Lets see, I've been puffin for 35 years and my favorite weapon of mass destruction is a one toke bong. Although I've had more bongs over the years than I can count, it all started with bamboo. All smokers from the 60s and 70s remember these well. I thought I'd trip out a few of the younger rippers and post a how-to. I welcome your thoughts, critiques and memories (if you're old enough) of your bamboo experience.
Yes, bamboo makes a great bong. The first thing I do is get a hack saw and head for the forest.
If this patch were private property, I'd ask the owner for a sample. This particular patch is on federal park land. I love ripping off the government! Once in the patch I find I'm in luck, an already chopped pole is lying on the ground. I won't have to kill an entire tree to make my bong.
It was raining when I got to the patch to I quickly cut a piece for the chamber. Then I found the proper size piece for the bowl and stem. Then I ran fast back to the car. Here's what I came back with. I like to get the big piece with both "knuckles." The stem only needs one knuckle.
In my haste, I stripped a little of the outer skin. This not only compromises the physical integrity of the bong, it makes it look shitty. Not to worry, the damage is minimal and I have a few cosmetic tricks to take care of this problem.
The best bamboo bongs I've every laid eyes on were made from a handsaw and a pocket knife. For the benefit of this how-to I'm gonna cheat and use power tools. Here's a band saw with a couple of jigs to make the work go a little faster. The bottom jig makes a 90 degree cut with the blade and the v block holds round stock for cutting.
The first thing I'll do is saw off the unnecessary trimmings.
Now I'll make the cut that will be the mouthpiece of the bong. I lined the saw blade to within 1/16" of the knuckle (scrap side) and made the cut.
It's about now that I'm reminded of Norm ("Nom") Abrams and "The New Yankee Workshop." In reality, I'm more like "This Old House" where Bob Vila makes a cut and ruins the project, lol. I kid, no offense to the Bob Vila fans in the audience. Does Bob Vila really have any fans? Here's the cut.
For the base, I made the cut a half inch or so below the knuckle (scrap side.)
Here's the node with the scrap ends cut off. It stands up nice and level. A cheap plastic miter box from the hardware store and a hand saw will do a good job if jigs aren't available.
After cutting the "bowl" end of the stem, I cut the opposite end at an angle. This helps keep the stem from bottoming out on the floor of the bong.
Bamboo is fibrous and the nice shiny outer skin is easy to peal at the ends. To prevent this I beveled the saw cuts with a sanding disc. Same thing with the stem.
I used a 3/8" twist bit to remove the soft core of the bowl. Then I used a 1/16" bit to drill the ash hole in the bowl.
Now it's time to cut a hole into the mouthpiece knuckle. Some folks just make their saw cut inside the knuckle. I like to whittle through the knuckle for strength and comfort against my mouth. I also thinks it looks better.
I used the tip of a sharp knife blade to gouge a hole. Notice how this stuff crumbles. I pull the knife edge along the bamboo and this reduces further crumbling.
As I cut the mouthpiece hole larger, I'm able to remove the paper like membrane from inside the node. I love attempting to get the entire membrane out in one piece. I wasn't so lucky with this one. I'll use an old toothbrush to remove any remaining pieces.
Yes, bamboo makes a great bong. The first thing I do is get a hack saw and head for the forest.
If this patch were private property, I'd ask the owner for a sample. This particular patch is on federal park land. I love ripping off the government! Once in the patch I find I'm in luck, an already chopped pole is lying on the ground. I won't have to kill an entire tree to make my bong.
It was raining when I got to the patch to I quickly cut a piece for the chamber. Then I found the proper size piece for the bowl and stem. Then I ran fast back to the car. Here's what I came back with. I like to get the big piece with both "knuckles." The stem only needs one knuckle.
In my haste, I stripped a little of the outer skin. This not only compromises the physical integrity of the bong, it makes it look shitty. Not to worry, the damage is minimal and I have a few cosmetic tricks to take care of this problem.
The best bamboo bongs I've every laid eyes on were made from a handsaw and a pocket knife. For the benefit of this how-to I'm gonna cheat and use power tools. Here's a band saw with a couple of jigs to make the work go a little faster. The bottom jig makes a 90 degree cut with the blade and the v block holds round stock for cutting.
The first thing I'll do is saw off the unnecessary trimmings.
Now I'll make the cut that will be the mouthpiece of the bong. I lined the saw blade to within 1/16" of the knuckle (scrap side) and made the cut.
It's about now that I'm reminded of Norm ("Nom") Abrams and "The New Yankee Workshop." In reality, I'm more like "This Old House" where Bob Vila makes a cut and ruins the project, lol. I kid, no offense to the Bob Vila fans in the audience. Does Bob Vila really have any fans? Here's the cut.
For the base, I made the cut a half inch or so below the knuckle (scrap side.)
Here's the node with the scrap ends cut off. It stands up nice and level. A cheap plastic miter box from the hardware store and a hand saw will do a good job if jigs aren't available.
After cutting the "bowl" end of the stem, I cut the opposite end at an angle. This helps keep the stem from bottoming out on the floor of the bong.
Bamboo is fibrous and the nice shiny outer skin is easy to peal at the ends. To prevent this I beveled the saw cuts with a sanding disc. Same thing with the stem.
I used a 3/8" twist bit to remove the soft core of the bowl. Then I used a 1/16" bit to drill the ash hole in the bowl.
Now it's time to cut a hole into the mouthpiece knuckle. Some folks just make their saw cut inside the knuckle. I like to whittle through the knuckle for strength and comfort against my mouth. I also thinks it looks better.
I used the tip of a sharp knife blade to gouge a hole. Notice how this stuff crumbles. I pull the knife edge along the bamboo and this reduces further crumbling.
As I cut the mouthpiece hole larger, I'm able to remove the paper like membrane from inside the node. I love attempting to get the entire membrane out in one piece. I wasn't so lucky with this one. I'll use an old toothbrush to remove any remaining pieces.
