/lI~ hel'lI
Im/Ilenei/. 1'1,"/1, I"hile frglili/ig lilt'
howl, 1/01"1.1' fili Ihe hOIl/e IIll1il
Ihe hmlrJJ/l " .iIl,\'1 bf//I\" Ihe \/1/
)(/('t' of Ih., lI'ar<'T~ Hold Thf !.>ollg
III plol'!' II'llIh' reI/lOPing Ihl! C(lI'
Plflll ill(' bOllg dOll'll IU releuse I!I('
III/oke Through Ihl.' /'/.'l'cragl' !>Ol/Ii
(Jf!(.'l/lnf;

31}

WATERfALL BONG

'1

II[

Materials and Supplies

II

One large pla'ilil' boule. such as a

2-lller beverage boille

II

One I" rubber sin" siopper

One l.!ti" or !tl" F x

'l~"

M brass l'ut

nOLLIe

CUI II I" hole Ileal' Ihe hottom of

lhe bottle lind II1~erl lhe rubber stop
per. (CUlling the hole <\, srnolllh and
round as po"slhh: Will help prevent

leakage.)

Tools

Thread the cut nOZlle into the hole

on lhe \Iut",dc of the cap. Insert the
"creell Inlo thc ho\\ I.
'Yult'.
il"

III'

X-Acto knife. or sImilar sharp.

POIIH)'

~ II

instrument

Drill and So drill bit copunnal)

iI

'i,"

CUI a
hole in the lid of
he heverage bottle.

Dnll or

Screen (an aeratur screen CUI to fil

the bowl. or an appr\lprlatel) siled
screen purchased from a smok~
shop)

Directions

'](1 1I1'1!.

nl:'ck Huh

jill rhe hOflle 1/1'

\Iilla.

awl

SOTl<

10

Ihl:'

id OlJlu lilt' !Jollte. Load Ihe bOll,r

Ihell plIlI 011/ tile Hoppa (JIlll light
Ihe howl us Ihl! 1\'(/ll.'r drain., Oil!.
A., Ihl.' 'l'(I(cr drum.1 01/1. il \vifl drt/\,.
.\IIlOAt' 11110 I/W bOlllt~. Rom),c Ihe

cap

IIfftr

Ihl!

WOU!I'

Iras drail/ed

OIl!

10 re!ea,\(' Ihe \/1l11ke

II Iii
III

III
\'

40

41

DRYER HOSE SUCTION BONG

M3tcrial~

and

ends of lhe dr> er hO'ie. and secure

hem \VJih the hlbC L'lamps_

Supplic~

Onc 12" IcJl~th 01 I" x

(J"

pille

Thread the nipple

the PICCC of wood.

wood. nr similar
Onc 12" Icn,l!lh of -+" dlHmetcr
Jll'~jhle pla.qjl

dryer

nut ,mIn [he (ul no/zle ll!l [IK' Ilhlt!.:

P\'C' threaded cap

Olle 'k" or V'

!lo/lle
OI1C ',~"

I/~"

M hras, Cllt

thin bra~5 he.\ /lUI.

If

II]

of the car It ne.:es,ar) to ,('cure tht'

Jlo/zle to the cap..ind thread lhe lei!,
lInlO the nipple. (nsert the ~Lr<:<'n
into the bowl.

One Ii," x 2" PVC nipple

J.)"

(he hllk

OrJil a :<'i" h..le in thc threaded

cap.Illd rhl'cad the cut no/Z1c 1l1ltl
the ollhlde of the Clp. Thread a 11(\

110<'<:

Two 4" adJustablc ho'c elalllp>

One

Illto

needed

Screen (an aerator screen CUI 1O 1"1\

the howl. Of all appropnatd: sized

screen rlUfcha,ed frol1l a ,make
slHlpJ

Nn/e. Ii) 1I.lf. ("f)/IIpn:.I',1 Ih;' dr,l' I

then lood Ihe bml'!. LlgllI I!I"

Irll:>t!.

hlJlvf wilt/e 111)\1-/.1' exrendilll{ /he

!W.I('. Rel/l(l\'t;' The ('ap. anti rUIII/)I'<",'
IIII! h(J~e 1(1 release 111<' 1'lI!tJ;"e.

1'001.. .
J ig~aw

Onl!. and I.""," boring bit. and

\,.," dnll bit
Directions
CUI two 4" (ircles of \yood with
(he Jigsa\\. and drill a "IIl>" hole In
[he CCnler of onc or the pieee~,

In,crI the pieces of wood

InlO

thc
J3

42

(!}'l.e- !Z!e'WOfI..
BEVERAGE BOTTLE HOOKAH
Materials

/
}

/I II .'
I

~Illd

Supplies

One plastic bOllle. such a~ a 2-l1tel

bc\erage bottle
Approximately l' llf I.~" II) x h" 00
tl~xible vinyl hose
Onc It, HE x 'II" r bra,s ho,c barb
Io-pipe adapter
Screen (an aerator screen Clit to fit
the bow\. or an appropriately '1/C
screen purchased 1rom a smoke
,hop)
Tools

X-Acto knife, or

~imllar

sharp,

POllll} in~trumel1l

Drill and W' drill bit (optionn])

Directions

the outside cJHIllH>ttr of the

avoid leakage.

ho~c

to

Cut or dnll a W' hole in the

bOllle cap

Cut one piece of hose slightly

shorter than the height of Ih.;: bot
tit:. angling the cut at one end. (The
anglc \\ 111 make il easier to i nseIl
the hose laler.) Insert the hose harb.
which is the bowl. into the straight
end Ilf the measured length of hn~e.
\l hlCh i~ the ,rem, dml lI1~crt the
angled end of the hose into the lid
Insert rhe screen into the bowl.
Insert the angled end of the
remaining hose about 112" inro l)f1
Ill'rhe holes In the ~jde of the bailie.
fill [he bottle halt\va) wlrh water,
and screl\' rhe cap ontO the bClllle.

Cut or lIrill two W' holes in the

side of the bottle ncar the neck.
B~ sure to make at least l)nc of the
hoJe~ as smomh and mllnu as p()~
'ihle. amI just slightly smaller than

44
45

~90({'''-!l?e,\~'O"
BEVERAGE BOTTLE HOOKAH
Dircctions

Materials Hnd Supplie<;

One large plastii.' hottle ..,uch a~ a

5-g,1Ilon waler boule

One large cork or ~t(lpper [<-I Led to

iitlhc mouth

oflh~

One W' HB x v,"

DJ'i II a '-;;" hole

In

I he

c(J[k

Of

stopper.

bOltle)

ApproxlDlately 8' of 1:'," ID x

lk"'ble vinyl hose

Drill five I,;." hok~ In Ihe ,ide of

lhe bOllle near Ihe neck.

1/2"

OD

bra" hose harh

to-pIpe adapter
Screen Ian aeralllr 'creen eLlI ill fit
the bowl. or an appn'pnatdy ,ileu
\creen pureha,ed from a <.m"ke
,hop)

Cut one plL:ce (1\ hl"~ ,Ilghll~

,hor1cr Ihan the height of the bOllle.
angling the cut al nne end (The angle
will mak.e It easier to insert the hose
later) Insert the ht"c h'lrl1. whll.:h I '
the bowl. IIlTu the stnllght end of Ihe
mea'urnl lcnglh of hn'e. which i,
the ,tcm. alld In'en the :1ngled end
III the ho~~ Into the cork or stopper
[n,ert the ,creen Into the bowl

Tools

Cut the remaillllll;' piece ot hose

Drillund ~H drill bn

into tour e4lH11 length,.,. each \\'Ith

one lIngled LInd line '>traight end.
In,cn Ihe .tngled enth' of tht' tOU!
hll~c", annut 'I:''' into four of the holl::
In th" '>,Je of the bottle. Fill the bottle
halfway \\ nh water. LInd Illsert Ihe
cork or stopper wl1h the bo\\'1 and
stem into the m01lth of the hottlt-.

