PTB Straw Mod: PTB Made Easy!

**kristin** · 12-01-2009, 06:26 PM

OK, I always liked the pyramid tea bag material, but fussing with the folding & shredding and carmelizing was a pain. I was using the RSP Mod and having issues with finding the right plug. I kept coming back to the PTB material, but couldn't figure out how to use it as a plug - but I think I got it! I've been using it for 3 days now and I haven't encountered any issues, other than not to overfill it.

Basically, it's the straw with a PTB plug, but instead of folding and rolling and shredding, just using it to plug the cart. The straw holds it in place better, keeping it pressed against the atty, but I have used it without the straw, as well. So far, it wicks really well, uses approx 95% of the liquid before needing a refill, refills easily (without having to remove - something the other "plug" mods don't do) and washes well for reuse. I'd love for some others to try it out, tweek it, to see if it works as well for them - especially since it SHOULD work with just about any cart size. I think the straw could be made even shorter, with the same effect, to take up even less space, but it does help hold up the plug from being pushed back into the cart.

Below is a pictorial, which should show everything - but it's VERY easy. Please read the photo captions for additional information.

Straws are 5mm (1/4") diameter, both straws and tea were purchased at a Walmart Super Store.

Empty tea bag.

Cut straw to 10mm-15mm long and notch one end. Cut the PTB into 2 seperate pieces, trim off edges. Put one piece aside for another cart.

Put straw all the way into the cart, notches towards the mouth end, notches facing the short sides of the cart.

Take one piece of the PTB and center on a long, thin, pointed object. It would look like a flower upside down on the stem. If you don't have long tweezers, a tine of a meat fork or a small screwdriver works, too. Just be careful not to poke a hole when pushing it into the cart.

Gently push PTB into the cart, until the tweezers hit the bottom of the cart.

Trim off the excess, flush with the end of the cart.

It may have open spaces like this.

Spread the layers with your tweezers to fill the opening more evenly.

Fill with your favorite liquid, 10-12 drops.

If you have a very thin liquid, you may want to use two pieces of PTB. If you have a very thick liquid, you may want to omit the straw.

**IAMREALITY** · 12-01-2009, 06:37 PM

I ran out and tried the PTB for the first time yesterday after abandoning my silicon rope filler. I loved the PTB and it's the best filler yet. I just have trouble with the middle of the 'roll' bending after awhile from the pressure of the atty, so I'm left with the middle too recessed and the edges of the top of the roll left higher. So I'm excited to see you possibly improve the concept.

I'm a bit confused on what exactly it is you made though. You push the tea bag into the straw with the tweezers, and then fold the top edges inward to make a cap? Is that right? How far from the top of the 510 cart is the straw? Is it the same as normal (to the inner lip)?

Thanks for the help,

Jeremy

**kristin** · 12-01-2009, 06:42 PM

Jeremy, just follow the directions exactly. I showed everything I did - no bending or folding off camera. Cut the straw to about 15mm (1/4"), notch it, put it into the cart all the way. It's probably about even with or a little taller than the inside ledges. Then use the tweezers, as shown, to push the PTB in. Then simply trim it flush with the cart and spread out the layers.

**IAMREALITY** · 12-01-2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by kristin

Jeremy, just follow the directions exactly. I showed everything I did - no bending or folding off camera. Cut the straw to about 15mm (1/4&quot

, notch it, put it into the cart all the way. It's probably about even with or a little taller than the inside ledges. Then use the tweezers, as shown, to push the PTB in. Then simply trim it flush with the cart and spread out the layers.

My apologies. My internet is buggin today and the only pic I saw when I first loaded this was your first one, showing the straws and the teabags. There was only one pic. Now I see the rest of them. Sorry bout that!

**kristin** · 12-01-2009, 06:50 PM

The atty does eventually push in the PTB a bit, but for some reason it keeps working just fine! But it's also really easy to use a tweezers and pull it back out a bit, if needed. Thanks to Drew, from Nhaler.com, for those awesome tweezers, too!! LOL!

**kristin** · 12-01-2009, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by IAMREALITY

My apologies. My internet is buggin today and the only pic I saw when I first loaded this was your first one, showing the straws and the teabags. There was only one pic. Now I see the rest of them. Sorry bout that!

LOL! Ok, I was wondering about that!

**Hockeytown** · 12-01-2009, 10:34 PM

Hey Kristin! I enjoy seeing what you and others come up with. I'm curious what the purpose of the straw is for this particular mod. Is it to keep the ptb tight except for near the top? I'm going to make one right now anyhow to give it a try. I always felt that the flavor from the ptb (the folded, rolled, frayed, blah blah blah) mod tasted the best, so I'm excited for this.

**kristin** · 12-01-2009, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Hockeytown

Hey Kristin! I enjoy seeing what you and others come up with. I'm curious what the purpose of the straw is for this particular mod. Is it to keep the ptb tight except for near the top? I'm going to make one right now anyhow to give it a try. I always felt that the flavor from the ptb (the folded, rolled, frayed, blah blah blah) mod tasted the best, so I'm excited for this.

Yes, it helps hold the PTB in place, close to the atomizer. Let me know how it works for you!

**Hockeytown** · 12-01-2009, 11:51 PM

Hey, I like this so far. Richer flavor, good vapor! For those that don't have the tweezers, I broke of one end of a toothpick, got it a little wet, and used the counter top to flatten/round off that end. Then when I pushed it in, I was careful to grip the PTB against the toothpick while I pushed once I felt resistance, so I would not rip though it. Ooo boy do I like the ease of making this!