Glassblowersdirect.com - Affordable quality glass

BigDaddyVapor said:

I'm talking about the personal aspect you took, with my post(s).

Don't come at me. I'm not making it personal.

Nor am I blindly supporting him. Read my posts. I'm pretty damn clear AND fair to BOTH sides.

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"Don't come at me". Laughable! Cool your jets. If you were being so clear and fair then I doubt I would be getting PM's from people who feel differently but, I guess, don't want to ruffle your feathers for one reason or another. Anyhow, this is about GBD and their work. Not our disagreement. If you would like to start a dialogue about it via PM I am more than open to that.

kingofnull said:

Nobody is trashing Sam or GBD's rep. It's not like these are made up issues. I also don't think a 'pile-on' happened. The only people who reported issues are those who had them with their GBD bubbler. And for the record, I think all that information is valuable to consumers. It's certainly made me think twice about GBD, in spite of the positive press you and others have given.

I'm not saying I wouldn't buy from them in the future, it's just food for thought.

In any case, I think you're probably right and that if the issue was in the shop that it was probably isolated to one bad blower.

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I'm not saying I disagree with most of this. Show me where I do? I've yet to be rude to a single person. The only thing I've asked for is perspective. It is bringing out, every person that has had an issue and now some are even attacking me. So yeah.. There's quite a bit of "piling on" taking place.

There is no "Piling on". There is people giving their honest accounts of their experiences with Sam and GBD. I am very happy that not everyone is dealing with these issues. But, that being said, it has been my experience that Sam will deal with you until he decides you have become bothersome for some reason and then he will completely change his customer service methods. As with me when he decided it was good customer service to tell someone who has given him money for a product that he will no longer respond to my emails. All this after I was nothing but courteous and accepting of the faulty bubbler I originally received. It's just an unforgivable offense for someone who wants to earn my business. Therefore he lost it.

Yes, you've told us that. For like the 3rd time now.

I get it. I'm sure everyone else here gets it. You got hosed. I wish you much luck in finding a piece that has the quality you should rightfully expect, for your hard-earned dollar.

So you were saying about not piling on?

Maybe if you weren't so defensive. And would stop having to have the last word. Perhaps you wouldn't feel so "Piled on".

I've reviewed the last few posts and it seems to me that you are both better off just letting this go. If you must continue, do it in PMs because another post along these lines from either of you will earn an infraction.

pakalolo said:

I've reviewed the last few posts and it seems to me that you are both better off just letting this go. If you must continue, do it in PMs because another post along these lines from either of you will earn an infraction.

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That's what I asked for a couple posts ago :/ Thanks for the info Pak!

jambandphan03 said:

Looks like we came to a resolution, and Sam is going to replace it. I apologize for getting frustrated with the way things were being handled. I really do like this piece and it was gut wrenching to have to feel like things were going the wrong way all of a sudden. I am glad to have this smooth out, thanks BDV for the help! I'm going to rest... It's been an exhausting day...

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Just wanted to pass on that Sam contacted me about you tonight. He spoke kindly of you and even specifically said you "offered an olive branch" and stressed how relieved he was coming to a resolution with a "valued customer". Glad I could help out.

So... About GBD and the bubbler...

With the mouthpiece joint (on the can), does the mouthpiece sit in tight or have a slight wiggle while still being airtight?
Because I've got a piece (not a GBD piece) with one of those ring joints that's like I just described. I'm curious if my one is a lower quality joint, or if its just a feature of that style of joint.

Oh, also, does that style of joint have a name?

Wiggles and is airtight.

Frederick McGuire said:

So... About GBD and the bubbler...

With the mouthpiece joint (on the can), does the mouthpiece sit in tight or have a slight wiggle while still being airtight?
Because I've got a piece (not a GBD piece) with one of those ring joints that's like I just described. I'm curious if my one is a lower quality joint, or if its just a feature of that style of joint.

Oh, also, does that style of joint have a name?

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The MP has a slight wiggle to it. Mine came with a note saying that this was by design, so I think it is supposed to have play in it.