46
47

ANY-BOTTLE

HOOKAH ATTACHMENT
Materials lind Supplies
One rubber ~lOpper. or cork (si7.e
may vary)
Onc 12" piece of 14" OD round
bfa~s tubing
On~ 'A"

COMP x Vi" F brass

compres..,ion nut-to-pipe adapter
Saeen (an aerator ~creen cut to fit
the bowl. or an appropriate I) silt~d
screen pllrchaseJ frolll U ~moke
shop)

One 12" lenglh Ilf '/," ID x '.\" 00

flexible vinyl ho~e

Tools
Drill
Wrench

Directions
Drill two ,,,," hole' in the stop
per by cutting off a 4" length of lh~

bras~ lubmg anJ in5ening it into

the drill and uS1I1g it <IS a bH.

Slide the compres~i()n nut anJ

sleeve onto the end of the remain

I1lg piece of bra~s lubing. and imcrt

tbe rube into the compressIOn fHung
untIl it reache, the end. Tighten th~
compression nut Ollto the cOrllpn:,
,ion filling with the wrench. Illse!'
the screen into (he howl

Inser( the brass lUbing and COI11

pn:ssllJn filting all the way into Olle
ot Ihe hole~ In Ihe larger end of the
stopper. and in,ert the VInyl h,lSc
1I11l) the other hole until it Ju,t cleur,
the other side of rhe ~r()pper.
hl~

auachmelll mil> be

u~ed

\\ jllt

any boule that has an opening In

\\'hich the rubber

will fir SJlugly

48

~topper

or corh

49

FROZEN HOOKAH

Materiab and Supplies

One 3' lenglh of I," "ID x
fle\ibJe ,inY! ho,e

'<," 00

One large drinkIng glass. ,uch a, '

pinl glass
One ~4" HB x I~ II F
to-pipe adaoter

bra~s

h'bc harb

Screen (an aerator screen cut to fjt

the bowl. or an appropnatcly siLed
,ereen pllrcha,eJ from a smoke
shop)

II

50

Directions
Coil the Yin) I hose around lhe
Inside of the drinking glas". le,,\
ing a few Inches of either enJ abo\C
Ihe rim of lhe glas~, One end will be
the mouthpiece. and the other \\ III
be the stem f~)r the howl.
In,ert I he hll'ic barb i nlO onc enu
of lhe ho,e for the b(l\I1. :tnu tl1'iCrl
the screen into the: bUll I.
Fill the gla" about two-third'i flJll
In the freelel
to prepare II tor usc.

nf \\ater. and place il

51

~3

20

(l)

Q.

._a. "

When It comes to CuttlOg, almost anything

that will cut wood will work fine on acrylic
tublOg or Plexiglas. Carpenter"s saws, miter
saws. Jigsaws. Circular saws. and band saws
are just a few options.
When cut1lng thinner material, such as
W -thick sheets of Plexiglas a scoring tool
will also work well.

If these are not available standard drill bits

will work so long as the hole is started With
a smaller dnll bit and enlarged incremen
tally using successively larger bits until the
deSired size is achieved. ThiS method may
sometimes be necessary even when a spe
clahzed billS available, It Is always a goo
Idea to practice cutting and drilling on a
piece of scrap first

Drilling acrylic tublOg or Plexiglas is a lit

You can also find adhesives specifically
tle tougher than cutting it though, Acrylic
formulated for use WIth acrylic tubing and
tublOg and Plexiglas are more brittle than
Plexiglas, which are generally referred 10
wood, and will crack if you don't dnll care
as acrylic cement Acrylic cement usually
fully Drill bits With either a fiO-degree
comes In both regular (thlO) and thick
angled tip or what is referred to as a 'bullet
ened versions A thicker adhesive will be
point" will minimize the fISk of craCking.
easier to use because it IS less likely to
run It IS always best (0 use the appro
priate adhesive whenever possible When

acrylic cement IS not available, plas what the average person will be able to do
tl~ model cement. Silicone caulk, or some In their home or workshop The projects in
epOXies may work In certain Situations. he follOWing sections address thiS problem
Always read and follow the instrucllons on through variOus means
the product package. and expenment on In thiS sectIOn you will find projects tha
s~rap pieces I
range from Simple to elaborate, represent
Il , worth mentioning a pnmary difference 109 lust a few of the possibilities. There are
belween manufactured bongs and bongs an almost infinite number of ways to put
Ou tan make yourself. Most manufactured together afew feet of tUbing, some Plexiglas
bongs are made uSing a process called and maybe a length of flexible VInyl hose
vacuum-forming. In whIch plastic is heated You may be surpflsed by how easy It
and then molded into various shapes uSing Is-once you are familiar wrth the mater:
vacuum pressure. ThiS is what allows the als-to make something that IS both clever
1
stem and bowl to be Inserted Into a bong and unique all on your own These projects
also
serve
as
a
good
rntroduction
to the
at <l~ angle. Vacuum forming reqUIres spe
cial eqUipment, and goes a little beyond world of plasHes.

.1
I

54

55

9Ja~ic ACRYLIC BONG

l\laterials and Supplies

Ont" 12" lengTh ot 2" OD x I~,," ID
,tcrrll" tubIng
One

'I,"

or I,~" F x';;'''

t,,\ hra."

cut

noule
One I,;." .I- x W'M 4S-degree-anglc
br<l" noule
On<:,5" kngth of '-11" ID x
fleXible Vinyl h\.);('

I,:"

OD

Thread Ihe cut noule 11110 the

angled flll2l1t:. and thrcaLl the HlIgkd
!louie inlU the \ In) I ho,c In,nl th.:
1'111) I ho,c thruugh nne of the lroJ,-,~
III rhe out,lue 01 the pipe, all!.!linl:
tht hmc [llilurd the bottom ni rh
pipe. In~ert the ,c n:ell IIlW 'he bUll I.

Place the polyethylene cap (HI iilL'

bot 10m Dfthe acrylic rublng, or ,11I,le h
[he lH.:ryllc rubing to the pIece (It
Ple,ligla:- IVlth acrylic cemen.

Screen (an acrawr \creen ('ut [0 fir

rhe no\\ ,. or an appropriately 'lied
'>creen purcha,eJ from a '11l11!-..C
,h(1p)
One 2" lD polyethylene cap. \)1' one
4" x 4" piece of W'-thick Plcxlgln,
An) lie cemellt. if u~Jng PJe,jgla~

TOOls

Drill and ,..;" drJlI bll (\Iith " 60

degree or bul/elpoint tip)
Sandpaper
Dir~ctions

Drill t\\'O ill" hole, (1j] oppositt'

of the an)'llc tubing apprOli.'
rnalely 4" up trom the bOltOlll end .

~Ide,

Sand rhe enu" of the acrylic tlIbing

>.1110ot h.

56

57

PISTOL-GRIP BONG

Materials and Supplie'>

Directions

One 18" length 01' 1" 00 x l-'~" ID

acrylic tubing

CuI one piece of aeryl Ie lubing

appfl)\imately 14" hlng (overall
length). wuh a ~5-degree-anglt' on
one end. Cut both end" of the remain
ing plcee at ~5 Jegrees. so Ih:H it
has a mean length of about 4".

Acrylil: cement
One 4" x 4" piece PI' ),'h'-thid..
PJe'l:iglas
One W' or
nozzle

~4"

F x '..'i" Ivl brass

Drill ,\,/;''' hole about I" in from

Cllt

m: 4" x '/," M bra..' nipple

the angled end of lhe long piece of

tuhing tor tht' stem and bowl. and
drill a ~1" hok ahout 1" in from one
end 01 the shon piece of tubing for
the carbo

One: s" [D x '11;" 00 rubber

grommet

Sand all end.. of thl; acrylic tubing

slllooth

Screen (an aeratOr screen cUt III lit

Lhe bowl, llr an appropriately :>\7eU

Cement the tll,O cnth of the tublog.

\\'Ith holes in the III wgelher at a right
angle. anJ cementlhe short plt:ce onto
the PIc'(igla, ba.,e.

One lis" F

bras~

coupler

screen purchased from a ,moke

,hop)
Tools

Drill and 0-" drill bll (II ith a nO

degree or bullet-point tip)
Sandpaper

Sll

Thread the cuI noulc InLO the cou

pler. and rhreaJ the coupler onW
rhe nipple. Insert the grommet
into lhe hole in Ihe longer piece of
<lcr) lte tuhing. aml insert the lllp
pie Into the grommet. In,;ert the
~crecl1 Into the bO\1 l.

59

ACRYLIC HOOKAH

-=

=--
MaferiaJ.~ and Supplie'i

Tools

ne 6" length of 2" 00 x I ~'J" ID

ncr) lie rubin!!

