I'm using a bong with a 10mm downstem-bowl combo (the downstem and the bowl are in one), and the hole in the bowl is about 4-5 mm wide, which is way too wide in my opinion. I have to take about 3 or 4 hits before I can actually clear the bowl because the airflow is simply way too quick. So I'm trying to figure out a way to make the hole smaller, which would most likely tighten the airflow. Any suggestions?
I do actually have a metal screen for my downstem-bowl combo, but the airflow is way too loose, so if I pack a bowl, I can't just clear it in one hit, but I have to inhale at least 4-5 times before it clears, because instead of the air flowing THROUGH the ground up bud, it flows AROUND it. I've also tried using a pebble as a screen, which would theoretically make the airflow tighter, but it still takes at least 4-5 hits to clear the bowl, just like with the metal screen. I'm in Ghana right now, and they don't really have any headshops here, so even if I wanted to, I couldn't buy another downstem, bowl, or a screen. They do actually sell paraphernalia here, but it's mainly just ceramic/wooden pipes. I guess if you live in a developing country, then you have to be a little bit more inventive. There has got to be a better solution to this problem!
I would also second a glass screen, if they were available to you. they look like super mini “jacks” from the children’s game but made out of glass. I’ll attach a picture. they actually sit in the bottom of the bowl and essentially work like the pebble idea you had, except sealing the air flow in better since it’s purpose built to rest in a bowl hole. so maybe try the old school method. 1) take a small chunk of dense herb just bigger than the hole in your bowl and toss it in and make sure it doesn’t come close to falling through the hole. 2) press down on the chunk to squish it a bit into the bowl hole, without pressing so hard that you plug up the air completely. 3) load your bowl pack on top of the squished chunk, and smoke as usual— keeping in mind you’ll have a nice dense pull right at the end of the bowl to finish off that first chunk you threw in. 4) repeat here are some examples of glass screens. keep your eye out for them!
