Is it possible micro-coils are overrated?

[photon9]

This has been enlightening. Super-x I was totally looking forward to ur response and you did not disappoint.
Those first pics u posted are what my current coil (micro ID and uncompressed) and it really looks and works great.
Do we have terminology to differentiate between compressed and uncompressed coils? Or is that itself the terminology?

 

[photon9]

Jimi D I guess I'll be ordering some flat Kanthal next time I'm loading up my cart on Amazon. Really want to try that!

 

[Jimi D.]

Here's a simple build on a Caliber. Ribbon is much easier to wrap as well photon9.

 

[AlanWoltemath]

What works for me is wider ribbon on silica. I find the flatter heating surface creates an explosion of vapor.

+100 on this. I use .8 kanthal ribbon wire dual coil with 3mm silica doubled. 3wraps of ribbon wire on each coil in the igo-w at .3 ohm and you are in vaping heaven. Flavor vapor and th are out of this world.

 

[karmakatie]

Is the ribbon wire sharp to wrap a coil with??

 

[AlanWoltemath]

i looks like it would be sharp but i have never had any issues with it and it is all i use. I build at least 2 or 3 coils a day.

 

[Firestorm]

Ribbon wire isn't sharp at the edges.

 

[roadie]

Last night I wrapped a 1/16" coil but instead of compressing and annealing it so the coils are touching I let the coils stay separated.

And seriously this coil hits as good or better than any micro-coil I've built so far. I'm seriously leaning towards better. It has great vapor production, better flavor, and seems to be less fickle. Not to mention a simpler build.

I know some of you are already on the uncompressed coil wagon but seriously if you haven't tried it give it a shot on your next build.

IMO, micro coils (with coils touching) give a more consistent result, and make it much easier to simply pull the old cotton wick out, dry burn, then install a new wick. It's very easy to duplicate a coil when the coils are touching rather than get perfect separation distance between each coil each time. There's nothing better than building a coil, installing it, and seeing that perfect glow from the inside out.

 

[Revelene]

My micro coil with coils touching performs like a champ. I would say they are not overrated. Though, I'm not saying you can't make a different type of coil good.

I'm usually using compressed micro coils or twisted compressed micro coils.

 

[emus]

I have several coil builds in action. From 0.025" to 3/32". Some days I battle my coils and they are at times difficult to distinguish w/ blindfold testing. Sometimes vape tongue interferes with the judgement and rematch is scheduled. A brand new build is very competitive but falls in line w/ the rest after a few moments use. The obvious losers have been scrapped.

My favorite is 1/16" twisted 30GA 1.2 ohms. One of the pros is legs tend to stay put when tightening screw terminal unlike my plain wire coil legs which walk for miles. One pro of compressed coils is space savings; important on a 14.5 mm topper; this is the reason I don't have any uncompressed coils in the competition. Maybe I'll experiment more w/ uncompressed on my 20 to 22 mm toppers.

 

[Wickeddeuce]

Do what makes a good experience for you... just made the switch to nanos... its a little more difficult than a micro... cotton on the outside... but that is a good tasty vape... something i will strive to recreate time and time again... i guess im trying to say, do what your going to enjoy...

 

[Gqballa]

I think also the compressed micro coils is overrated. I always built them compressed but for my last build. I just did dual 4 wraps of 28 gauge kanthal over 5/64 bit and mounted it. Crazy vapor. Simple to build.

 

[el Jexican]

For me it depends on the atty I'm using. Found I really like the nano in my RM2, but on my Atomic its a twisted micro. Building coils to find the right set up is half the fun for me.

 

[Zealous]

Personally I like micro coils for longevity. But since I use 30 gauge wire, after a month or so they often will separate slightly. I don't bother squishing them back together as I agree they work just fine in a tight but non touching fashion too. But they usually start out as a micro coil.

I guess I will also say that I prefer micro coils for ease of build too. With a 4 wrap something I DO have to move wires around to get it just so &/or remove hot spots. With a micro coil I can wrap it the same way every time & the coil will light up just the way it should every time with 0 hot spots, etc. I like that. And since there are no hot spots they DO perform better as a result. Yes, I can make a regular coil & remove all hot spots. But after rethreading cotton into it several times it has to be adjusted or often hot spots will develop. Not so with a micro coil.

 

[SLIPPY_EEL]

the best way ive found of getting a perfect open coil is to wrap it like you were going to do a closed coil then leave it on your jig(drill bit or screwdriver) then pull both legs away from each other... if you've opened the coils to much just push them back together and repeat pulling apart again.. once you have the spacing you need hold the jig with the coil on it with finger and thumb and straighten or manipulate the legs to how you desire.. simple and perfect

 

[yaypudding]

I like not having hot spots. also having a sturdy coil i can change wicks with easily. Compressed micros are easy for me to roll and give me great flavor and vapor. I like the ease of cotton with a micro coil. no more torching things. they suit my way of vaping well, but whatever floats your boat.

 

[Hypatia]

the best way ive found of getting a perfect open coil is to wrap it like you were going to do a closed coil then leave it on your jig(drill bit or screwdriver) then pull both legs away from each other... if you've opened the coils to much just push them back together and repeat pulling apart again.. once you have the spacing you need hold the jig with the coil on it with finger and thumb and straighten or manipulate the legs to how you desire.. simple and perfect

Yes, this is what I do. My brother claims I do not make "true" micro coils (even though I like a 1/16" or smaller ID), since I like the coils close as possible, but NOT touching .

Meh, I don't care what it's called. Although my build looks suspiciously like the "VERY first Micro coil ever picture" Super_X posted . Works for me. A wee bit of space between the coils, but the ease of the micro coil technique. And rewicking is a breeze. I'm lazy and always strive for the "easiest" way to make a "good" tasting build. This works for me!

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

I have sausage fingers and middle-aged man eyesight.

For me, the pressed micro gives me build ease & consistency, as well as durability (both when I mount it and when I maintain it) - it takes several elements of finickiness out of the equation, and the few that are left (resistance, placement) are easy for me to control.

Been there with 4-3 (often subohm) wraps, nanocoils, duals, etc. - the single micro w/cotton in a RM2 anywhere between .7 and 1.2 is the sweet spot for me. Spacing it out, per above, would actually just add trouble for my ham fisted, squinting self.

 

[emus]

I built a spacer coil yesterday. About 0.5 mm coil spaces. 1/16" twisted 30GA 1.0 ohm. Been vaping it all day. Best coil my AGA-T2 had to date. Had a scratchy TH at first but broke in nice. I adjusted coil position 6 times which helped but didn't completely fix the scratch. Time cured scratch. The scratchy TH same as TH when air hole not centered on coil. Not sure what causes the type of scratchy TH that makes you cough?

I'm going to build some more spacer coils for testing.

 

[marsos52]

it took me a little while to get micro coils to work for me. and once I started getting a consistent result with them.
I soon realized that I like a basic wrap best.

3 or 4 wraps for .6 or .8 ohms with 28 gauge just suits me fine and works on any atty I want. build is quicker and easier. no muss or fuss.

great vape, flavor and fast.