One 4" x 4" ple.:e of ~N' thIck

Sandpaper

PIC\igI3~

Directions

AcryliC cement

One 2"

If)

Drill one ~" hole ill the Hlfylk

lubing about IV'dlll\ n Iroll1lltt fup.

pol) ethylene cap

Two ~/," ID x Y,' OD mbber

gromrnel~

Sam1 lhc end, of Ihe aer) Ill' (IIbltlg

and ,Iliac h II to the piC,, 01

Plc",gJas "Jlh a,:rylic cement

'Illl)()! h

ne ';." or
no/ Lie
lie J,,\<"

1.\"

F X':,' M bra,s

bras~

Ctll

coupler

One 5" x IN' l\f bra" nipple

Screen (an aerator '<.Teen elll 10 fir

rile bowl. or an appropriately ",zed
,crecil purcha,;ecllrollJ a '111\1).:e
,110P)
Onc 12" lenglh of ~" ID x ~.~" OD

flex Ible \ in) 1 bn,~

One 0." J" bra" pyramid knob \\irh a

hole tor II beaded ,hain (oplil)nal l

Drill 11\0 ~,,, hole, in the rJUI .I

elh) lene cap. and in,en the ruhher

groll1ll1ets lIltn thl' holes.

Thread the L'UI nO/LIe Illtn the

coupler. lhread the coupler OIlllJ Ihe

nIpple. alld IIisert rhe Ilippk 11*1

one of the grommeh In rhe pol:

elhylene cap. In,crr the ,,1'('1:'11 JIIIO

rhe ho\d.

In,err olle end of the \inyl hIJ\l:

abo\!t I~" Illto thL' other Qr,Hll
met. anti lhrcatl lhe pyrall1lu' kIwI<
(If lI,ing I onto the other c'nd 01 Ihe
ho;;c .
Fililhe aCfv!Jc tub,' two-third, 11111
with waler before pbcil1g rhe C,IP
0'1

60

the tube.

61

HORIZONTAL HOOKAH

I" bonng bil

Materials and Supplies

One 6" length of 2" OD x I'~" lD
acrylic tubing
nIl)

Sandpaper

Directions

3" x 3" piece" oJ W'-/hlck

PIt~xJgla~

Drill three I~" holes 'paL'ed .1I'<'ul

11-:)" apart alnng one ~ide at (he
tier) lie tubing

Acrylic cement
rwn .~,~" JD x W' Of) rubber
grommers

One ~" or

I,,"

F xl;"" 1'v1 bra.'s

DnlJ a l" hole in rhe center

oj the pieces ot Plex Igla\.
CUT

bra,,~

I'oupler

nl: 2" x \1,:" M brass nipple

Screcn (an aerator screen cut t(l fir

lhe bowl. or an appropriately Sl/Cd
screen pu[cbtlsed from a smoke
shop)
ne ) ~" length of

1,.1"

m x 3,,"

In'en lh~ rllbb~r grommet> into llh~

bole" ill the 11cryJil' lubjn~ lhat

{II'O

are the furthest apart.

Of)

flexible Vinyl ho"e

One y,," F brass pyramid hllllb wiTh

holc for a beaded ch:lln (optl()nal)
One 1" rubber 'topper

Tools
DriI I and 'h" dri 11 bit Iwith" 60
degree or bullet-point lip)

tI

ThreaJ the CUl nuule into the

cOllpler. [hrend the cnupkr ,'nl(1
thc' nipple. ,tnd jll~ert the Ilippk
into one uf the l!rommets In the
acrylic lube. In,ert the 'creen JilIn
th~ b(m!.

]nserr oue end of the I ill) J !to'l'

abour i:''!'' i nro the other 2r0I11
mer. and thread the pyrulnlCj' K[1<,b
(It u,ing) unto the olher end (It tile
110'e.
In,crt th~ stopper itllu Ihe hnk
Ihe PJC>dgJaS.

62

line

Sam) the cnds of (he acr) lie lllb

Ing and the edge~ of Ibe PIl').lgl~s
"!llooth. and attach the plen::, "I'
Ple'lglas to cllher end of the a..:r.1 Il~
lubmg wilh ;lCr) Ill: ccment ' ( I thai
the hoJe\ arc IOwaI'd [he top.

no! Lie

ne W' F

O!

III

DUAL-CUAMBEK BONG

Tnul.,

Materials- and SUI>plies

One 2' length
lUhing

l)(

2" 00

~(ryli(

Dlle 4" x 8" piece of !'i<"-tlllt:~

Drill and 0." unll hit (With a

degree or bullet-point lip)

(,0

Sandpapcr

Plc,<iglas
Directinns

AcrylIc ccmcnt

("ut the acryllc tubing Into one piece

6" long. and one pi..::ce 18" long.

Three lh" lOx '/," OD rubber

grommets
One 8" length of

I;'''

fleXIble vll~)'l hose

ID x'"

Onc 2" 10 polyethylene

One h" or
nonle

1,(,"

OD

l':lP

F x v." \{ bra",

clil

ne til" F bras, coupler

One SOl x W' M bra" nipple

Drill two J,~" holcs on opposite

slUes of the longer plcce of acrylic
lublng, .. bOUl 4Y." up from the bot
IOIll Drill one I,,:" hole in lhe ,horter
piece ot lllblng, about -+~;" up from

the bottom.

Sanu the end'> of the acrylic tub

ing alll! lhe cugC'i of the Plcxiglm,
smooth,

Screen (an aerator screen cuI to III

lhe bowl. or an appropriatel) 'il.el!
screen purchased from a Jl1o!-.e
~hop)

[continued)
64

(is

 Cem':111 Ihe (WI) picc!.", of aerY]le

uhing 01110 rhe Plnjgla~ ba,e 2"
ap<\r1 from cach other and ~o IhaT
The hole III lhe 'horter plCCC and the
11I1)e~ in tilt" longer piece are all in
line.
In,cll ,1I1e grommel Intfl the hok
In {he .,Ih)rfcr piece or acrylic lllbing.
and anorher inlo Ihe hole opposilc it
In the longer piece of acryll<: lub
ing. ln~crt one tond <)f the ho~e about
grommet 1tI the ,horter
piece of anylic TUbing, and Insel1
Ill" Win The

the other enu of the hose about 4"

illto the grommet III the rallcr piece
of 3tr~ Ill' tUbing. angling it to\\'arel

lhe bo!tol11
Drill a ~'.?" llOlc in {he lap ot Ihe
polyethylene cap. and In.,crt a rub
ber grommel IlIto The hole. Thread
lhe CliT nozzl!." Into the coupler. and

HYBRID
Materials and Supplies
tubing

Drill and I,.~" c1ntl biT (with a 60

dq;ree or hullet-point lip)

Three 4" x 4" plece\ of 1","-thICk

I" b'lring bil

One 2' length of 2" 00 lIU";' JJC

Plexiglas

Sandpaper

\(:r) lie cement

Three %"

, Cut th

One v." or \!.." F x

pin:e 6"
'8" long

j.."

1'1

bra,~

No/(: , to

~creen purcha~cd
~hop)

"llIIp/-" fill 111" smaller

Clit

noule

Une 2" x W' M br~l~., nipple

!I.II'.

Directions

m x l;X" OD rubber

grommet~

Ihread tht coupler Olll(l lhe nipple.

In,crllhe nlpplc inl(lthe gronllllel III
The polyC'thylcn..: cap. anu place the
cup on lhe ,horlcr piece of acrvlic
llIblng. II1~el1 the ~t:rcen Into The
howl
("-"!tII(/er Willi a/)Oll( 4" (if waler. or

Tools

One 1,1' F bras~ coupler

a<:r) IiL' lubing Into olle

lon!!._ anu OIlC pIece

tWO 'j" hole, 011 oppoSite

\Idc\ 01 rhe long piece of acrylic
wblng ahout -lY.i" lip from the

Dnll

bN(Om

Screen (au aerator ,creen cui to fil

the bo" I. or an appropriately s'led
from a ,moke

Jill fhe .Ilnaller cylinder Willi abOUI

-/" of hOI Wule!' and the tuller <"."t
illl!e}" "'/111 (/11 equa! amOUllt {If ICe

One 12" len~th of I.,' ID x h" 00

11<:>.ible vinyl hose

wafer

One )" rubber stopper

Drill two 111" hllle\ about Y' apan

from each other on one ,Ilk of the
.,honcr plcce of llIbing.

