L33T
03-09-2007, 06:27 PM
When I first decided to jump upon the concept of a bong design, it attracted me because it appeared to be less expensive than a similarly performing radiator or heater core setup. Alas, I learned, based on the project logs of other people, that to make a aesthetically appealing bong, it cost over a hundred dollars... some people, such as AussieJester, spent about $150 if I remember correctly from his pseudo-worklog to make a -- let me say, beautifully made bong.
Though then I was in Home Depot and I found that PVC pieces aren't quite as cheap as I had simply guessed; furthermore, they were missing the important T-piece, which seems to be necessary; nonetheless, the other pieces were:
White PVC Pipe Fitting 4" Pipe, 45 Deg PVC Wye, Socket ... $8
PVP Pipe 4" x 10' ... $18
120mm fan ... $6
This is by no means a comprehensive list; I can think of some other things I might need: some PVC cement $10(?), a PVC cutting saw $20, ; and if I want other connection pieces -- bends, T's, &c... each piece is about $8 it seems. If I were to just want a T-pipe with a T-pipe connected to each of its two feet as "supports", that'd be about $24... then I need about four caps at $3 a piece for $12 total.
So far that's $98. I still need some way of breaking the water apart into droplets, which I suppose may be done using the top of a CD container and punching holes into it (you know, the kinda of CD "tower" you get when you buy a bunch of CDRW's). But then that might be a bit too large in hindsight. Let us just assume that building this thing will cost about $15, even if it means just buying a shower head.
Now we're at $113. I'd need a bit of paint to make it look nice; a bottle of spray paint could run about $10. Fortunately I already have a supply of various grit sandpaper.
In total, this bong would cost $123.
That's the problem, and it doesn't stop there. Apparently you can no longer use things you don't wish to inhale as fumes. I plan on using Pentosin G12, which I suppose I don't wanna inhale. Also, it raises humidity, which is a huge negative for me, since I'd be using this down in the basement. We're already running dual dehumidifiers 24/7 just to get rid of the humidity. I'd hate to think that I'm running a humidifier just across the room.
All those things aside however, it was the cost that startled me.
That brings me to my second idea, which I brought up long ago (mind you, this isn't my idea originally; Zenjirou originally did it first). The idea is to use an aftermarket car radiator -- not a typically small one; no: a large one. It would be something like this, for example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-87-88-89-ACCORD-KOYO-HI-FLOW-NEW-RADIATOR-JDM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33730QQitemZ8022210 177QQrdZ1. A Koyo radiator. Don't be fooled by the $79 Buy It Now price. Look at the shipping: $25. That makes $104 total. Well, I could buy it at my local car parts store for just $4 more, and have the satisfaction of getting it immediately.
And a radiator is-a radiator. Each PVC component is-not-a bong. You've got to build it, which I realize is part of the fun, but for $108, I could have a working product; perhaps I need to screw in a pair of 1/2" ID barbs, but that's child's play.
$108 and I can get absolute silence.
$123 and I can get a waterfall effect.
What do you guys think?
Though then I was in Home Depot and I found that PVC pieces aren't quite as cheap as I had simply guessed; furthermore, they were missing the important T-piece, which seems to be necessary; nonetheless, the other pieces were:
White PVC Pipe Fitting 4" Pipe, 45 Deg PVC Wye, Socket ... $8
PVP Pipe 4" x 10' ... $18
120mm fan ... $6
This is by no means a comprehensive list; I can think of some other things I might need: some PVC cement $10(?), a PVC cutting saw $20, ; and if I want other connection pieces -- bends, T's, &c... each piece is about $8 it seems. If I were to just want a T-pipe with a T-pipe connected to each of its two feet as "supports", that'd be about $24... then I need about four caps at $3 a piece for $12 total.
So far that's $98. I still need some way of breaking the water apart into droplets, which I suppose may be done using the top of a CD container and punching holes into it (you know, the kinda of CD "tower" you get when you buy a bunch of CDRW's). But then that might be a bit too large in hindsight. Let us just assume that building this thing will cost about $15, even if it means just buying a shower head.
Now we're at $113. I'd need a bit of paint to make it look nice; a bottle of spray paint could run about $10. Fortunately I already have a supply of various grit sandpaper.
In total, this bong would cost $123.
That's the problem, and it doesn't stop there. Apparently you can no longer use things you don't wish to inhale as fumes. I plan on using Pentosin G12, which I suppose I don't wanna inhale. Also, it raises humidity, which is a huge negative for me, since I'd be using this down in the basement. We're already running dual dehumidifiers 24/7 just to get rid of the humidity. I'd hate to think that I'm running a humidifier just across the room.
All those things aside however, it was the cost that startled me.
That brings me to my second idea, which I brought up long ago (mind you, this isn't my idea originally; Zenjirou originally did it first). The idea is to use an aftermarket car radiator -- not a typically small one; no: a large one. It would be something like this, for example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-87-88-89-ACCORD-KOYO-HI-FLOW-NEW-RADIATOR-JDM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33730QQitemZ8022210 177QQrdZ1. A Koyo radiator. Don't be fooled by the $79 Buy It Now price. Look at the shipping: $25. That makes $104 total. Well, I could buy it at my local car parts store for just $4 more, and have the satisfaction of getting it immediately.
And a radiator is-a radiator. Each PVC component is-not-a bong. You've got to build it, which I realize is part of the fun, but for $108, I could have a working product; perhaps I need to screw in a pair of 1/2" ID barbs, but that's child's play.
$108 and I can get absolute silence.
$123 and I can get a waterfall effect.
What do you guys think?