Cheap High Quality Bubbler

[Herr_Dampf]

When I compare my Blaze HC to the both the self import HC's I own, the Blaze always wins.
Maybe you are lucky and get a somewhat straight HC, but both the pieces I own have crooked HCs. Due to this, those pieces have to be held at an awkward angle to get the HC to fire at least kinda evenly. Otherwise, only about a quater of the holes seem to function on both my pieces, the only difference is on wich side, depending on the angle of the HC.
The Blaze HC, while still chinese glass, has a way better worked HC and fires evenly and smoothly.

 

[Anonymouse]

http://www.ozbongs.com.au/DhOP-BMF-Hand-Bubbler-CLR/

I have one of these (after it was posted in this thread ages back), and it's probably my most-used piece these days, just because I like watching the "bubble cam". This isn't a perfect piece; there's a lot I'd change about it; but for AU$35 it functions and it functions well, and offers some relatively unique ergonomics. If you live in Australia it's a no-brainer. Actually, if you live in Aus, quite a lot of the "DhOP" branded stuff on that store is a compelling buy. The only thing stopping me buying more is that the way this thread is going, I'm sure we'll eventually discover the Chinese source and then be able to pick 'em up at half that price again. I've seen several of the "DhOP" ash-catchers that sell for $40 on that site come up in this thread for under $20 on DHGate, for example.

The remote-viewing is great for vaping, as vapers don't have to stare at a bowl of goodies they're foolishly immolating, so we're free to enjoy the action happening in the can and the visual feedback as to vapour density it provides (plus the ability to see smoke from accidental combustion before you taste it). I wish we'd see more vapour-oriented pieces that take advantage of this lack of need to stare at (or even see) the input joint in order to give us mouthpiece placements that allow remote can viewing, but right now it seems every blower expects their pieces to be used for combustion. :/

In the mean time, there's always the faithful j-hook plus ash catcher combo which offers similar advantages, I guess. I plan to order a bunch of the more interesting DHGate ones and transition to using those more over my traditional pieces. I'd also like to see a piece with a very low mouthpiece (like, snaking down almost as low as the base), that I can hit while lying down with the can standing on my chest. Nobody would make this for smoking as it'd be near-impossible to use safely, but it'd be fantastic for vaping in bed with a portable or oil pen while watching TV, etc. Oh well, a man can dream...

 

[Tweak]

Aww, it's like a baby WP010. I really want to see a photo of the two together, now.

Hah, I didn't even notice that it wasn't the WP-010. Looks like they added a splash guard too.

Now it looks a lot closer to the Toro Frothilator. Big beefy downstem.

VS

Just wish they would bridge the stem, . I would be all over it.

 

[Anonymouse]

Hah, I didn't even notice that it wasn't the WP-010. Looks like they added a splash guard too.

It's like a WP010 with WAY less volume and a bit less diffusion, plus a (probably unnecessary) splash-guard. Wish it had the skinnier Toro moutpiece (less volume, better ergonomics, and looks better, if more fragile) and also a few more perc cuts, though, but it's got plenty enough for oil I guess.

Now it looks a lot closer to the Toro Frothilator. Big beefy downstem.

Not so much a beefy downstem as a tiny can, I think, plus that is an 18mm GonG vs the 14mm on the Toro.

Just wish they would bridge the stem, . I would be all over it.

There's no room to bridge it, and it's so short anyway I don't think there'd be any advantage to it in this case. You don't want to weld stuff to the actual GonG as it tends to warp the precision-ground taper inside and mess with the seal.

 

[ryan8]

Man, it'd be amazing if we could get sunshinestore to listen to our feedback, or even do a custom FC piece. Seems like we're just waiting for them to stumble onto good designs.

 

[Anonymouse]

Man, it'd be amazing if we could get sunshinestore to listen to our feedback, or even do a custom FC piece. Seems like we're just waiting for them to stumble onto good designs.

Pity about the language barrier, really. :c

 

[ataxian]

Pity about the language barrier, really. :c

The language is a small part of it!

The problem is they are just copying and modifying to make it easier to produce.

I don't think the Chinese decision makers have ever tried there products?

Too bad they don't have like a @Frederick McGuire or someone who is an expert advice the Chinese on their designs!

The diffuser's are way to far up from the base of the units.
Needing more water to function than necessary!
Plus bridge supports are missing on most pieces?

What about changing the way they think?
Improved designs = 20% or more sales!

 

[ryan8]

What about changing the way they think?
Improved designs = 20% or more sales!

I think some designs (diffusers too high) are just because they don't use their products, and some are cost cutting measures (no flame polish, no bridge supports, wonky diffuser angles).

It's not even just 20% more sales - I'd be willing to pay a slight premium for a better made piece, and it can't cost all that much more for them to do things correctly. I feel like it'd be a win win for everyone involved.

 

[FlyingLow]

Thanks clouded vision! Looks smooth!

 

[Herr_Dampf]

Thanks clouded vision! Looks smooth!

If you search for "claisen" on DHGate or AliExpress, you should find quite a few nice pieces. I am getting 2 claisens and several other adapters via a chinese manufacturer for laboratory glass (like 14 & 18mm female vacuum adapters that can be used as whip adapters for oil rigs: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/synt...14-20-Hose-connection-O-D-8mm/1019460324.html ). Message the shop owner in advance and send him links to the items you want and ask for combines shipping. Transaction went smooth so far, stuff got shipped yesterday, will report in when it arrives.