(continued)

6t\

67

 Drill a I" hole In the cenler of onc

of the ple.:c~ of PIe'Xiglas
S;)nd the end, of the un)"llL:: tub
in!! and the cd);c:> of lhe Ple"igla.'
bll1oolh.

Cement lhe longer piece (If aLT~ lie

lublllg Ollto nile ot lhe pH:ce, of
Ple\igla.., Without a hole.

Cement picce~ of PkxIgla,. one

With a hole and one without. to each
end of the shorter pIece of acr) Ii(;
lublng So lhnl the hole., in the [ublng
ure lacing lip.

Insert rubber grommets Into the

two hole, in lh.:: shoneI' piece of
an) I,l' tubing.. ul1L1 into one of [he
hole.' III lhe longer pieee of acry IIe
tuhlng.

68

hreaLi the cut no/Zle Inlo tile cou

pler. threaJ (he ('oupler onro the

I1lpple . .tnu in,ert the IlJppk 11I111

the gn l mll1et at one enJ of Ibe ,llnner

piecc of acrylic lllbing JIl'en Ihe

screcn inlo the howl.

Insert one enLi of the hose ah'llJl

Vl" into thc olher !!rommet )11 the
,hUrl PIC('C of

,Kryli<: Wbillg. anu

Ill:-.ert thL' other cnu uf the ho,c

annUl 4" IIlIo [he grommet III Ihe
!ongt:r piece of anylic [ubinl". ~lIJgl
Illg it do\\ l1\\'ard.

In~ert the ,(opper il1to the hole

the piece of PleXiglas.

111

69

TANDEM BONG

Material.,

Tools

One 3' length of :2" 00 x 1"I" W

UU} l1e lUbing.

Drill dnd ',1" drill hit (1\lth af)()

deg.ree Of bullet-point tip)

One 4" x 12" ple..:c of I,J"-thiek

PIc>.igla\

Sandpaper
Directions

Acrylic cement

Cut nne piceI:' 01 aer) Ite luhlllg 6'

long. and ellt the rClllaHllng plCcC in
half lit a ~llghL angle. 225 dt'~rcc5
or k".

One 2" If) pnl)elhylene cap

Fil'c ~," 10 x;,," 00

grommet,

One

~"

nJbb~r

01' I.:;" F x h." M

bra~\

cut

nozLk
One

II,"

F bru" _'oupIer

One 5" x W' 1vl bra\\ nipple

Screen (un aerutor '>creen ellt III fit

lhe bowl. or an nppropnatcly ,i/Cd
~('n:cn pureha,cd from a ~moke
shop)

Drill t\\O 1".1" holes on 0T'T'0'IlC

>Ides of the ~hoflcr plcce of "l:r~ III'
tuhing. abllU! ..j l " up f)'om {he [lllf
tOIll of (he luhe Orill IWO !.;" hllle~
on Oppv'lte ~ldt~ ., of each lit the
jonger pieces of tuhlng. aboul ':\'.j'
up from the bnllolll.

Sand thc emb of the acr~ Ill' tub

ing and the edgc~ or the p!e\lglas
~nl(llJlh

One 2 length of b" JO x Yo," OD

flex Ihle \ in\' 1 ho"c

(COJ)tillllCJ)

70

7)

 Cemenl tht' shorter piece of acrylic

tubing IInto the center of rhe Plexl
gla~ biJse_ ~nd ,'emenl the longer
piece, \111 ()PP(l~It(:' el1lh of the Plexl'
gla,. angled <twa;- trom eiJ\:h other.
The hole, on all tht' picee~ !>hould
line up with cad other.

in each lIf the long plece,~

tUbing,

or alr)lic

Cut the \ inyl ho,e in h~11 In\er:

one enJ of each pieet' or b(l,e ahout
~.':" 1I1to the grommets in the 'honer
piece of ilCf) lie tubing In,en rh~
other end, of th~ ho~e nboul 4" Info
rhe rubher grommet' In the taller
pll:t:e" of acrylic lllblllg, ~f1glrng
them down ward,

Dnll a W' 110le In the cenler of

the polyethylene cap, and IIbcrt a
gromlllet Illto the hole, Thread the
CUI I1ll/Zle Into the coupkr. and
rhreiJd the loupler onto the I1IP !Ym(': To I/,It', ,limply fill lire jllta[fer
pic, Insert the I1Ippk lIlro the rub el'll/uler with Il/)our 4" of \I'lI//r, or
ber grommel. and place the Cilp on Jill Ihe ,If)wller /'I'lrllder II irh 0/)0111
the ~horlcr piece of acrylic tubing, 4" of hOI W01<'I: ([lid (hI! wlh" 1',1i
IIld!!r.1 wuft (//1 equal (//11011I1! 0/ "'/'
Insert the ,creen into the hOI\ I.
lVt.l/l!r,

In,ert grommet;, II1l\1 the t\\'o holes

in the ,horter piCe'': of acrylic lub
ing, and the 1\\'0 holes opposite lhem

UMBILICAL BONG

Materials and

Supplie~

One 2' length of 2" OD acryiJc

~h()p)

uhmg

Une 6"x 6" piece

Scr~en (an "erator ,crcen Cllt to fit

rhe bo\\ 1, Of an appropnately ~iLed
,crcen purcha't'd fr0m ~ ,moke

or W'-lhlCJ..

Plexlgla,

One 2' length of ~.i"

f1c>.ible \'in)-I ho"e

Anyltc cement

\/."

OD

Tools

Two 2" ID polyethylene eap,

rhree lh" ill x W' OD luhher
grnmmcb

One lil!" or Vi" F x

I.." ~

Drill and t~" drill bit (with a 60

degree or bullet-point tJp)
Sandpaper

bras5- ClIt

nlll/Je

One I~ F bras, wupkr

One:''' x W' M brass nipple

(continucd)

'il
"

72

73

Directions
Cut (Ile ~crylic tubing IllW one
piece 6" 1l1ng. and one piecc I X"
long

Drill ont: !.~" hole in the ,horter

piece of acr) lEe tubIng about I b"
do\\ n from the lOp. anJ drill nnc ';"
hole in the ]llllger piece l,r ~ltTyllc
tubing abllut ~" In from onc end.

Thn:ad the cut nozzle 1111l> llie

coupler. and thread thc ~~()t1pler Olllo
the nipple Insert lhe nipple l!Hotlie
grommet In one of the pnl)cth\l.
~nc C~tps. and plul.'e tli... cap \\ IIIl Ihe
,tCIll and bowl on the ... hllrter piece
or ,Icr) lie tubing. IJl~ert the ~l'fI:cn
intl' Ihe bowl Place the olhc:r cap Ilil
the end of lhe longer piece nf an) he
tUblllg nearest the hole

I n~..::rl the rc IllUJIllng grommet ;n[o

lInc of the hole', III lhe ,h~ll1cr piece
Ilr aer~ llc tubing C\lnnect thc !lInger
pien: tll the ~hllrt<:r plcce h)' llls~rt
tng \ll1e cnd of the \'illy[ ho"e ahmll
I,," inlo [he ['ubber grommet'> ]'II! Iii
end nf the longer pl<:ce aJlt! ahout
Drill one ~.:" hole III the center of
4-' jJlf(1 thc 'Iue uf (he ,horter j11l'1 e.
C~dl of the polyethylenc cap" Jnd
angliJlg It Jll\\nwurd.
In,crt rubhcr ~n'rnmd' into thc

S~nd the enJ~ of the acrylic tub

Ing LInd lhe ed!:,c' of llle Plnlgla,
~lt\ooth. and CCIl1CIll tlie ,honer
piece oj aer) lie luhlng onlO the cell
tCl llf the PIc,igla" base.

hole,.

74

ACRYLIC STEAMROLLER
Materials and Supplies
One 12" length of 2" 00 x
aer) Iit tubing

i I!
II

Directions

I~"

ID

tlIbillg ah(.lut .I" in from

One 'A" JD x y," OD rubber

C1ronlTne,t
ne %" Or Ill"
n077I"

x 1/,,"

M hra,s

CUI

end,

Insen the rubber grommet IntI' the

In the au) lie llIbing. ThreaJ

111')<:

ne 2" x 1/," M bra,s nipple

Screen (an aerator \(Teen cur to fit
the bowl. or an appropriately SILeo

screen purchu\ed from a smoke

shop)

I II1

011\"

Sand the clld~ or 'he ,IL'rylil' Illbill?

