cincyhook Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 hey all, new to the hookah forums. i had a cheap one before and just got my new KM today. it's 38" and awesome. my question is where the stem connects to the bottom. the gasket leaves a big space and air leaks through it. i was wondering if this was normal or should the space be closed up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1v3th3ad Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 the space should be closed... you could get a new gasket/grommet for cheap from one of the many online vendors also you could use wet paper towels as a new gasket, its worked for me my friend uses hemp wrapped around where the gasket goes for his and it works beautifully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieHC Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 You should not have a gap for air to pass through. I suggest you take of the rubber and put some electrical tape around the hub ring then refit the gasket over it to make it air tight. Good luck [quote name='cincyhook' timestamp='1300572278' post='502102'] hey all, new to the hookah forums. i had a cheap one before and just got my new KM today. it's 38" and awesome. my question is where the stem connects to the bottom. the gasket leaves a big space and air leaks through it. i was wondering if this was normal or should the space be closed up? [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincyhook Posted March 19, 2011 Author Share Posted March 19, 2011 hub ring? sorry, im new to this stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardius Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 i'd say use like tephlon tape or plumbing tape instead of electrical tape. take the grommet, that is on the stem ( on the bottom ) and where that is on the stem, put tape there to swell it out a bit. then when you put the grommet back on, it'll be stretched out a little more and will fit the vase better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincyhook Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 the grommet is too big and wont fit all the way down and does not fit snug. can i just take the grommet out of the equation all together and use a man made gasket (elec tape or teflon). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joytron Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 They should have checked before selling it to you. Call up the vendor and ask for a new one to be shipped out to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Personally. I would do electrical tape on the stem and force the grommet OVER the electrical tape. If you electric tape the grommet it becomes cone shaped after a while and doesn't make a nice seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 The gasket is too big, guys... At least, that's what I gather from his posts. What you can do now is electrical tape or damp paper towel strip while you try to find a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1v3th3ad Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 what incubus/chris said when I have a grommet fail I use wet paper towels or duct tape...but my friend uses hemp and it is perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassouni Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Wet paper towel is the ultimate grommet. I prefer them to silicone or rubber gaskets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryno Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Wet paper towel would work fine. You could also sand down your gasket some to make it fit. I had to do that with mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vendetta_revived Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I agree with others, use a wet paper towel for now and call up the vendor to get a replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noodle Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 [quote name='r1v3th3ad' timestamp='1300573053' post='502103'] the space should be closed... you could get a new gasket/grommet for cheap from one of the many online vendors also you could use wet paper towels as a new gasket, its worked for me my friend uses hemp wrapped around where the gasket goes for his and it works beautifully [/quote] Using plain hemp is probably not a good idea. Water can swell the fibers and crack the vase. He should run the hemp through beeswax before winding it on. It's the same sort of thing done to seal the joints of woodwind instruments that don't use cork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king_lunchb0x Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 shop around your local stores there has to be a few places that has grommets (if your not getting a free one from the original vendor). Kinda sounds dumb but bring your hookah and ask the clerk if u can see if they grommet will fit or not. most I think would understand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antouwan Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 welcome. most km's are a size 30 (most syrians are a size 26)...whatever the hell that means - but they are. some of the grommets have a 30 (or a backwards 30) stamped in them to denote the size. if you spot a place that may sell that kind of stuff (like a smoke shop, or even better - a middle eastern grocery) drop in and take a look through their gasket bin (they may have a container with a lot of gaskets in it) and see if you spot one with a 30 on it. if they have bases there, you may be able to grab some gaskets and see if they fit in the bases (if none of them are marked) ...but all of that is just parenthetical... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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