According to the piece of paper that came with the piece, its supposed to be loose like that. Why? I don't know. Really my only beef with the piece. I think I'll eventually ask him to do something like jam's 2ND one... or just welding the same shape piece/angle.

No idea what its called.

Well, that was quick
Cheers guys

Frederick McGuire said:

So... About GBD and the bubbler...

With the mouthpiece joint (on the can), does the mouthpiece sit in tight or have a slight wiggle while still being airtight?
Because I've got a piece (not a GBD piece) with one of those ring joints that's like I just described. I'm curious if my one is a lower quality joint, or if its just a feature of that style of joint.

Oh, also, does that style of joint have a name?

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There is a bit of wiggle room in the mouthpiece, which to me makes it easier to remove when the session is done. If it fit tight (like my downstem does) I would have problems removing it after each session and it would be more prone to break/crack. At least that is my non-factual opinion.

The wiggle room as describe doesn't affect the performance of this piece...the "S" shaped MP looks fresh...

Is the joint on the $60 bubbler 18.8mm?

HERBavore said:

Is the joint on the $60 bubbler 18.8mm?

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Which joint?

The Bowl downstem is 18mm but the mouthpiece joint is 14mm.

Tweak said:

Which joint?

The Bowl downstem is 18mm but the mouthpiece joint is 14mm.

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I meant the bowl downstem. Thanks for the reply, I think it would mate with an Underdog perfectly.

Frederick McGuire said:

So... About GBD and the bubbler...

With the mouthpiece joint (on the can), does the mouthpiece sit in tight or have a slight wiggle while still being airtight?

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Mine is tight but hasn't given me any trouble, as far as being too tight. I've also decided I prefer using the supplied downstem, vs. just using with the downtube, although I'm tempted to upgrade the downstem with one from Mike/Oregonglassblower.

Well, I've had a few sessions with my first water piece and want to post a few impressions and (of course) questions. All sessions using hand-held SSV setup on a table.

During the beginning of the bowl, there still is harshness that can bring on coughing. However, only from bigger rips at higher temperatures. After several pulls though it settles into a very nice zone that is smooth, tastes nice and can deliver big. Except for the loss of flavour in the first few draws, the experience through water is better all-around: better taste, light, smooth and potent. (Plus I'm able for the first time to see the vapour production). I'm appreciating the design of this bub over time - the light, thin, small-bore detachable mp makes sense for vapour. It gives it a bit of scientific table-top feel as opposed to something geared to hand-held casual sofa use.

I'm still very much learning and sometimes have to draw for a long time to achieve the milkiness I've seen on videos here. My first session it seemed that there was too much volume (drag?) and required very long draws. But I'm beginning to get a handle on it. I haven't yet pursued any white-walling (by cranking the SSV heat I assume) as I'm enjoying how often it delivers more and bigger hits at lower SSV temperatures. So, it seems to have increased my efficiency. Dialling in a low temperature for me (12.30-1) I'm getting decent hits and am surprised to see how green my bowl remains. Perhaps this is due to my T-break or to a better than average strain. I'd like to learn how to do big hits with relatively short draws (not that I expect to match videos here done by Jedi masters armed with Clouds and top-shelf).

I'm filling the water perhaps ¼" above the highest slits of the glassblowersdirect lo-pro downstem. My bottom slits of that downstem are just above the top of the showerhead cuts. The rest of the downstem slits are above the showerhead.

Until I make a purchase decision (debating between oregonglassblowers or 7th floor for the 14 and 18mm SSV water tool adapters), my setup is still a big "ghetto" - jamming the SSV hose into the 14mm downstem. I do need to order the glass adapters soon because I'm applying too much pressure to the downstem seal as I do have to jam the hose to get a good seal. So, Tweak how are you managing with Mike's (oregonglassblowers) adapter? You mentioned ordering the 12mm for the SSV hose instead of 9.5mm ...

I will also be ordering Mike's showerhead downstem.

I might also put together a taller setup geared toward sofa and coffeetable use: an angled adapter or a different mp. Perhaps some hands-free SSV setup - spherical ground glass and clip or just the standard wand and hands-free attachment. Thoughts?