"moot h.

One 1/." F bra,,, coupler

II

Drill l\lle Yl" hole ill the aef)lic

the

Clit

noule

Illto

the coupler,

threaJ the, coupler \)1110 the 11irplc:.

and in\cr! the nrppk Into the gn>m
met In~t'Tt the screen into fhe hnwl.
NOle: 'Ii) /I~e, (0\', r the elid ,'f llil;
lube ,qlh ()lit' !lulld, ullcI rell/!I\' ,,!I,'n

the

Ill!>/'

"fidllll r('/ea\e

lire SIW)~('.

Tools

j;
I

Drill and

'/~"

llrill bil (with a hO

degree Dr bullet-pOint tip)

Sandpaper

76

77

_. - ....
- -~=-

HONEY-BEAR BONG

Matt'rials and Supplies

Tools

Ollt." empty pla~lic hcnr-\haped

honey c\lntainer
One '/," I[) x
grommet
One

1/X "

Dr ~:\"

~x"

X-ACIO knife. or similar sharp.

pointy InqnJJ1It:nt

OD rtlhber
x ~/..'

,,1 bra"

Directions
ellt

nOlll...
One '/x" F bra\s couDkr

One 2" x ll." M bra" nipple

Screen (an aerator ,ereen CLit tn lit
the bowl. or an arpmpflately si"cd
s\.'rcen plln:.ha,cd trolll a <.ll1oke
:"hnpl

IW

L''lJ1~

rhc knife .. lUI one ~~' hole

in lhe bad of the honey bear '" h<:au,
and one In lhe hone) bear's ch,>l.

I nscn the "ubber gmmmct 111m

the hole 1n lhe honeY bear"' che'l
Thread the eLiI n()7Z.1~ intn the cou
pler. thread the coupler nnw \he
nipple. and in,ert the lllpplL' 11110
the I1rol11J11et in Ihe hone\ bear's
che'-~ In,en the screen lilln lhe
bowl.

81

RUBBER DUCK HOOKAH

=-

Materials and Suppli~5

l1C

larg.e ruhber duck irhc bIgger.

[he helter)

Two W ID
grommets

X 'Yb"

00 rubber

One 'Ix" or ~<i" F x Ih" M bra,,, ~ ut

nou.le
One 1/-" F bra,,, coupler
One 'i'" )\1 bra~, nipple (lhe 1cnl!rh
wlI' depend on lhe 'dZt' of the rub
ber duck I
Slrcell (an aer:.Il0l'screen cur 10 fir
rhe bow!. or an appropriarej~
sit.cd screen purchased from a
,make ShOD)

Onc j 2" lengrh of I,j" If) x

fle,\lbk vinyl ho,c

J,',,"

OD

",<"

F bra.. . ., pyramitl knob \\'lIh

cl hole for ~l beaded chain (opti()llal)
ne

Directions
CUI .lrunJI on!:' I.:," hole 111 till rUb

ber Jilek', tnrl'head. and one In

tht' back L1f lile rUbber dll~ k , head

Makt' .wother '1" hole III rhe rUhber

duck'~ reilr i.:nd lor <,carb.

In'ert fhe t\\'o rubber i!rorwt1ct<

inrn the holes III (Ih: rubber dud ~

forehl'a<1 and the had, oj II', hcud

Thread rhi.: cur 110ZLh~ into rh~ ~uu

pier. thread the coupler I"rlil rhe

11IppJe. and rn,>cfl the nipple into

the grommet in (he rubbcl dtl<:k\

foreheaJ. In<;ert Ihe ~creen infO the

bowl.

In,en one end of the l'il1y1 ho,>c

about I" II)to the !!rOJl1nl('t III lhe

hack ot Ihe rubhcr dUd." head and

thread the pyramid kllob (If 1I,inp)

onto

X-ACIO klllfc. or <'imilar sharp. poinry

1IJ.,(Iument
Drill an<1I~" Jrill bir (option,ll)

the other eJld of rlie hl).,l.

1/ l!lere 1\ /llqUl!lI~lIIli ,kl'll (.

fhe bO{(tll/I <1/ llil! rubher dUI A. II

.VOIe'
III

Tool"

-=

1111/11

hi' phlf(gecl

pllif( it

10

{I)'old Inl~lIg,

dep/!ud ('II th,'

~II/(I of .I<jI'I!(//o.ll/g dlTicl!, llJ( ,\1:" 0/
t!l,. !loll.'. (ind 1!'llal you /1((\ (' r,'(/d
il.\ (1':ailuh!l!. SiIIC','l/c ('allik til' ,/II
flrl1l' \'tllI

HIIl

(/{lprO!'I'1(/te 11:1' "(Irk

pIt' of!)I),I',)Ibil/{ie,l,

are jli.11 ,I (I'l"

82

83

SNOW GLOBE BONG

MaterjaL~ and

Su pplie~

Directions

On.: large pla~tic snnw globe (lhe

hlgger. rhe berter)
One 12" length of I" OD acryliC

tubing
Acrylic cement
One -'I~" or
nOll.le
One

l,ij"

F x 1/," M

bra,,~

cui

DI ill

I.")" hole., in Ihe fr(lnt Hill] hack

of Ihe ~1H1\\ glohe near rhe LOp. and
Jrain out Ihe lt1luld Be sure that the
hole~ are centered and ar ka,t I"
apart. Nole: Because liIOW [:Iobe\ arc

IVII/nill)' lIlade of 1011'- Rrade I'lasllc.

"'hlch lend.l !O he eXlremeh brill Ie.
IIII' ('0111;/111 \I'hell dr/lllI1!:, Tn aVOId
brt'aklllg rhe glo/w, II is "1'1/ 10 Ilarl
lilt, hoh',l WiTh a .Il1lqllt!f "fllI!Ji1 and

If," F bras, coupler

One lf~" M bra" nipple ((he Il~ng.th

~i/c of lhe :-1]<)\1.'

depends on the
globe)

One Vi" ID x v," OD rubber

grommet
~crcen

(an aerator screen cut to fll

the bowl, or an upprnpni.llely 'lIeu
screen pun.:ha,eJ from a 'Jll(J~e
shop)

Glitter

lI'(JrA. .lfmr 11'0.' up 10 Ihl' largl'r hIT.

Drill u I,~" hole in tIle' In\\cr part of

lhe acryliC rube tor a carbo and ..m ach
the lIIbe III the ,now globe with acr)
lie cemellt. cell1enn!? it over the hole
In the bad.. 'Ide ot the globe.
Thread Iht: cut nozzle lnlo the
ccmpkr. and lhread the coupler OnlO
the nipple. Insert Ihe rubber grol11

met II1to lhe hole in the front of the

snl)\\' globe. anu in~ertlhc nipple InlO
rhe grommet [n~erl the ~crcel1 IntOlhe

bo\\'l.
Tools

Drill and !t.l" drtll bit (with a 60

NOle: To achieve 1I ., IlImj'" ejli'cl.lIllcl

glilll'r 1(/ Ille Wilier when ll.\mg,

degree or bullcl-pl)ior tip)

84

IlS

COCONUT BONG

J\1<tlerials and Supplies

)ne Iarge coco nut
One sturdy pla,til' bcver~gc stra\\.
sLich as tl K razl Stra\\
ne

I,~"

HB x P:\" F bms, hose barb

lo-plpe adapter

One (')" length of I~" 1D x

tlcxtble l'llly! hosc

J,i"

OD

Screen (an aeraWr screen cut to fit

the bowl, or an appropriately ,il.eJ
screell purchased from a smoke
shop)
One paper cockwil umbrella
One small cork
111(0 a h" hole)

(~rnall

enough to fit

Tools
Dnll. y.," drill bit. and W dJ'lJl bit
(actual ,lZes depcnd on the oUhtde
diameter of Ihe ~tl'a\, l(l be useu)

86

Directions
Drill one I,,~" hole in one (lj Ihe
lhmple, in the top of Ihe cnCOfllll,
[Ind one 'N' hole in each of the otlwl'
two dimple,.
Cut the lower pan of Ihe <,(1[\\\ ,,)
thaI 1\ is ani} slightly lon'.er thallthe
thJckne" of the coconur. aJlJ in'crt
it Into the 1/.1" holc.
Insel'l the hose barb into one entl (If
lhe hose. and insert the Nhel' elld
of the hose into nne of the 'I,' hLlIe,
In the coconu\. In,ert the 'lI'ccn Into

the bowl.
In,ert the paper COCKtail umbrcll,l
pick int~llhe cor\... andln,cn the Clll'~
into the other ;,i' hole In the l'()c'l)
nUl, When using, remove the cor \.. to

release thle'

~m()ke.

