After weeks of failure with SS wick finally success, here is what I did different

[dwcraig1]

I was getting great results using the drill bit method except it would not wick properly, I was not having too many problems with it shorting just poor vapor production so here is what I did differently using the drill bit method that I learned here on ECF.
Instead of using a shaft that would fit the wick hole perfectly I choose one slightly smaller to use in the wick hole for wrapping my coil so it would be kind of a sloppy fit. I then drilled a hole in a piece of 1/8" plastic the same size as the shaft that I'm using in order to easily match my wick size to the shaft size.
Ends up with loose wick in wick hole with perfectly sized coil. I honestly was ready to give up trying because I was not even getting close to good vapor production but I can say now SS wicks great and when right is the bomb. As far as oxidizing the wick and using the drill bit method, these instructions are all here on ECF, I'd typing all day if I tried to put that here. As i said my coil/wick electrically were good, just poor wicking. I hope this is of some help for those that are getting close on their builds.

I posted this in another thread and I really must stop making any more YouTube videos but here is a link to the result thats I got on my last build: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-kbr67dQ6Y

 

[Kemosabe]

nice work. i think i need to try this, or soemthing similar. my concentration was on the circuit first and foremost. but now that i have that part squared away, im looking to increase vapor production.

my flaovr and TH are top notch, but my vapor is paltry at best. i consistantly blow out bigger clouds with standard attys. :/

i am lining up the hole with the wick, so thats not the issue. i also leave my fill screw out to help with wicking. i think the wick im using might be too dense. also, ive got some #500 coming so im thinking it will wick better and give off more clouds than my current #400.

my last resort would be the wire im guessing. im currently using 32AWG Kanthal. i may try some 30 or 28 next.

 

[dwcraig1]

nice work. i think i need to try this, or soemthing similar. my concentration was on the circuit first and foremost. but now that i have that part squared away, im looking to increase vapor production.

my flaovr and TH are top notch, but my vapor is paltry at best. i consistantly blow out bigger clouds with standard attys. :/

i am lining up the hole with the wick, so thats not the issue. i also leave my fill screw out to help with wicking. i think the wick im using might be too dense. also, ive got some #500 coming so im thinking it will wick better and give off more clouds than my current #400.

my last resort would be the wire im guessing. im currently using 32AWG Kanthal. i may try some 30 or 28 next.

I am not using exact measurements but I would guess my wick to be about 3mm and the hole 3.5mm and of coarse the coil and the wick are matching in size

 

[BuzzKilla]

just my observation, but i think your wicking issues may have been due to air lock...

do you plug up the fill hole? and if so did you use a hollow wick, with the bottom cut at a 45 degree angle?

The only reason why i ask is because, if you cover up the fill hole, and the wick is solid, you dont have a way for the air to get back into the tank once the wick tries to feed liquid to the coil. causing your wicking issues.

You just created the air vent around the wick rather than through it.

Not saying your method is wrong, far from it. Just helping with some insight as to why you may have had wicking issues in the first place

 

[dwcraig1]

just my observation, but i think your wicking issues may have been due to air lock...

do you plug up the fill hole? and if so did you use a hollow wick, with the bottom cut at a 45 degree angle?

The only reason why i ask is because, if you cover up the fill hole, and the wick is solid, you dont have a way for the air to get back into the tank once the wick tries to feed liquid to the coil. causing your wicking issues.

You just created the air vent around the wick rather than through it.

Not saying your method is wrong, far from it. Just helping with some insight as to why you may have had wicking issues in the first place

I am using it without the plug, it was working so good that I tried it with the plug in but removed it rather quickly. This is the only variation of the way that I have been going about it using the drill bit method. I plan to do my other one in a little bit, I hope to be able to repeat the results.

 

[BuzzKilla]

thats interesting... if you can repeat the results, this can be a good way for some guys to resolve wicking

 

[Rule62]

The piece of plastic with a hole is a good idea. I'll have to make one. Currently, I use a 3/32" drill bit for making DiD clone coils. 7/64" for AGA-Ts. I have a second bit of each size, which I lay on my table, when I'm rolling my wick, and when I lay the wick on the table, end to end with the extra drill bit, I can feel with my finger when the wick is the same diameter as the drill bit.