My glass mp and downstem fittings are tight - no wiggle once a bit of force or twisting is applied. They do have wiggle if I just lightly insert them, but I think they settle into a tight coupling.

Some miscellaneous questions: Is it better health-wise to remove the downstem and mp between sessions to allow the condensation to evaporate?
Do those with whips generally buy 2 whip+wand setups, 1 for water and 1 w/o? I expect I'll feel cheap enough after all this to go with a single setup using the 14 or 18mm water adapter as the mp for non-bub vape-ing.

chimpybits said:

Well, I've had a few sessions with my first water piece and want to post a few impressions and (of course) questions. All sessions using hand-held SSV setup on a table.


I'm still very much learning and sometimes have to draw for a long time to achieve the milkiness I've seen on videos here. My first session it seemed that there was too much volume (drag?) and required very long draws. But I'm beginning to get a handle on it.

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I have found that repeated sucking on the mouthpiece as if you were siphoning off gas from your dad's car late at night fills the can full of vapor with 0 (zero) pull on the lungs. Siphon away and see if that works for you.

MrNorml said:

I have found that repeated sucking on the mouthpiece as if you were siphoning off gas from your dad's car late at night fills the can full of vapor with 0 (zero) pull on the lungs. Siphon away and see if that works for you.

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OK, I'm trying this out.

chimpybits said:

So, Tweak how are you managing with Mike's (oregonglassblowers) adapter? You mentioned ordering the 12mm for the SSV hose instead of 9.5mm ...

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9.5mm is plenty. I think 12 would be too much. Mine fits perfect in a new hose, but if the hose has been stretched (like via a mouthpiece), you have to shove it in a bit further in.

IMO, if your going to order a downstem from Mike, you might as well save on shipping and get his adapter. I'm sure he would change the angle of the bend to whatever you would prefer.

I've been using the SSV adapter more lately, but that is because of how my SSV is set-up.



The shortest distance is a straight line, so to use the least amount of hose you have to get the bubbler's top even with the SSV's Heater cover. The hose in the image is only 7.5" long. This eliminates much of the priming in takes to milk your bong, I highly recommend it.

Tweak said:

9.5mm is plenty. I think 12 would be too much. Mine fits perfect in a new hose, but if the hose has been stretched (like via a mouthpiece), you have to shove it in a bit further in.

IMO, if your going to order a downstem from Mike, you might as well save on shipping and get his adapter. I'm sure he would change the angle of the bend to whatever you would prefer.

I've been using the SSV adapter more lately, but that is because of how my SSV is set-up.

The shortest distance is a straight line, so to use the least amount of hose you have to get the bubbler's top even with the SSV's Heater cover. The hose in the image is only 7.5" long. This eliminates much of the priming in takes to milk your bong, I highly recommend it.

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Hmm, this is interesting. Less priming hmm.
- ASIDE (but in caps ; ) I'm still ghetto-rigged - 17" (7th Floor) hose direct into downstem. My hand-held SSV and bub sit quite close on a high-ish table. It's certainly not comfortable. Dealing with the short(ish), inflexible(ish) hose while quite firmly pushing the hose into the downstem at quite and odd angle and with sufficient force while doing the hand-held wand thing while trying to learn vape-bonging certainly wouldn't be everybody's fave way to hit it. I can see I need the adapter, some experimenting with whip length and perhaps flexibility (silicone). Also, perhaps a SSV ground glass option (say, spherical gg with clip).

SO, what you got going there? sgg or hh? silicone? Do you hit it as we are seeing it there? Less priming, interesting. hmm.
p.s. I like your basement T\/\/3@|<

Standard wand, stock SSV tubing, with 14mm SSV WPA

The adapter just aids in a much quicker inserting/removing of the tube. I just tried mine without the water pipe adapter, straight tube, and it works fine and I have plenty of room to adjust.

I hit it the same as you describe, holding the wand up to the heater cover and one hand on the tube to remove it from the bubbler.

Try putting some books or a box underneath your SSV so it sits higher and requires less bending of the hose.