NrJlc: Til" liqlllll il/\idi' t!le ('()r'Ofl/ a

/llaI' he tl.'<,d ill p!ac'c of Il'a{t'l'.

SPYGLASS BONG

Materials

One

SP) gln,,-

or telescope

One 'I." 10 x y~" OJ) rubber

grommet
One 1" x

1(,"

Om: 1j(I' F x

1\.1 bras, nipple

I,,""

F lJO-degree-angle

br'.I$S pipe clbuIV

One I" x W' M brass nipple

One >/," or

'I""

F x '\" M hrass cut

nonk
One If." coupler

One Vw F x ,/x" M 4S-degrcc-ungle

bras~ nol./ Ic
Screen (all aeralor screen l ut to fit
the b(l\vL or an appropnateJ) ,izeJ
,creen purcha~cd from a smoke

"hop)
Rubb.:r gasket malenal

Tools

Drill and W' dnll btt

Direclion!>

Remove all Ien"es from thc tele

scope or j(pygla~, ~o (hm you are
left with an unobstructed telescop
Ing. tUbe.

Drill

a ,~"

holL: un

Illle

slue of the

largest pnn 01 the 'pyg!a,,;s or tele

scope about .i" in from the lens end
for the stem and bo\\ I. and drill
~lIJL)th("r If," hole on the Opposite slue
anout 4 ,. III from the kn, enu for the
<:.lrl1.

Insert the l'lIbheT gnHllmet Int,) the

lower hole. Thll'au the 2" nipple I11 to
one Side of the 90-degrec-:lllglc:
pipe doow. In,ert the I" nipple into
the grommet. nnd thread 1l Into the
other SIlk of the clh...l \\ on the lO~ldc
of the ,pygla,s nr lele,cope. Thread
the ellt n0711e Into the coupler.
and thread the couplt'r onto the -+~
dell-rcc-angle nOZ7le. Threau the
5-degree-anglc n07,le into the nip
pic on the uUblue oj the "pygla,s or
tele,copc. Insert lhe ~crecn 11110 the

t1Pwl
a piece Ill' gasket material (0
I'll Inside the larg.c lens ri ng. and
lhn:nd it bal'k nnto the large end o!'
lhc telescope'.
ellt

I{emove the lens irom the eyepIece

ring.. and thread the eyepiece hack
01110 the small end of the telescope.

TEAPOT BONG

Materials and Supplies

One ~maJI. lightwcight. melal tea
pot (with a rcmov<lhle knob dnd a
hanLile thai i, either mounted on the
:>Ide of thc p<lt or hlllged . ,0 th~t it I'
not al\\'a)~ directly above lhe lid)

One nlcl,.d-ehromc pipe bOIl J and

Iid. ,til h a:> the k II1d found at a
<;moke ,hop (il ,houltl more or Ie,s
malch thc teapot)
One II." F bras~ coupler
W'M bras, nipple (the lenglh will
depend on the si/L' 01 the teapot)

Screcn (an aerator screen cut to fil

the h011 I. or an appropnatcly Sl-eCc!
screen purchased from a smoke
shop)

90

T()ol~

Drill and "x" drill bll

J)jrecti()[l~

Un,cre'l and remol'c the knob

tram the lid Ilf the teapot lind
e.nlarge tbe hole to V"'. Fnlarge t/it.
tWle of the cxi'ling vent If there is
one. for the carn
bread the pi pe bOil j and lid into
tbe Ollhldc of tlil' IIlJ of the teapnt.
thread the couplcl onlll thL' bm\!
Iln the Inside: of the jill of the t,;apot,
and thread the nIpple Illln thO' cou
pler 11l~t:rt the screc:n In(() the Dcnd.

91

BOOK STASH-BOX

Materials and Supplies

Directjon~

One large hardco\'er book, such a\ a

dlclIoJUtry

Reillove the pllgl'S oj the book fronl

B00k board ,11' hea\ \' cHn.lhoard ([he

amount will depend nn (he \17.e of
the book)

Glue
Plain wbite paper

X-AelO knIfe, or simJlar sharp.

in.'.trulllent

~Il

92

alld glue.

Glue the nottom of the bo\ tLl the

In<;lue of the buck co\'cr of lhe hlllik.

Ruler

Di\posable foam

Mea,ure rhe \tllLk of page\ II ilh

lhe rukr and. lI"ing (he book b,)aru
and gille. make a box \\ illt four
\lde~ and a hOllOll1 thai i\ Ill,' '.lme
finisheJ ~Ize a, (he 'lack of rage,

C0\er (he book board II"llh rhl

lalll whirc paper lI\ing the 01'11,11

Tool ..
pojnt~

the cover b) carefully t'utllng alollg

the bInding with rhe knite.

brll~h,

abotH

\vlde

93

BOOK HOOKAH

Di,pmabk foam brush. about

~., Wide

Mall:rial!>

One large hardcl)\(:r book.

wctionary

SUl h a~

One large piece of book board or

heavy cardhoard (~izc w1l1 Jepend
un the '17.e of thc boo\..)
Plain Ivhite paper

Glue

One empty pla"-li<: fOOd-storage con

tainer (,lIghtly ,halloll"cr than the
tlucknes, of the book)
Three I" x '/," threaucd nipplc~

Five W' thin

br:i~'

nut"

1\vo \4" HB x 1/." I- brass ho"c

barb-to-pi pc aJapter~
One%" or
llOT.z.le

1;1"

I- x 1/," M bra" l'ut

One 'N' coupic

Screen (an acrawr "creen Cllt to l'i I
lhe bal\'I , Of an appropriatcly "i/~d
SCreen purcha~ed from a ,l11oke
,bop)

One 1" length of 'I'!" ID x %" OD

nexible vinylllOse
One small br~l~~ pyramid knob with
a hole for a beaded chain (oplJonal)
Tool~

X-Acto knife. or ~imil,lI ,harp.

pointy in~trumenl
9~

Drill and W' drill bIt

Direction~

follow the procedure for the Book

Sta,'h-l3ox (page 92).
Cut lhree )/," holes in the hJ Df
lhe pJastll (oJllainer. "nel cjnll lhree
cmrespondlOg 3.~" hole, in lhe fr(lllt
cOl'cr 01 the book.
Altach the three IhreaJed nipple,
tothe lid of the plastic containCTwilh
lhe bra~, nul,. and one 11t" the 11\),(;
barb-to-pipe adaptcrs as ShOll n
Fill the container approxim3tcly
two third., full of waleI', Placc the. lill
on the eomaincr. nnd place the con
tainer inSide the book bo~, Ali~n
the hole, J 11 the front C(l' er of the
book II ilh the nipple,. and closc the
cover,

Thread the -.:ut nOLzle Into the c<,u

pier. ancl thread the coupler onto one
(,f the nIpple" Jnsert Ihe ,creen lnw
the bowl. Insert the llther hose barh
to-pipe adapter InW on" end of the
ho,e. and threat! the adapter onto
one of the other nipplc.,. Thread "
p) rnmid knob (jf u,ing) Ollto the
other end of the bo'c.
When nl,ll in use. cll,assemble and
store the pIeces in,ide the bo,. A
p"per jacket mal be useo to mask
the hole, In the COl cr of the book.

