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View Full Version : Make a glass airlock?



DibleyRibley
11-03-2014, 03:40 PM
Hi guys

I am completely new to using glass, I dont even
have any equipment yet. But I was hoping to
get some input on what I would like to make.

How difficult would it be to make an airlock?

Not sure if you can see from this pic what the
3 main pieces look like:

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/media/Fermenting_Equipment/Airlocks_and_Stoppers/0195_3-Piece_Airlock.jpg

But the main part is a tube that the bottom is inserted into the fermenting vessel (like a jar) and the top
of the tube extends up into a container that is filled with water/vodka/sanitizer. Then the second piece
is a finger shaped piece that sits on the water that forces the fermenting gases to go back
down through the water and out the top. The lid doesnt matter. The main tube is 6 mm.

Now I am sure this would be possible to make, but what sort of experience
do you think would be needed? Is this an advanced project, medium, newbie?
How long would you think it would take to make one?

I know you cant really answer definitively but I was just curious as to whether
is something that would be possible for me to do, realistically. Both experience
and time wise. I make and sell fermenting vessels, so I was hoping to make my
own glass airlocks for them. My dad took up glass blowing a few years ago but
had to abandon due to space, but I have always wanted to revisit it, so this seems
like a good time to start!

There are glass airlocks available, but they are the twin bubble types. Which are fine
but the people who use my fermenting equipment tend to like the fact that they
arent too tall. The glass twin bubble airlocks are 8 inches, add that to the 8 inches of
the jar and you need a lot of cupboard space.

Hope someone out there might have some advice.

Thanks

metalbone
11-03-2014, 04:20 PM
not the same style fermentation lock, but a nice tut just the same...good ole acro...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMEbFSW7p2o

I've made the style you showed before, not too hard, but you'll need practice making seals. A ring saw will help with the slices on the inner tube, or you can just tear a couple of holes at the bottom.

gihkal
11-04-2014, 03:32 PM
The one in the video is alittle much. this should be good for any home brew sized fermenter

http://ebrew.com/Products_A/airlock_s-type.jpg

metalbone
11-05-2014, 09:43 AM
yeah, the one in the vid is too large, but it is a good vid if you want to see one being made. Fermentation locks are so cheap and are considered throw-aways due the maker (china) and the materials (plastic) that making glass ones is not worth the time, as you are unlikely to recoup your labor and material costs...

They are fun to make though, and if you know someone that brews and you gift it to them, well, your payment will likely be free beer, which is not a bad deal. I had a brewer tell me "dang, it looks too good...I don't want to use it."

snoopdog6502
11-05-2014, 10:19 AM
looks super basic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnWeLTBu95c