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How Do I Fix A Wobbly Base?


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Hey guys,

Just got my first KM last night, a gorgeous black trimetal, and it smokes like a dream you have when you're 13. The only hiccup is that the base is significantly bowed, and doesn't sit anywhere near flat. I'd say the difference is a couple of millimeters from one side to the other, to say the least.

I had a few ideas for how to address this, but I thought I would also solicit ideas from the gurus here. My ideas first:

1) Use modelling clay to build up the shallower parts of the vase. Downside? Ghetto as hell on a gorgeous hookah.
2) Have a glass worker basically sand the thing flat on a belt sander. There's enough glass on the bottom to make this idea feasible, but I'm not sure where I would even begin.
3) Make a custom stand for the vase with an epoxy receiver mold, contoured to the dimensions of the glass as it is. I've never done anything like this before, but it should work, no?

Any other ideas, or existing solutions, are very welcome. I've got enough scorch marks on my floor already to last a lifetime smile.gif
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QUOTE (mattarios2 @ Apr 22 2009, 09:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
just put some tape (electrical tape doesn't come off easily, so i recommend using that) on the bottom of the vase that is uneven,



problem solved.


I gave that a shot last night, Matt, but unfortunately it's a little too misshapen to work well. 32 layers in, it was still pretty wobbly. My stopgap is to electrical tape some folded paper on the base to stabilise.

I'll give your protectors a shot, mush. Thanks for the link!
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I'm with Mush on three. You could use modeling clay but I would use two part plumbers puddy which is like JB Weld but cheaper, smooth it a bit in the base. Then take wax paper and lay that over the top and press the base lightly making sure to keep it level. Pull the vase out, remove the wax paper and let the puddy harden. Try and get a reference between the vase and the base so you don't have to fumble around to get in it place right each time.
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My MZ has an extremely wobbly base. What I did was use some brochures I found that were made out of heavy paper/card stock. Ironically I think one of them was an anti smoking brochure... Anyway take the brochures and put them under the edge that is higher on the base. Then cut around the vase with an x-acto knife or razor. put the pieces into the base protector lined up with where they need to be on the base. Work pretty well for me but occasionally needs to be adjusted.

Hope that made since.
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QUOTE (Capt. Morgan @ Apr 22 2009, 12:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hope that made since.


Yeah, I see what you're getting at. It's similar to my current "tape some paper on it" plan, but with the base protector serving as "tape".

I picked up a base protector as per Mush's link, but I've always wanted a nice custom stand for a hookah anyways, and now I have a hookah that deserves one, so I'm going to explore the epoxy mold in a heavy box avenue and see how that works out for me. Wish me luck!
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Hers's two suggestions:

1. Call them and return it, get a new jar/hookah. Don't let them play the "Handmade quality varies" card for what you payed for it in relation to what sending you a replacement jar will cost them.

2. Get a hammer, preferably a claw hammer, but a ball-peen will work...
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