New Hookah Owner Needing Some Help

[enjoikr3w]

Hey guys, I just got my very first hookah yesterday. Bought it off ebay for $70 total. Now I have a question. The part where the shaft meets the vase has a big gap. I've pushed it in as far as it can go however the gap is still there and the shaft can be wobbly because of that. So my question is, am I doin something wrong? or does the hookah just have the wrong rubber thing between the shaft and vase?

[billy]

I think its supposed to be like that, as long as it secures in place its fine.

[The King]

Mine has a gap too, as long as it's airtight it wont matter. Put your hand on top of your bowl(without the coal on haha) and breath through your hose, you should feel some suction on your hand

[cafesaden]

get the grommet wet and lube it up then shove it in!

[web250]

I wouldn't worry about it too much, so long as it's airtight

[yashman19]

get the grommet wet and lube it up then shove it in!

Quoted for truth. Wet grommets give so much more suction than dry rubber grommets.

Just from looking at your picture though, I'd say your grommet is too tight. If it were a tad slimmer, it would fit snuggly on your stem, and push all the way to the top, but since its a bit tight, and looks to be forced on, it isn't allowing you to push the stem all the way into the base, and thats the reason your gap is allowing your shaft to wobble.

Like everyone says, if its airtight I guess its not a big deal, but I'd try and look for a new grommet set. I'm sort of a perfectionist, and I like my hookahs stiff and sturdy

[hmpitags2006]

this has to be one of the dirtiest threads ever with the sexual inuendos (sp?)

[cemab4y]

You can purchase plumber's friction tape at a hardware store. Cut a piece and wrap it carefully around the grommet. It "grips" the glass of the water reservoir, and makes an occlusive seal. The seal is airtight, and also gives the stem more stability.