Homemade Dab Rig: A Guide

How to make a homemade dab rig

Are you feeling creative after your dab rig broke, or perhaps you just misplaced some essential accessories? Worry not! We have the perfect solution for you. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make a homemade dab rig or replace those missing pieces with items you probably already have at home.

Creating a dab rig using a mason jar

This homemade dab rig is an excellent alternative if your regular rig is out of commission. Since it’s made of glass, it can withstand heat quite well, making it safer to use for longer periods than other DIY methods. Start by finding a medium-sized glass jar with a lid, or buy one at the store – it’s definitely more affordable than replacing a whole rig.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Medium-sized glass jar with lid
• Drill with a bit for making holes in the lid
• Pen with ink and tip removed
• Straw (metal is best, but plastic bendy straws work too)
• Aluminum foil
• Dab nail

With those items in hand, follow these steps:

1. Drill two small holes into the lid of your mason jar. They should be large enough to hold a pen.
2. Wrap the body of the pen in aluminum foil and slide it into one of the holes on the jar’s lid. This pen will serve as your downstem.
3. Attach your dab nail to the pen and secure it to the jar using tin foil. This works best with a universal titanium nail, but with a bit of creativity, you can also fasten a quartz banger to the pen and jar using foil.
4. Slide your straw into the other hole and secure it with foil to prevent air from escaping. Your straw shouldn’t touch the water inside the jar, so it may stick out a few inches
5. Fill your mason jar with water until the downstem is about ½” under the water, and then dab as usual. Inhale through the straw.

Constructing a dab rig with a plastic bottle and a hot knife

While the hot knife method is not ideal since it can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, it might be your only option in a pinch. Just remember to replace your rig as soon as possible, as dabbing from plastic can be harmful to your health. The hot knife method is a popular DIY dab rig choice when you don’t have any glass or a torch handy.

What you’ll need:

• Metal butter knife, ideally one with a thick handle that doesn’t lay flush on a countertop
• Paper clip or dab tool
• Plastic water bottle, cut in half
• Scissors
• Electric stove or torch
• Silicone dab mat (optional)

To assemble it:

1. Cut your water bottle in half, keeping the top part with the cap end. Discard the cap.
2. Cut a small notch into the bottom of the bottle. This is where you’ll slide your hot knife in for dabbing.
3. Heat up a butter knife on the electric coils of your stove or use a torch.
4. Lay the hot knife on a flat surface or heat-resistant dab mat to protect your surfaces.
5. Using the paperclip (or another dab tool), apply your concentrate to the hot knife and slide the notched plastic bottle over the top, taking care not to let the hot knife touch the plastic.
6. Inhale the vapor from the mouthpiece on the bottle.

Transforming an old bong into a dab rig

If you’re looking to enjoy dabs without a rig, the most obvious solution is repurposing an old flower bong or waterpipe. All you need is an adapter and a nail that fits snugly into your flower bong. If you have a female flower bong and a male nail with the same joint size, you can simply slide them together. If the sizes don’t match, you can reinforce the connection using aluminum foil, which is great for joining different-sized joints.

However, the easiest method is to buy an adapter. If you have a banger and a bong, determine the joint sizes and genders of both pieces. Adapters are incredibly affordable and can be found at headshops for around $15. They’re particularly useful if you often find yourself without a rig.

Alternative ways to dab without a rig

If you’re not feeling crafty and can’t afford a new rig yet, there are plenty of ways to smoke dabs without one. You can use concentrates as bowl toppers or mix them into pre-rolls and blunts, extending the burn time of your flower and increasing potency. If you have a vaporizer compatible with concentrates, you can use them in the meantime before getting a new rig. As a last resort, you can gently heat them with butter on the stove and incorporate them into your favorite recipes to create edibles.

Creating a homemade carb cap

If your carb cap is lost or broken, numerous household items can serve as makeshift replacements. While they may not be as effective as a regular carb cap, they can still enhance the flavor and efficiency of your dabs. Items like the top of a silicone pick, a metal grinder, the bottom of an empty glass dab container, shot glasses, and coffee mugs can all be used. Metal beer caps or flat rocks are also suitable options. Place these items on top of your banger after dropping in your dabs, being careful not to block airflow by moving them manually.

Crafting a homemade dabber

In case you’ve misplaced your dab tool, you can use household items like metal paper clips, uncoated bobby pins, butter knives, metal nail files, flathead screwdrivers, or metal nail files as alternatives. Ensure you clean them before and after use and avoid using anything with a plastic coating on a dabbing surface, as inhaling plastic is harmful to your health.

It’s essential to be cautious when using makeshift tools for dabbing, ensuring that you’re not inhaling any harmful materials such as plastic. In the meantime, you can also explore alternative ways to consume concentrates, such as vaporizing or incorporating them into edibles.

Remember that these homemade solutions are meant to be temporary until you can replace your rig and accessories. Once you have the opportunity, invest in a new dab rig and enjoy the full benefits and experiences that proper dabbing equipment can provide.