Aluminum or Stainless Steel Drip Tips?

[Vaporologist]

i don't think either the aluminum or the stainless tip will get hot. i only have stainless tips because i don't want to put aluminum in my mouth, but i doubt the fact my ss tips never get hot has anything to do with heat dissipation (or conversely, the fact that stainless is a poorer conductor of heat in the first place). the science may or may not come into play with a 306 tip, but one that sits at the end of the sleeve on a 510, 901, or 801 is not going to get warm.

Just adding to this: If the T Tip does get really warm, that's a clear indicator that the atty is way too hot to keep on vaping and the unit should be laid down to let cool off. As we know, letting the atty get really hot is not good for its longevity.

 

[Dudeman]

I have at least one of all the T-Tips from super T and I swear by the stainless tips. I dropped one attached to my SB from about 10 feet up onto a solid concrete floor. It landed right on the edge of the T-Tip.

It barely roughed up the edge.

Not to mention the lifetime warrantee. I know I could send it back and get a brand new one. I kinda like the battle scar even tho you can barely see it.

 

[New_World]

I have at least one of all the T-Tips from super T and I swear by the stainless tips. I dropped one attached to my SB from about 10 feet up onto a solid concrete floor. It landed right on the edge of the T-Tip.

It barely roughed up the edge.

Not to mention the lifetime warrantee. I know I could send it back and get a brand new one. I kinda like the battle scar even tho you can barely see it.

warranty prob. doesn't cover user error. lol

 

[keegy]

Originally Posted by buGG
i don't think either the aluminum or the stainless tip will get hot. i only have stainless tips because i don't want to put aluminum in my mouth, but i doubt the fact my ss tips never get hot has anything to do with heat dissipation (or conversely, the fact that stainless is a poorer conductor of heat in the first place). the science may or may not come into play with a 306 tip, but one that sits at the end of the sleeve on a 510, 901, or 801 is not going to get warm.

Just adding to this: If the T Tip does get really warm, that's a clear indicator that the atty is way too hot to keep on vaping and the unit should be laid down to let cool off. As we know, letting the atty get really hot is not good for its longevity.

Well here is my experience. I use my 510 like a cigarette. Take a break, go outside, and spend ~5 minutes puffing. During that time my atomizer casing will heat a bit with each puff, as it warms to the touch I break and let it cool. Comparing the delrin tip to the metal tip there is a perceivable difference in the heat buildup of the casing. I haven't had the metal tip become unusually warm, but I would say that at certain times its warmer than would be expected if it wasn't absorbing heat. I also feel the casing is cooler with the metal compared to delrin during my 5 minute breaks. That said, I feel heat has more places to go with the metal tip and thus will help keep the atty cooler in general, I guess I'll just have to see how long my atty lasts compared to the norm. Unfortunate you don't put aluminum to your lips, your missing out on a lot of good beer!

 

[buGG]

Unfortunate you don't put aluminum to your lips, your missing out on a lot of good beer!

i'll take your word for it.

 

[keegy]

Sorry if I was offensive there.

Does anyone have a fancy infrared thermometer? It would be sweet to test heat absorption by the tip.

Out of further curiosity I've been doing a 'cheek test' and feel confident the metal tip absorbs heat leading to more surface area for the heat to escape from.

Here is my un-scientific test: From a fully rested 510 take about three sequential four second puffs, touch tip, atomizer housing, and battery end (furthest from atomizer) to cheek. Results: Tip=warmed, atomizer housing=warmest, battery end=cool. With Delrin tip, Tip=cool, atomizer housing=warm, battery end=cool.

I don't have stainless/aluminum versions to compare with so I don't know if there will be a difference there, but there is a difference delrin/metal (I think the metal on this one is nickel plated copper).

So in response to "one [the tip] that sits at the end of the sleeve on a 510, 901, or 801 is not going to get warm", I must beg to differ. Who knows maybe there will be T-tips with heat-conducting fins one day =P. Let us know the results if you "cheek test" with your stainless. Thx

 

[forcedfuel50]

Shorties get a little warm, the regular length not so much as theres more mass there.

 

[Switched]

Sorry if I was offensive there.

Does anyone have a fancy infrared thermometer? It would be sweet to test heat absorption by the tip.

Out of further curiosity I've been doing a 'cheek test' and feel confident the metal tip absorbs heat leading to more surface area for the heat to escape from.

Here is my un-scientific test: From a fully rested 510 take about three sequential four second puffs, touch tip, atomizer housing, and battery end (furthest from atomizer) to cheek. Results: Tip=warmed, atomizer housing=warmest, battery end=cool. With Delrin tip, Tip=cool, atomizer housing=warm, battery end=cool.

I don't have stainless/aluminum versions to compare with so I don't know if there will be a difference there, but there is a difference delrin/metal (I think the metal on this one is nickel plated copper).