95

SE,,,,O;;": V:

Fro- the Pa
o the Pre
Smoking devices have come a long way from their hum
ble origins. This section will explain how to make two
smoking devices from opposite ends of the spectrum:
first. a bamboo bong, much like those first encountered

I,

in Vietnam in the late '60s and early '70s, and last, the
vaporizer of today.
Making a bong from bamboo may prove harder than you
might think, since bamboo is less common here than it
is throughout most of Asia. It is [JQssible to find bamboo
at some garden-supply stores, though, and well worth
the effort it might take. Simplicity often belies richness,
and you may find that it is easy to appreciate the tech
nological advances of the day through understanding
what they evolved from. Making and using an actual
bamboo bong can help put history into perspective.

l7J

96

I.

Meanwhile, making and uSing a vapOrIZer

help you appreciate how much smok
Ing devices have evolved VaporIZers are
considerably more high-tech tha n their
ancestors. They use electriCity rather than
the flame from a match or a lighter to get
lllngs burning, and they do not get Quite
as hot. Because of thiS, vapoTIZers are said
10 burn cleaner and more efflcrenlly,
releasing fewer harmful emissions, While
not nearly as simple as constructing an
average bong. it is possible to make a vapor
Iler with a few easily obtainable mat8lials

Will

and supplies, There are, of course, certain

dangers inherent In any device that uses
electriCity However. if the instructions are
followed carefully, your vaporizer will be as
safe as can be,
Somewhere between the time-tested thuoc
lao pipe and the ultra-efficient vaporIZer.
there Is probably a bong, pipe, or hookah
for everyone and every occasion, If you ,\111
haven't found the one that's right for you,
then Invent your own!

97

A BAMBOO BONG,

OR VIETNAMESE rHUOC LAO PIPE

Materials and Supplies

One long sel:tlOn of dry bamboo
dpprO:l.lmately 2" In diameter (If it
IS nel'e~sar) to CUI a section of bam
hoo from a Jonger ~talk. eut .Ipprox
imately 11.:" below a "knuckle,")
One 3" long piece of

~~"

hardwood

dowel

One 1" long piece of I H hardwood

dowel

Tools

lhe cenler of the

Drill and W' through

i~"

drill bit:-

boring bit

Sandpaper

Directions
Drill a hole for the stem 3" from
the bottom of the sel'tion of bamb\.lo
by lllrtking a ~hallow starter hole
wllh the W' dnll bit. Once the
hole j~ \taned. drill the req of
the way through with the bit angled
tOI\ arc! the bonom of the section uf
bamboo. Enlarge (he hole by mo\!
ing up to lhe next lar!!est drill bit
(Y,."). again angltng toward the bot
tom, Continue to enlarge the hole al
angle until it is W' in diameter.

98

Drill a (,tralght) l~" hole ~'. fmm

the bottom on the opplJ',ite \IU<:: of
(he bambo<> for a carb. If de\lred. (A
tradllioncli Vielname~c Iltlloc lao ripe
doe~ not have a earb. When lhc l'OIi'
tenlS of the bowl have been burnt:u.
a ~hort. ,harp breath i, bJtlWII balk
into the pIpe to clcar the b(\\\ I \\ hie
then serves as (he carb, :.Ind Ihcli the
smoke In the pipe is inhaleu Tim
may take practice)
Dnll a It"" hnlc allihe

Saw

~'.l"

Be <:areful' Dry bambllll can be hrit,

tic and Will splinter ea\ily

J..~"

1\ ay ttHough
dOlVel.

lJ,tllg the bonng bit. drill a I,"

diallleter hole about halfway (hr0118h

one ,ide 01 the I" dowel. Ih,'1l drill
from the Olher ,Hk of the dllWc!
until the bMing bil breaks thr(lLl);ll
to the other hole,
Sand all rough edges smoot",
Insert one elld of the In" do\\.ellllill
lhe l' JoweI. and In~ert the other
end of the \I:" dowel into the :.Illgku
hole in the sectIOn of bamhoo
Nule: S(){//"ill~ Ihe thuoe hill I"l'''
be/ore il.\ firSI lI.le \\'11/ UI/I.\C
bamboo {Inc! hardlH)od 10 .\In'lI, Ilt'I,,
IIlg prel'l'llIll!okl,

"It

99

VAPORI ER
Material" and

Un<:'. ,... " f- hmss pyramid ~nnb with

hole for a beadcd chain (optional)

Sllpplie~

am: soldering Iron OS walt. or

11:". with removahle ,0ldcrJng II

On<: large. \\"ide-mOlllh Jar (a

n-(lum:e mayonlldi,e lar \\ It Ii a
pJa,tlc lid wtll wor~ well)

Tools
Drill

and

'/i.."

drill bIt (wilh a

(;()-tkgre~

or hullet-point tip) and

'>mall drill bit (~17e \\ ill depend on

Ihe ,>l/l' of the ~cre\\S u'>cd tll :mach

the Ilu 111' the lar to the Plexlgla~l

OIlC 4" x 4" picl'c o! " "-thid

PlexIglas

Slrc\\',. 't'" to
.. long wllh COITc'pOlldI Ilg. lIul,

Burillg hll r~lle uepcntl'> 011 the

t1lllI1lC(.:r of the handle of lhe '>older
ing IrOIl)

Qne 0" length I1f ;2" 00 x 1\.1" I D

SanJpaper

Two "mall

1ll1lchlilC

aervlie
lubw"'"
.

Directions

One 0" x Ii" piece of ',"thll:

PleXJglas

Al>rylic I.e-men I
Two ,mall-g:JlIge W'fe
or him:)

lilli'

One~" bra-,s 1I11t Cdp.

ttl he lIst:d as a ho\\ J

or ,imllar.

(gray

011

One small bra" wlIllu-hcad

Inaehlnc screw (SI7t.: dt:pcnus Oil
solderin2 iron. It,holllu IiI into
rhe t'nd ~f the Iron. III place of Ihe
soldering lip. This will be u'>cd
II) llttach the nUl cap to the 1\ 111 of
lhe soldering iron, I
One 12" length of \,~"
!lc.xible Vinyl ho'>c

NUll' The .!o!loll iflg (IIre('(ul//\ are

itlli'lIc!ed /() ~er\'e f/I gUlllelll1f.:,\
l1<'col/se 11111.\1 \(Ilderilig 11'(111\ (ire
,lllIIilor ill I/WII\' r<'\pen" hut dif
{en'lII til (lllIer,l, I/iliell will depelld

II) X 't,"

OD

Ihe ,\o!derfllg fro"

1(\:11

for Ihi.\

pro/ect.
Cut the cJeo:lricaJ lord (If the ,01
tlcrJl1g iron about -+" rrom the end of
the hanulc.

USll1g the drill and b0ring bit. drill

II hole 111 thl' ccnter of the liu of the
tar and the 4" x 4" plt'ce of Plexiglas.
The hl1k should be large enough
to tll,ert the bOllorn of Ihe handle of
the ,>()It.lenll~ Iron Into, but not ,0
(colltinueu)

100

large that the soldenng iron will fall

through II.
Attach the lid of the jar and the
4" x .+" piece of PIe\Jgla, to each
other with the two ~maJi maciline
,crews and nuts. These II ill then
el'entuaJly be attached to the end ot
the acrylic lllbill. ;;;0 II i, importalll
to make ~ure thaI [he 5ercw, and
nUls \\'111 fit jn~idc the tubing.

approximalely I.'i". Re-atta-:h Ihc [w"

piece, 01 CICe[fleal cord by [II I'tlllg
rhe ends together and Ihreudlng Ih~
\\ ire nuts onto rhe e\pO'>cd \I'lre.
Once the ekctflcaJ cord ha, been
re-anaehed. pull the cord bad,
lhrough the holes ~o lhal the hanuJe
of the "nlderlflg iron now Te,t' III
the hole In Ihe !lu and --1-" x 4" piece
ot P!e\lglas,

