The Hillside Glass K-Clips (often referred to as Keck Clips) are essential hardware for anyone using modular glass-on-glass setups. These clips are designed to securely lock ground glass joints together, preventing downstems, bowls, or nectar collector tips from sliding out or falling during a session.
Hillside Glass offers these in 24-pack display boxes tailored to the three most common joint sizes in the industry.
Product Breakdown
- K-CLIPS-10 (10mm): Best for small "micro" rigs, nectar collectors, and 10mm titanium or quartz tips. These are typically green or blue in the standard color-coding system.
- K-CLIPS-14 (14mm): The industry standard. These fit the vast majority of water pipes, bangers, and ash catchers. Usually color-coded yellow.
- K-CLIPS-19 (19mm): Designed for heavy-duty 18.8mm/19mm joints often found on large beakers and high-airflow straight tubes. Usually color-coded blue or orange.
Key Features
- Material: Made from high-grade, heat-resistant polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic. This material can withstand the heat of a glass joint without melting or losing its "spring" tension.
- Secure Locking: The three-pronged design snaps over the flare of the female joint and the ridge of the male joint, creating a physical bridge that prevents accidental disconnection.
- Color Coding: Most 24-packs follow a specific color-to-size ratio, making it easy for shops or heavy users to identify the correct size at a glance.
- Safe for Glass: Unlike metal clamps, these plastic clips will not scratch or "fret" your borosilicate glass joints over time.
Why Use a 24-Pack?
- Wholesale/Retail Ready: These packs are designed as a "counter-top display" for smoke shops, allowing customers to grab individual clips as needed.
- High-Volume Users: If you have a large glass collection or frequently use nectar collectors (which rely heavily on clips for safety), buying in bulk ensures you always have a replacement when one inevitably goes missing.
- Safety: They are the cheapest insurance policy against breaking an expensive banger or downstem.
Maintenance & Safety Tips
- Avoid Direct Flame: While POM plastic is heat-resistant, it is not fireproof. Do not apply a torch directly to the clip, and ensure it is positioned away from the immediate heat source of a banger.
- Cleaning: If the clips become sticky with resin, soak them in warm soapy water. Avoid high-strength isopropyl alcohol for long periods, as it can eventually make the plastic brittle.
- Tension Check: If a clip feels "loose" or fails to snap audibly, it is time to replace it with a fresh one from your pack.