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Hookahsmithing 101: The Purge Valve


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The purge valve can be optimized for better flow by widening the orifice. This is achieved by drilling out the existing hole to a larger bore.
You will need a drill and a series of bits that start slightly larger than the existing hole and get slightly larger with each bit.
Starting with the smallest bit, line the bit up at the orifice as straight as you can so the angle of the hole will be maintained and the orifice will stay as concentric as possible (as shown)
[img]http://patriotnetwork.net/lakepics/hookahfix1.jpg[/img]
Drill out the hole with the smallest bit and repeat the same with the larger bits in succession till the hole lets the air pass as freely as you desire. I reccommend testing between each drilling. Be sure not to exceed the diameter of the hole beyond the size of your bearing.
While we are here, and the tools are out, I might as well polish the surface of the orifice. When the orifice is lathed out, sometimes the finish is a bit rough. which might lead to a very slight leak. Usually not... but Im anal like that.
To polish the orifice you will need a dremel or rotary tool, a polishing head and screw mandrel as well as some polishing compound (better known as Jewelers Rouge)
[img]http://patriotnetwork.net/lakepics/hookahfix2.jpg[/img]
You may need to shape the polishing head a bit to fit the orifice by chucking it up to the dremel and while running shape the head against a piece of sandpaper.
Next apply the compound to the polishing head and apply it too the orifice while the dremel is running. Dont use much force.... let the tool work.
[img]http://patriotnetwork.net/lakepics/hookahfix3.jpg[/img]
after you have polished the orifice it should be very shiney and the rough lathing lines removed.. or at least worked down a bit.
the finished product
[img]http://patriotnetwork.net/lakepics/hookahfix4.jpg[/img]
The process takes under 15 minutes...
Happy "smithin"
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