This is my homemade DIY Vaporizer. I mostly vaporize herbal mixtures, but it would work as well for tobacco. It uses convection (only hot air touches the plant material) which makes a cleaner vapor than induction (where the heat source touches the plant material). Some scientific evidence suggests that vaporization puts fewer carcinogens in a vaporizers (the person doing the vaporizing). Some evidence suggests that it doesn't make any difference. I think it tastes cleaner, and probably isn't any worse than smoking. Convection vaporization is a feeling which is subjectively distinct from smoking or the other sort of vaporization, and better in my humble opinion.
WARNINGS:
While commercial vaporizers use it, I don't believe that PVC is safe enough for this purpose. Don't use it. As you can see I I've read about leeching in medical products (while they were using specific chemicals), and also read that the PVC should not be heated over 180F which is not enough. Silicone tubing can be bought online. I use thin copper tubing.
Where I live smoking tobacco is restricted to people 18 and over. If your under 18 don't make this, don't smoke, or vaporize, or whatever. While vaporization may reduce the health hazards associated with inhaling plant material, I'm certain that it does not completely eliminate them. Don't smoke. It's addictive and bad for your health. Depending on what region or country you live in, it may be illegal to consume specific herbs. Make sure that the herbal blend you choose is legal in your region. This guide is not intended to assist in the illegal (And highly immoral) consumption of banned plant materials.
This vaporizer is a fire hazard. It's cheap and easy to make, but there's a trade off. This one cost me about $25. A similar commercial vaporizer would cost 150-250$.
You might consider buying one of those wall timers so that if you leave your vaporizer plugged in by accident it will only run as long as you set the timer for. This is a must if you plan on vaporizing any herbs which may induce forgetfulness. Don't start a fire!
Further I've been warned that copper fumes are vary dangerous. I don't think copper will fume at the temperatures I'm subjecting it to.
That said the consensus among many smokers is that the most sure healthiest thing to smoke out of is glass. If you find a good way to do this with glass, more power to you! For now my brass on glass design might be the best DIYers can hope for.
One more warning: Don't use a soldering iron that has come anywhere near solder. Solder is super poisonous nasty stuff. Just buy a new one. They are really not that expensive.
WARNINGS:
While commercial vaporizers use it, I don't believe that PVC is safe enough for this purpose. Don't use it. As you can see I I've read about leeching in medical products (while they were using specific chemicals), and also read that the PVC should not be heated over 180F which is not enough. Silicone tubing can be bought online. I use thin copper tubing.
Where I live smoking tobacco is restricted to people 18 and over. If your under 18 don't make this, don't smoke, or vaporize, or whatever. While vaporization may reduce the health hazards associated with inhaling plant material, I'm certain that it does not completely eliminate them. Don't smoke. It's addictive and bad for your health. Depending on what region or country you live in, it may be illegal to consume specific herbs. Make sure that the herbal blend you choose is legal in your region. This guide is not intended to assist in the illegal (And highly immoral) consumption of banned plant materials.
This vaporizer is a fire hazard. It's cheap and easy to make, but there's a trade off. This one cost me about $25. A similar commercial vaporizer would cost 150-250$.
You might consider buying one of those wall timers so that if you leave your vaporizer plugged in by accident it will only run as long as you set the timer for. This is a must if you plan on vaporizing any herbs which may induce forgetfulness. Don't start a fire!
Further I've been warned that copper fumes are vary dangerous. I don't think copper will fume at the temperatures I'm subjecting it to.
That said the consensus among many smokers is that the most sure healthiest thing to smoke out of is glass. If you find a good way to do this with glass, more power to you! For now my brass on glass design might be the best DIYers can hope for.
One more warning: Don't use a soldering iron that has come anywhere near solder. Solder is super poisonous nasty stuff. Just buy a new one. They are really not that expensive.
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials.
"A wall socket timer"
This is for the socket where you plug your vaporizer into. With the timer you set the timer for as long as you plan on using your vaporizer so that it shuts off automatically. If your at all forgetful this is a must. Some herbs have even been suggested to bring about forgetfulness. If you plan on vaporizing any such herbs the timer is must!
A (few) bottle(s).
