Hookah Base Question

[knotgreen]

Hey, everyone! I'm really enjoying my new KM, but have a question regarding the stem and base.

It is very difficult to slide them stem into the base. I've read that it will likely take a dozen or so uses (not quite there) before it slides in easier, but I'm wondering how flush the metal of the hookah should be with the base. As you can see from the photo, there is a gap.

This isn't affecting usability whatsoever. I'm just curious if this is normal or not.

Thanks!

[Teganv]

That looks to be about the same as when I had a KM. I couldn't get it to fit all the way on, but I am pretty sure thats fine. Like you said and I have experienced it doesn't seem to effect smoke so, I don't think there is a problem.

[Pavo21]

its totally ok if it doesn't sit alllll the way down but. wetting the gasket before trying to put it on the vase will make it easier to put on. also if its semi difficult to put the steam into the vase thats good it means you will have a strong seal and no leaks.

man this was hard to reply to without setting up people for so many dirty puns.

"thats what"
-She

[Skoozle]

I had a hookah like that. The gasket never softened up or got easier to put in. I would always wet itr to get it in but would have to step on the base to pull it out after I was done. I wsa always worried about breaking the base doing that.
You need a different gasket. One like this:
[url="http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/45515-ribbed-vase-gasket/"][u][font="Segoe Print"][size="3"][color="#0000ff"][font="Segoe Print"][size="3"][color="#0000ff"][font="Segoe Print"][size="3"][color="#0000ff"]http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/45515-ribbed-vase-gasket/[/color][/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/color][/size][/font][/u][/url]

or you could sand down the one you have, but I've never tried that so I can't say how well it will work. I just use ribbed silicone gaskets on everything.

[EternalSoil]

See my signature...

Also, I STILL have to use a bit of vegetable oil to get it to go in.