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If you have a 10mm joint and can't fit a pencil inside, other options include the ink reservoir of a pen or you can maybe tape some toothpicks together in a pinch.
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Count how many pennies fit from the tip of the pencil to your mark and multiply by 19 to get an approximate measurement (remember to subtract 1 inch or 25 mm). These joints are usually one inch long, so you'll want to subtract that from the measurement you took from your pencil to get the perfect length.ĭon't have a ruler? Remember that pennies are 19mm wide. Keep in mind that downstem measurements typically don't include the length of the glass ground joint. Now, to measure your bong downstem size, measure from the tip of the pencil to that mark. Make a mark on the side of the pencil where it exits the joint. Ideally, it would hit the water should the pipe be full. Insert the pencil into the female ground joint of your bong so the tip hovers about ½” above the bottom. Learning how to measure a downstem includes the length. If it covers almost all of the penny, it's 18mm. If it covers about ¾ of the penny, it's 14mm. If your joint covers a small fraction of the penny, it's 10mm. Need to measure bong downstem sizes for a male joint? Similar sizing applies. If it fits about halfway, it's an 18mm joint. If the penny fits in about ¼ of the way, it's a 14mm joint. If you can barely get a side of the penny into the joint, it's 10mm (or if you can't slide a pencil into it). Start with the female ground joint of your bong. You're going to use your coin to figure out your joint size. Step 2: Check Your JointĪ penny is almost exactly 19mm in diameter. Your pencil and coin are a key part of how to measure a downstem. (Try your couch cushions for these.) Bong downstem sizes are fairly straightforward: the most common are 10mm, 14mm, and 18mm. If you don't have either of those, get a pencil and a penny. The most important piece to have is, obviously, your bong.
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This step is easy - you don't need many supplies. No need to fear! If you've got a new bong or a recently broken older one, here's our step-by-step guide for how to measure a downstem to get the perfect new bowl piece. They're the bit that reaches down into the belly of your pipe and gives you that all-important airflow to filter and cool your smoke. Downstems are an essential part of any bong.
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