Drill a %" hole in the piece of Remove the 'oldenng lip IrolTI
aery Ill' tubing about 1" up frolll the rhe soldering iron. Drill a hole
bonnm.
In the center uf lhe nul cap ju<,1
big enough for the bra,s rOlln,l-head
Silnd the edges of the Ple\lgla~ ,crew to pa,s through. and thrCcrd
anJ the end, of the acrylic tubing the slIe\\, into lhe lip of thc '11Idcr
,mooth and attach lhe 4" x 4" piece
giron, Thl!' will bc Ihe bowl
of Plexigla, and lid to the top of the
acr~ lie tUbing With acr) lie cemenl.
Insert one end (lfthe \'in) I h(he 11110
Attaeh lhe bOltolll of the acrylll: tub one of the ,t,," holcs in the lid alld 4"
111 to the center of the 6" x 6" piece x -+" piece ot Plexigla,. and thrcau
of Plt:xigla,. and allow the cement the pyramid knob (If u,ing) nnw rite
to (Jr-v according to direction.> on il~ other end \)f the \ Ill) I ho~e,
pad-age before proceeding.
After the eemel1l l1a.' dried com
pletely. dl'lll tIVO !j~" diameter hole
through the lid and 4" x 4" piece
of Ph:: xiglas III the area between
the walls of the lid and the aCT) lic
tlIblng.
Feed the end of the soluering iron's
electrical cord (the end thaI I ' still
attached to the plug) through the
hok in the bottom of the acrylic
tubillg. then through the hole in the
lid and 4" x 4" piece of Plexiglas.
Once through, split fhe ends 01 both
the cord attached to the plug and the
,oldering iron approximatelv 1"_2 n
then stnp the end.> of all fOllr wire,

NIIII:'. ]() I/.,e Iht \'0[111 rr: er. .fill

Ihe bOll'/. I'CreH' fhl! jar lIl/o ill 1111
and plllg Ihe mlila;II,f: Imll ill/o (111
e!!!Clril',d (l/I/Iel, YOli f\ ill kllOIl Ih"
\'(1!J()l'i:,el' 11<1,\ 1'('II('he(/ Ihe ('orren

temperatllre. whirh ,an I(//..e 11'1'(101

mit/Iller. when (/ whire c!()(J(! hCQ1t"
10 oppear illslde lire chilli/her, Till I
1//1:'1111,1 Ihl:' comenll of Iht' hml'! IH/I'f
hegllll III l'apori:,c. ~\,I J()()11 as lite
ermlOII.1

l!It'

bowl bl:'gill

10 1'1Ij!or'

1<'

prel't'11/ (l1't'rhellliIJg. The \'0[1(11' in

Ihe c!lolllber IS r,'a,II' 10 iJ,' III/wlnl
Tlte ('arb !Iole lI1ak~" clearlllg til,'

('!Jamb",r ca~tel'. ''''' il need !!OI he

ered 10 pre\,'nl Ihe ~'a/JlJ" JrtJl7I
escaping Ihe c!loll/ber, II,\' hltlc \'apur
,'(l\
1.1

102

of

;::.e, Illlpll(g II,e soldcrlllg il'(l1I

/iI.;t!I.1'

fo ('.fCCIpe.

GLOSSARY

ABS/PVC: ABS and PVC are plastiC com,

pounds used ta make pipes and litlrngs tor
lumblllg and Imgatton ABS and PVC plastiC
pipe come rn a few different diameters lhat
work well for bongs. and are otten sold In
englhs as sharI as four tee! There are also
assorted rJlastlc lorn1s and fitllngs avariahte
tor ASS and PVC pipe
AcryliC cement Acrylrr cpment IS a clear.
solvenl-type adheSive that is spBCIlicaHy for
mulated for acryliC aod Plexiglas. It literally
welds pieces of Dla~tlc together
Angled nozzles' Nonles 01 different angles
90 and 45 degrees. for example-can be
used 10 turn pipe and bong stems In a particu
lar directIOn,
Bowl The Mwl IS the wntaine( In which the
material that IS to be burned and smol-.ed is
contained
Carb Tile word carb IS likely deflved Irom the
word carburetor Acaib Increases the amaunl
of air that can enler a smoking deVice by prG
vldrng a point ot entry other Ihan tl1/'. relatively
small and conslrlcted opening /Il lhe bottom of
Ihe bowl. The use of a carb makes clea,ing the
smoke-filled chamber easier
Compression nuHo-plpe adapter: Bowls
and stems can be made using a compressloll
nul- to-pipe adapter and a length of brass
tubing, A good standard combination IS a V,"

104

compressIOn nut to a li F pipe adapter WIt!

" 00 ~ra,s tubing This type of bo\'ll anti
stem requires some farm M seal 10 r",.,vent
leaks
Coupler' A coupler IS a tlttln~ that /010, lM
Ihlctgs logethe: It IS Ih/eadel! orr the IIISlllr;
and can be used to connect a male Ihrr'~dpIJ
Dlpe to a male threaded fitting tor exampl
Cut nOlzle Cut lIozzles are found In the II~ht
Ing sectron of the hardware store 01 Iii ItNes
that specialize In lamps and II[!htln~. Ih"
standard size used {(lr bowls is '"' f " ,,'
M fThe nexl smallest Sile. /, F). " M.
also works well)
Elbow In 118rdware telmrnology. an plbow I
a fitting lIsed to lorn sections at pipe, luhlng
or other fittings al a particular angle u~[Ially
90 (lr i5 degrees.
FleXible Vinyl hose FleXIble Vinyl /luse call
be used for the stem of a bong, or In conn~(\
a mouthpiece to a hookah Flexible vln'll h
IS usually sold hy lhe linear fool, atld can bQ
found at hardware stores;;s well as aqua[lt!
supply shops The sizes of the outSlue and
inSide diameters are given as OD and 10
respectively The OD Will determine the ,1/
of the hole the hose will fit Into, and ID will
determine the Slle of lhe flttrng thai will III
/Ilto It For example. a piece of I,.' 00 x'"
10 hose will fit Into a II" dlamater hDle, and a

% hose barb Will fit into It When Inserted

snugly Into lIle approprrate diameter liole,
flexible vinyl hose will prOVide a relatively
le<lk-proot seal Without the use at a rubber
grommet
Hose barb-to-plpe adapter Just as the name
Implies, hose barb-to pipe adarxters can lOin
lIexlble hose to threaded pipe The Simplest
way to make a bowl and stem fo! a bong J~
to insert a blass 110se barn-to prpe adapter
Into a piece of lla~lble Vinyl hose Huse barb
to-pipe adaplers are available In both mal
and lemale t11readm

Pyramid knob: the Inouthplece on mosl

pipes IS usually what IS leferred to as J small
pyramid knob With a hole for a beaded chain
Rubbllr grommets: RulJber grommet~ may
be lound In either hardware stores or smoke
hops. They pn)\/ldr, a seal between a stern cr
hose and the body of a bong or hookah help
Ing to pre.vent leaks.

Scrllens Screens are 110t reqUired for use With

lore-bought bong bowls, as the rnslde diam
eter of th" opening 111 IIle holtom of the bowl IS
Iisually very small anrl acts as a screen, and
the water tl/lers out anytiling else that mlgl1t
Male/female Male and female indicate get througll Screens can be found In either
whether the threads are on lile outSide or hardware stores Gr smoke shops In hardware
inSide of a pipe or titling. Male pipes and hI stores the) are found In the pluml:nng depart
lings are threaded on the outsll1e, mean ment. and are referred 10 as aerator screens
109 they get threaded Into something Female They (Ire usually sold In a varIety of diameters
pipes and fillings are HHeaded on the IIlslde. but larger screens can eaSIly be cut down Wit
rnllalling thai something IS threaded IOta tham a palf at scissors when a smallel ,creen IS not
Male or female threading IS usually Indlcatad readily available
by Bither an M or an Fit maya Iso anpea r as Stem, The ~tem connects the bowl to lhe body
IIlther MIP or FIP
of a bong or hookah or to the mouHlillece ~f
MJP/FIP: MIP slands for male iron pIpe rIP
slands for female lion (JIlJe. Iron pipe SIZes
are nomlllal. meanlllg they do not rellect Ihe
actual diameter of tnt: pipe or fitting
Nipple: In plumbing terminology. a "mpple" IS
a short length 01 pipe (12" long or less) that
IS threaded on both ends These are useful tor
bong stems, as well as for pi pes
Plexiglas: Plexiglas IS !nand name. but used
generically It reters to ilnv translucent slleel
acrylic.

a pipe
Threaded nipple' Found In the lighting ,ectlo
of lhe hardware ~tore or In stores that sflecral
Ize rn lamps and i1ghtlng threaded ntppl~.s are
Similar to regulal pfumbtng nipples. but they
are threaded down Hlelr enlire leog1h.

I S8N-'0 0-8"8-~
1 S8~-' 3 .78-0-8'

~1IJ~ijl~J1IJ)JI1~~ I I

IfJI