How to Measure Your Downstem 📏

How to measure your downstem 📏

OH NO! YOUR DOWNSTEM BROKE . . .

So we all know when your downstem breaks its an oh shit moment. But don't worry, there are only two main questions you need to ask when looking for a new downstem. What's the length needed and how wide should the joint be.

First lets get a grasp on the parts of the downstem. There are a few sections:

The upward facing end the bowl goes into is called the Female Joint.
Then there is the etched glass section that sits inside the joint of the beaker base called the Male Joint.
Lastly there is the Stem that reaches into the base of the beaker almost touching the bottom of the beaker. If there are filtration slits at the bottom of the stem, these will need to be fully submerged in the water.

Lengthitude and girthitude 🤙🏼

1. Length Matters!

One thing you definitely want to avoid is getting a downstem that is too long and reaches the bottom of the beaker before it is able to rest in the joint, rendering it unusable. So to solve this problem before it even happens, here’s how to measure the length of the downstem you will need!

The Pencil Method

Stick a pencil down the joint of your bong till it hits the bottom of the base.
Pull it out about a half an inch.
Mark this spot on the pencil.
Pull it out and measure the length from the point of the pencil to the mark that you made.
This is the length of the downstem you will need.

2. Don’t Forget Width!

You will also want to make sure the width, or the joint size is correct. This will make a difference in whether you will be using a 14mm bowl or an 18mm bowl. There is one very easy way to tell which one you will need.

The Dime Method

Place a dime over the round hole at the joint of your base.
If the dime covers the hole exactly, it is a 14mm joint.
If the dime slides into the piece, it is an 18mm joint.

And VOILA, simple as that! For your convenience and to avoid confusion, Prism Water Pipes only sells downstems that will fit our bases. But you can use this guide whenever looking to replace broken or lost pieces!

A little more about downstems...

Prism Glass Downstems

Prism downstems are made from classic borosilicate glass for beaker bongs. We have a 18mm male to 14mm female joint and are 120mm in length past the joint. There are also 14 different colors to choose from to spruce up or coordinate with your setup. Check the link here for more info.

Prism Metal Downstems

These downstems were made for those who frequently break their downstems and/or want their downstem to match their Halo connector for a sleek look. Trust us, these bad bois can chug. Check the link here for more info.

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