Glass Balls: Choosing & Sourcing

[Jill NYC]

I have been on a quest to get some glass balls to add to a few of my stems for extra cooling & in one instance to add a little air resistance (TM).

When searching for Boro Balls (borosilicate) I find you can only buy them in large quantities from science lab sources. And I for one, do not need 3 pounds of 6mm glass balls!


2 Questions:

So, here are some other terms I see out there that I can buy in much smaller amounts. Can anyone out there tell me which (if any) are safe to use and which terms are red flags?
Quartz
Boiling Stones
Lime Soda


Where are you all getting them from? Is there any good sources out there that sell less than 100 balls for a reasonable price?

 

[Shit Snacks]

Best to buy the quartz balls from beracky on amazon (they have rubies and sapphire too)

https://www.amazon.com/BERACKY-6-5mm-Quartz-Beads-Insert/dp/B07ZDPNTSZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=1NAJNJVQ7JWKW&keywords=beracky&qid=1655147447&sprefix=bera%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-6

They also have SiC balls, offer a variety of sizes (I use a mix of 6 mm and 4 mm for cooling stems) and quantity options...

I saw possibly cheaper courts balls from this seller too, but I don't know how reputable:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_phone_search_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A05476933H4JZYZJM5QB&url=%2F20-Pack-Quartz-Pearl-Pearls%2Fdp%2FB08L89DMSG%2Fref%3Dmp_s_a_1_1_sspa%3Fcrid%3D1NAJNJVQ7JWKW%26keywords%3Dberacky%26qid%3D1655147447%26sprefix%3Dbera%252Caps%252C156%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1655147447&id=5851263698808568&widgetName=sp_phone_search_atf

 

[ClusFcuk]

My latest purchase, JackH 27% THC, is much stronger than I thought, I just posted about the different materials D-Link offers, at ANY price point

Shop By Material - Crystalline SiC - D-Nation

d-nail.com

 

[feralcomprehension]

@VGOODIEZ has glass and ruby balls.

Nothing personal

 

[sickmanfraud]

Has anyone tried putting glass or ruby balls into the bottom of the Tinymight cooling stem?

I would like more resistance (and Cooling) but I am concerned that I could break the stem itself.

 

[howie105]

last time I sourced soda lime balls I used REFC Labs.

​

 

[pxl_jockey]

Has anyone tried putting glass or ruby balls into the bottom of the Tinymight cooling stem?

I would like more resistance (and Cooling) but I am concerned that I could break the stem itself.

I’ve heard some replace the metal bits with ruby in their cooling units, not just loose in the stem but with a couple of screens you could definitely experiment. The balls just need a bit of room to expand, if they’re packed too tightly you run the risk of too much thermal expansion/breakage.

 

[sickmanfraud]

f they’re packed too tightly you run the risk of too much thermal expansion/breakage.

very good point. Thanks

I was asking if anyone had put Ruby or other balls into the Long dimpled 3-d cooling stem?

 

[oldfool]

They also have SiC balls, offer a variety of sizes (I use a mix of 6 mm and 4 mm for cooling stems) and quantity options...

Pricy. Any reason not to use Si3N4 Silicon Nitride balls?

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Si...ion+Balls&qid=1655213802&s=industrial&sr=1-10

 

[Jill NYC]

Has anyone tried putting glass or ruby balls into the bottom of the Tinymight cooling stem?

I would like more resistance (and Cooling) but I am concerned that I could break the stem itself.

Testing it out right now with 6mm ”boiling stones” I got on Amazon.
seems to add a little resistance and cooling. Time will tell, but I think it is a great cheaper alternative to buying a new stem.

I think I need to remove a few based on comments here.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Pricy. Any reason not to use Si3N4 Silicon Nitride balls?

https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Si...ion+Balls&qid=1655213802&s=industrial&sr=1-10

Sorry I actually don't have any experience with either at all! Only the quartz and ruby...

 

[Summer]

Shop By Material - Crystalline SiC - D-Nation

d-nail.com

But they don't say how many balls the package contains.

 

[RustyOldNail]

But they don't say how many balls the package contains.

That usually means JUST ONE. The only thing I buy from them are the $17/one PTFE Joint Protectors. Prices are too rich for me, and I’m sure I wouldn’t notice any taste difference from vaping off rocks from the planet mars, coming soon I’m sure!

 

[Jill NYC]

But they don't say how many balls the package contains.

Yeah, @RustyOldNail is right - just one. But if you buy in bulk (2+) you get a discount!

I am personally looking for the $15 range to include 50+! (Many have a lot more than that, which is why I was looking for any red flag terms I should avoid)

 

[Shit Snacks]

Yeah, @RustyOldNail is right - just one. But if you buy in bulk (2+) you get a discount!

I am personally looking for the $15 range to include 50+! (Many have a lot more than that, which is why I was looking for any red flag terms I should avoid)

I don't think you can pay that low for that many, boro is cheaper than quartz, but I've never seen that few offered at a time...

 

[Jill NYC]

I don't think you can pay that low for that many, boro is cheaper than quartz, but I've never seen that few offered at a time...

The link you provided above has 48 for $9.

 

[Shit Snacks]

The link you provided above has 48 for $9.

Oh, haha and those are quartz, sorry I don't even know why I replied

 

[RustyOldNail]

Get the QUARTZ!

 

[sickmanfraud]

I have an additional caution to add to the idea of pulling glass (or other material) in the bottom of the long 3D cooling stem.

When emptying the basket screen carefully remove the AVB without dislodging the screen. If you tap the stem against the inside of an AVB container you risk hot glass balls flying around.

Also, here is a link to Aliexpress https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004035467066.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.74ea3c00e5slvb&mp=1

10 6 mm Ruby balls for $1.99.

 

[Cheebsy]

Being used for cooling I don't think there is a worry of expansion. In a heater on the other hand they are subjected to much more energy.

My glass TM cu is packed tightly, it relies on the tightness to keep the balls in place. It's been like this for months and I haven't damaged anything yet