HellCat Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Hey guys,I posted this in the how to fun house, but it wasn't getting much attention, so mods please forgive me. I need to know because I am building a hookah by the end of next week, so.... Like it says, what is a safe, cheap, and widely available tubing material for a DIY hookah stem? I was told that:PVC is a no-noBrass is a no-noGalvanized Steel is a no-noCopper is under heavy debate, so to be safe rather than sorry, no-noBorosilicate glass tubing is okay but IS NOT widely available (i.e. need to buy online)Stainless steel tubing is okay but IS NOT widely available (i.e. need to buy online)so... omg please tell me of a safe tubing for my stem that I can BUY LOCALLY (i.e. Home Depot, Lowes). I am at my wits end lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinite Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 aluminum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delSol_si Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 One material I can think of is PEX. I don't know if it is 100% safe or not, but I know it would be better than PVC. Lowes sells it. They use it for hot and cold water lines. I think it is rated to withstand up to 200 degrees of heat. Here are a couple links about it:http://www.ppfahome.org/pex/faqpex.htmlhttp://www.pexinfo.com/Again, I don't know for sure if this is safe to use or not, but I assume it would be better than PVC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjacksm Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Why is brass a no no? aren't a lot of pipes made out of Brass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookah hippie Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I would say brass its a little expensive but I think brass is shape I have a brass pipe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 brass is fine. OOH! yiou could make a hookah out of a bunch of brass plumbing connecters.or clay if you're handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Brass is safer than copper, which is quite safe. They are probably both incredibly safe. Check out stainless steel. Find a metal supply place near you and see if they sell retail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellCat Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 (edited) This is quoted from Forbe, an actual metal workerQUOTE Hello, I came across the forum when looking up Hookah information, and saw this thread. I am a metalsmith & blacksmith, and deal with metal safety on a daily basis. I am exposed to various metal vapors and dusts frequently, and have done quite a bit of research on my own.Brass should be avoided entirely. Brass is an alloy of copper, usually containing anywhere from 8-42% zinc. Zinc is extremely toxic. Metalsmiths frequently develop an illness called 'zinc fever' or the 'zinc shakes' from inhaling zinc fumes. While hookah coal probably will not reach a temperature to cause Brass to fume, it is still hot enough to cause oxidation. Zinc Oxides are corrosive, and can damage vital organs (asophagus, stomach, lungs) and in some cases cause death.For this reason, I would avoid using any brass parts near the coalIs aluminum safe though??? Edited August 24, 2009 by HellCat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 is anything safe? clay. clay and food grade glaze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Aluminum...I believe it to be safe, from what I've read from reliable sources in the matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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