Simple Bottom-stem Diffuser

[Mahir]

I like what I see!

Nice illustration as well man!

-Mahir

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

Thats nice work thanks for that!!!

-H&S

[JonDubya]

What if you get a piece of plastic flex hose and put it on the end of the stem, plug the end and drill holes in it? You'd have smaller holes but of greater quantity, ideally doing a closer representation of the buyable diffuser.

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

What if you get a piece of plastic flex hose and put it on the end of the stem, plug the end and drill holes in it? You'd have smaller holes but of greater quantity, ideally doing a closer representation of the buyable diffuser.

Thats not a bad idea either , just the problem with that is that one can't go back if you don't like it,where as bye deltr's design you can always take away the straws and go back to what you had if you don't like it!!!

-H&S

[stryet]

Nice take on the diffuser, but how does it hit?

[JonDubya]

What if you get a piece of plastic flex hose and put it on the end of the stem, plug the end and drill holes in it? You'd have smaller holes but of greater quantity, ideally doing a closer representation of the buyable diffuser.

Thats not a bad idea either , just the problem with that is that one can't go back if you don't like it,where as bye deltr's design you can always take away the straws and go back to what you had if you don't like it!!!

-H&S

You can go back...you're just drilling through the plastic hose which is just slid onto the end of the stem.  100% reversible.

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

What if you get a piece of plastic flex hose and put it on the end of the stem, plug the end and drill holes in it? You'd have smaller holes but of greater quantity, ideally doing a closer representation of the buyable diffuser.

Thats not a bad idea either , just the problem with that is that one can't go back if you don't like it,where as bye deltr's design you can always take away the straws and go back to what you had if you don't like it!!!

-H&S

You can go back...you're just drilling through the plastic hose which is just slid onto the end of the stem. 100% reversible.

Right sorry I stand corrected I did not read the first bit proporly. Sorry , my bad!!!

-H&S

[Calcartman]

Hot smoke plus thin plastic equals melt.
not for me.

[VDDZ]

What about hotter smoke and fiberglass? Plus no water and you directly inhale the smoke less than four inches from where it burns? I've never seen a cigarette melt its filter so I doubt hookah can melt plastic that's submerged in ice water;

[JonDubya]

Hot smoke plus thin plastic equals melt.
not for me.

Plastic is submerged in water, won't melt.

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

Hot smoke plus thin plastic equals melt.
not for me.

Plastic is submerged in water, won't melt.

Yeah Exactly it will be cooled nicely by the water....I think it is a pretty good idea!!!

-H&S

[john_smith]

Would simply poking holes in the sides of the straw increase the effect also?

Plus, has any one tried this yet? Any improvements?

[JonDubya]

Would simply poking holes in the sides of the straw increase the effect also?

Plus, has any one tried this yet? Any improvements?

deltr has done the 3 straw config, read his post.

As for poking holes, the quick answer is no.  This is due to the air following the path of least resistance, i.e. the largest opening.  That's why with my concept you'd have to plug the end to prevent air from just going out the bottom.

[Dunkel!]

Would simply poking holes in the sides of the straw increase the effect also?

Plus, has any one tried this yet? Any improvements?

I did the same design as deltr but the straws I bought were smaller in diameter so it took 4. So mine had 9 holes. Worked pretty well. It was my first home smoke, from my new hookah. I got some nice clouds going, but I'm sure they will get bigger! LOL

[Magamba Satta]

I would be leery of using plastic that is not microwave safe. Even though the plastic will not melt, as it is totally submerged in (ice) water, the smoke can still extract toxins from the plastic unless it is indeed a heat-safe material. I would personally worry about flavour taints also.

As for cigarettes not melting their filters, I believe that is because the filters are usually constructed from some sort of fibre, possibly cotton-based, as opposed to plastic. One will note that a cigarette filter will burn if the smoker continues to smoke after the tobacco is gone. I also smoke pipes and the "plastic" that is used for pipe bits and mouthpieces is either constructed of amber (in olden times), vulcanized rubber, or lucite--all three sound and non-toxic as well as impervious to smoke and reasonable amounts of heat.

Just a thought, trying to look out for the other diy-ers. Maybe use clay? It could easily be used to create a shape just like the product and full of holes, then glazed to make it waterproof. Just make sure the clay itself is also non-toxic.

-m.s.

[john_smith]

The beauty of this is in the simplicity though. Straws can be obtained much easier than a kiln and clay;)

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

The beauty of this is in the simplicity though. Straws can be obtained much easier than a kiln and clay;)

Exactly the point, is that this DIY diffuser is easy and simpleto make and it is a budget being at 40 cents!!!

-H&S

[john_smith]

Or zero if you grab a handfull of straws from your local Macdonalds or any other fast food store.

[JonDubya]

The beauty of this is in the simplicity though. Straws can be obtained much easier than a kiln and clay;)

I have access to a full art studio Glass, Clay, Textile, Canvas, Metals....mom works for an art school

Back OT: Magamba:

The temperatures that the plastics reach will be nowhere close enough for them to begin emitting toxins.  People put straws in HOT (200*+) coffee and they are not harmed.  Same concept here.

The principle of microwave safe plastics has no bearing on this subject.  You're combining two totally different reactions into the same one, which is not happening.

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

The beauty of this is in the simplicity though. Straws can be obtained much easier than a kiln and clay;)

I have access to a full art studio Glass, Clay, Textile, Canvas, Metals....mom works for an art school

Back OT: Magamba:

The temperatures that the plastics reach will be nowhere close enough for them to begin emitting toxins. People put straws in HOT (200*+) coffee and they are not harmed. Same concept here.

The principle of microwave safe plastics has no bearing on this subject. You're combining two totally different reactions into the same one, which is not happening.

Exactly so it is safe, don't worry. now go steel some straws from macy D's and make a diffuser for *FREE*

-H&S

[deltr]

I havent tried blocking the ends of the straws and poking holes because I really feel like it would restrict the airflow. Right now i get no restriction in airflow and no reduction in flavor or smoke thickness. I will, however, drill some 1/8" holes in some straws tomorrow at work and then try the idea out. pinholes wont cut it imo.

[JonDubya]

I havent tried blocking the ends of the straws and poking holes because I really feel like it would restrict the airflow. Right now i get no restriction in airflow and no reduction in flavor or smoke thickness. I will, however, drill some 1/8" holes in some straws tomorrow at work and then try the idea out. pinholes wont cut it imo.

That's correct, they'd have to be at the smallest, 1/8"-1/16", 1/8" is probably the optimal size.  Are you going to cross-drill through and through the straw?  If you can, post pics before you assemble it.

[deltr]

I'll be doing the holes in this pattern

[deltr]

Well, I just tried to drill holes. the straw keeps collapsing and ends up wrapping around the drill bit. Mission failed? Maybe ill use the plasma cutter for this...

[deltr]

Okay I used a nail+hammer and was able to pull it off. I used a hot knife to melt the end of the straw shut. too bad I only took 3 straws into work and messed up 2 of them drilling :[