 

[baltik]

Can someone link me to the toro knockoff? Somehow I missed it

 

[Herr_Dampf]

http://www.dhgate.com/product/black-color-mini-bubbler-glass-ash-catcher/183729712.html

 

[Newcastle]

http://www.dhgate.com/product/black-color-mini-bubbler-glass-ash-catcher/183729712.html

Herr_Dampf look closely at the pics below. The pics above are of the Toro. The pics below are their work. Well it kind of looks the same.

 

[Herr_Dampf]

The first pic is the Toro in a very ... LOW resolution. The other pics are the clone. No clue if worth it, @baltik asked for the link.

 

[PoopMachine]

Not Chinese but check this little guy out....

$59.99

http://www.glasspipemaster.com/glass-pipe/water-pipe/bell-recycling-concentrate-water-bong.html

Ive bought from them before. Quick shipping, nice packing and I assume most of their stuff is american made.

I could of sworn Apollo had a Toro style piece very similar to the Chinese one and it was under $100.00 but I cant get to their iOffer store. iOffer seems to be having issues at the moment.

 

[mrboote]

Not Chinese but check this little guy out....

I assume most of their stuff is american made.

I always assume that any inexpensive headshop type operation is by default import, unless they explicitly state (and can prove) otherwise. Why do you assume it's American made?

Pipse!

 

[ryan8]

Man, it'd be amazing if we could get sunshinestore to listen to our feedback, or even do a custom FC piece. Seems like we're just waiting for them to stumble onto good designs.

So I got in touch with Sunshinestore asking what the minimum order quantity for custom orders is, and got this reply:

sunshinestore 2014-04-09 08:07


sorry we did not accept custom order.
what i listed on my store all are have in stock, u can order it from my store.
thanks

 

[Snappo]

So I got in touch with Sunshinestore asking what the minimum order quantity for custom orders is, and got this reply:

http://glassblowersdirect.com/customizations/

 

[Mr. Gweilo 420]

As I mentioned I placed an order with Sunshine Store on Monday. I actually received an email 5 minutes ago saying it has been shipped I tried to strike up a bit of a relationship with them as well but they were not very responsive. You never know if it is because of language issues or something else. Its too bad though. I'm not far away from these guys and would like to go and meet them in person. To be honest I am toying with the idea of setting up business myself and employing a Chinese glassblower.

 

[PoopMachine]

I always assume that any inexpensive headshop type operation is by default import, unless they explicitly state (and can prove) otherwise. Why do you assume it's American made?

Pipse!

I dont know that it is.. I do know the majority of their stuff comes from Apollo Glassworks so Im sort of assuming they just sell US stuff. May not be, tho... I figure there are a ton of blowers out there that we dont know about.

 

[b0]

Packing up 4 of the 5 WT knockoff's from The SunshineStore (Dhgate). Here's the 4 I'm shipping out. These guys look GREAT - the only difference is the size of the slits - some of the slits appear quite long compared to others. But this doesn't seem to really affect the function of the unit. The 5th one which I'm keeping had a bent splash-guard in the mouthpiece - it's not bad - but crooked, the rest were straight (or straight enough to not notice).

Note when I unwrapped the units, each was coated in a nasty condensation (inside the bubblewrap!). I gave them a nice HOT water soak, and then cleaned again with a fresh batch of PBW, soaked for an hour or more in PBW, then another long rinse with hot water.

Since I know you're anxious to see what these actually look like, here's two photos I snapped before packing up them up:

Is there any place to buy just one or maybe two of these for cheap?

 

[ataxian]

As I mentioned I placed an order with Sunshine Store on Monday. I actually received an email 5 minutes ago saying it has been shipped I tried to strike up a bit of a relationship with them as well but they were not very responsive. You never know if it is because of language issues or something else. Its too bad though. I'm not far away from these guys and would like to go and meet them in person. To be honest I am toying with the idea of setting up business myself and employing a Chinese glassblower.

Go for it!
Great Ideal!
We need someone to manage the glass blowers!

 

[Delta3DStudios]

Is there any place to buy just one or maybe two of these for cheap?

Sadly, not yet. I'm sure if you wait a few months you'll see some PNWT knockoffs show up on ebay in the $30-$40 range (just a guess). But if you have the extra $$ to throw up front, you can easily find 3 or 4 people on here (or ebay) that will buy one.

The Sunshinestore's shipping seems to be effective - the boxes will look like sh*t when you get it, but once you open it, you'll see it's well wrapped tightly packed all in bubble wrap. I would definitely buy from them again.

 

[ataxian]

Sadly, not yet. I'm sure if you wait a few months you'll see some PNWT knockoffs show up on ebay in the $30-$40 range (just a guess). But if you have the extra $$ to throw up front, you can easily find 3 or 4 people on here (or ebay) that will buy one.

The Sunshinestore's shipping seems to be effective - the boxes will look like sh*t when you get it, but once you open it, you'll see it's well wrapped tightly packed all in bubble wrap. I would definitely buy from them again.

The PNWT may be good for some of you?
I couldn't make it work!

Ash Collectors with JHOOKS are 1000x better functionally!

If you want it go for it!

I'll pass!

 

[Anonymouse]

The PNWT may be good for some of you?
I couldn't make it work!

Ash Collectors with JHOOKS are 1000x better functionally!

If you want it go for it!

I'll pass!

Even the real PNWTs are rather minimally functional. It's designed to be a compact pocketable option that still offers a tolerable degree of conditioning, so if you're sitting down at home pretty much anything else is a better alternative.