I used a large 1.75 liter Gvori vodka bottle.Gvori is my favorite vodka, and their bottle is awesome. Other bottles should work, but you'll want to vary the end of the fitting that goes against the bottle (more on that later). This should be free. If you don't have a good bottle laying around someone near your probably does. Since breaking a bottle is a chaotic thing you will want to have back-up in the case your first doesn't work (it probably won't).
A soldering iron (at least 40 watts).
I used a generic radio shack one. It cost about 7$. A radio shack one is probably best since their design is so simple. Anything more complicated will only get in your way.
Thin copper tubing.
I used 1/4 inch. It's flexible, but don't bend it into too sharp of an angle or you will get a kink (they're almost impossible to get out).
A brass or copper fitting.
I used a copper fitting I picked out which allowed the copper tubing to barely slide through it on the narrow threaded end, that was big enough on the other end to make a good bowl and fit against the neck of the bottle. The one I bought from lowes is labled 3/8" flare X 3/8" FIP. I would suggest looking ahead in the instructions before you purchase any type of fitting for this project.
Two pairs of pliers, at least one of which is needle nose
A serrated knife or dremel for cutting through the plastic handle of the soldering iron.
A coat hanger.
A hammer.
A screen
The type bought at smoke-shops to go in the bottom of a pipe.
This is for the socket where you plug your vaporizer into. With the timer you set the timer for as long as you plan on using your vaporizer so that it shuts off automatically. If your at all forgetful this is a must. Some herbs have even been suggested to bring about forgetfulness. If you plan on vaporizing any such herbs the timer is must!
A (few) bottle(s).
I used a large 1.75 liter Gvori vodka bottle.Gvori is my favorite vodka, and their bottle is awesome. Other bottles should work, but you'll want to vary the end of the fitting that goes against the bottle (more on that later). This should be free. If you don't have a good bottle laying around someone near your probably does. Since breaking a bottle is a chaotic thing you will want to have back-up in the case your first doesn't work (it probably won't).
A soldering iron (at least 40 watts).
I used a generic radio shack one. It cost about 7$. A radio shack one is probably best since their design is so simple. Anything more complicated will only get in your way.
Thin copper tubing.
I used 1/4 inch. It's flexible, but don't bend it into too sharp of an angle or you will get a kink (they're almost impossible to get out).
A brass or copper fitting.
I used a copper fitting I picked out which allowed the copper tubing to barely slide through it on the narrow threaded end, that was big enough on the other end to make a good bowl and fit against the neck of the bottle. The one I bought from lowes is labled 3/8" flare X 3/8" FIP. I would suggest looking ahead in the instructions before you purchase any type of fitting for this project.
Two pairs of pliers, at least one of which is needle nose
A serrated knife or dremel for cutting through the plastic handle of the soldering iron.
A coat hanger.
A hammer.
A screen
The type bought at smoke-shops to go in the bottom of a pipe.
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That said, I'd like to figure out a way to get the bowl to stay in place on it's own, and perhaps mount the bottle vertically so convection will happen passively (rather than letting the heating coil burn out)
Ideas on making the bowl stay? I guess you could modify the cap, but it seems like a pain...
http://picasaweb.google.com/101644146320194799735/SnowmageddonVAPe?feat=directlink
Whatever chemical your trying to get to release from the plant material has a specific temprature at which it most efficently breaks free. Too high and you incenerate some of the chemicals and cause it to combust (really char) anyway making it no more efficent than just smoking it regulary, too low and it just smells good and no chemical has been released, so adjustable heat is optimal. you can just play with the settings, or look at the Wikipedia article on Vaporizers. they say it's around 365 degrees F. when you look at the Wiki entry, notice the picture on the top left of the entry, that one used heated air and the plant matter never touches any "hot plate" so there's no toxic byproduct by the heating element. i've used one of those heated air types before, theyre hands down the best and most efficent vaporizers, not to mention much more interesting to build than a hotplate type.. Drop me an email Vapoking, and i'll fill you in on the specifics of the construction methods i've concidered.
Although vaps point on the diaphragm made me laugh.
http://www.afrotechmods.com/cheap/iron/iron.htm