So in response to "one [the tip] that sits at the end of the sleeve on a 510, 901, or 801 is not going to get warm", I must beg to differ. Who knows maybe there will be T-tips with heat-conducting fins one day =P. Let us know the results if you "cheek test" with your stainless. Thx

You are absolutely positively correct. Any metal that comes into contact with the atty will act as a heat sink, some better than others, aluminium being a great conductor is capable of dissipating heat more readily than stainless. That is why aluminium is generally used as a heat sink.

No scientific data required here, it is anecdotal. For those who wish to dispute this, there is always Google...

 

[forcedfuel50]

Aluminum is definitely a great conductor of heat, but keep in mind, we don't want to funnel too much heat away from the atomizer chamber, if we cool it, we get less throat hit and less vapor production....

 

[Switched]

Aluminum is definitely a great conductor of heat, but keep in mind, we don't want to funnel too much heat away from the atomizer chamber, if we cool it, we get less throat hit and less vapor production....

??? don't eat that Elmer???

 

[buGG]

Aluminum is definitely a great conductor of heat, but keep in mind, we don't want to funnel too much heat away from the atomizer chamber, if we cool it, we get less throat hit and less vapor production....

exactly, and i would also think that the mass of stainless steel makes it more desirable than aluminum simply because it takes significantly longer to heat up. you want conduction, to dissipate the heat, but you also want density to increase thermal capacity.

 

[salliezoo]

I ordered this set because it makes it easier to keep track what's in which atty.

What a great idea!!! Why didn't I think of that? Cool. Thanks for the "tip" !

Edit: I also love Dave's stainless steel drip tips, they are gorgeous...and worth every penny.

 

[lexgar]

I have a shorty aluminum t-tip that was my fave until it got stuck on an atty and I destroyed that atty and severely chewed up the tip using pliers to remove it. That is why I have not ordered other tips from Super T. Love it, but not willing to destroy attys due to too tight fit.

I have other delrin and nickel plated tips from elsewhere that are not so tight a fit. I prefer the delrin widemouth due to it's staying cooler to the lips.

Would like to try other original tips from Super T, but the tightness keeps me from doing so.

 

[forcedfuel50]

I have a shorty aluminum t-tip that was my fave until it got stuck on an atty and I destroyed that atty and severely chewed up the tip using pliers to remove it. That is why I have not ordered other tips from Super T. Love it, but not willing to destroy attys due to too tight fit.

I have other delrin and nickel plated tips from elsewhere that are not so tight a fit. I prefer the delrin widemouth due to it's staying cooler to the lips.

Would like to try other original tips from Super T, but the tightness keeps me from doing so.

The reason mine are tighter is i use a higher quality Viton O-ring that is rated to 400+F, with the drawback they are a bit harder and less flexible then the other brands that use Buna or Silicone Orings which are rated to only 275F. Also, i use a thicker oring then many of the imported tips, if you compare to your nickel plated tips, you'll see they use a .050 thousandths thick Oring vs. .070 thousandths on the Super T tip. You can switch to a #47 oring from Lowes or Homedepot, brand name Danco, they are Buna material and softer and won't be as tight as the Vitons that i use as shipped. Also, i recommend removing the tip each night, washing them and letting them dry out overnight.

Also, if you ship me your Ttip, i can almost certainly get it looking like new for you and put one of the different orings on it. No charge. Ship to:

Super T
Box 331
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

David

 

[lexgar]

I appreciate that David, but the issue does not seem to be with the O-ring. The diameter of the tip itself is bigger than the imports. No matter which 510 atty I am using, the tip itself just barely fits inside and not without having to wiggle it.

I will happily send it to you with a dead atty or two so you can see the fit. Not sure if this was just a machined piece slightly off spec or if you mean them to be this tight. I read in several places that it was recommended to take on and off to wear in, but this tightness is just not usable as is. Perhaps I will have to order both your Delrin and SS to see how they compare. Works fine on the 901, but 510 is my daily atty of choice.

 

[forcedfuel50]

I appreciate that David, but the issue does not seem to be with the O-ring. The diameter of the tip itself is bigger than the imports. No matter which 510 atty I am using, the tip itself just barely fits inside and not without having to wiggle it.

I will happily send it to you with a dead atty or two so you can see the fit. Not sure if this was just a machined piece slightly off spec or if you mean them to be this tight. I read in several places that it was recommended to take on and off to wear in, but this tightness is just not usable as is. Perhaps I will have to order both your Delrin and SS to see how they compare. Works fine on the 901, but 510 is my daily atty of choice.

Yeah, send it to me and i'll micrometer it. My imported ones i have measure .338 +/- 1 on the bottom diameter where it inserts into the atomizer, which is the same as mine measure, .338(which stands to reason as they copied my design). Perhaps yours was mis-machined, I can send you out a new one, no problem.

 

[Vaporologist]

And this level of customer service is the reason why the customer data base keeps on growing, and growing, and growing.........

 

[lexgar]

And this level of customer service is the reason why the customer data base keeps on growing, and growing, and growing.........

This is why I sent back the Aluminum Shorty and then went ahead and ordered 2 more tips.