Another Newbie

[zemajXD]

Hey everyone!

So I picked up vaping ~18months ago, in an effort to stop smoking. It's been hit and miss, took me a while to get a coil/juice combination that worked for me, then had a relapse, now back at it again. Have figured out I really dislike high nic% juice (its harsh and typically has a taste), and kinda like menthol (which is odd, since I never smoked menthols) & fruity flavors... not so much the 'dessert' flavors. Still a work in progress, but a few less cancer sticks and a few dozen more puffs every day, so it is progress.

First mod was a borrowed Vaporesso Tarot Nano. After I decided this had potential for me I returned that to my friend and ordered a SMOK Alien w/ TFV6 baby tank as that was what he recommended as a good starter kit... what a letdown. Burned through coils every other day and leaked horribly. After pushing on with that as I could, I started doing some (very little) research, and made my first upgrade ~6months back after the Alien turned into a very pretty paperweight: Reuleaux Wismec RX Gen3 w/ Uwell Crown3 tank. This is much better. Along the way have also picked up a SMOK TFV8 CloudBeast (it's alright, with Q4 coils), JayBo Wismec dual-coil RDA ((.25ohm fused clapton build, cotton wicks) nice, but really tight cap and rejuicing every 5 puffs is a pain), & SMOK Skyhook RDTA (this was supposed to solve the rejuicing issues with abovementioned RDA, but instead has been a total pain to even get working... never ohms out right on the RX Gen3 (I test/glow/strum all builds on Coil Master 521mini), and will always have a "Atomizer Short" display within a few puffs, regardless of how many different builds I've tried). Shinyitis hasn't really started getting to me... yet.

Also was gifted ~2gal VG, ~1.5gal PG, and a (literal) toolbox full of Capella flavorings shortly after first starting, but after much mixing, tasting, steeping, tasting, steeping some more, tasting, starting-from-scratch-again, I've pretty much decided I can order juice online just as easy. I may try again at some point, but I have other things to focus on atm. Also recently found out all these have ~2y shelf-life, and have no idea how old all this was when gifted (there was dust on all of it when it was dug out and given to me), so that may have been an issue as well.

Hoping to get some good insight as to RTAs to look at and how to build better (good on Ohm's law, and how to calculate number of wraps, but things like spacing, curvature, etc. are all unknown to me), as that's where I want to go moving forward. All the above tanks I've had success with have all been more DL-type, and I'm interested more in MTL-type, as it's more natural to me, should have more flavor, and also I'm about tired of people asking me if I'm trying to pull the bottom of my tank out through the tip...

Well, I think that's good for getting started. XD

 

[greek mule]

Welcome! A nice set could be Ammit mtl rda on top of Topside squonker 90w

 

[greek mule]

Ooops.I did it again!You said that you are interested at mtl RTA.Here is a nice set:

• Ehpro True mtl RTA
• Aegis mini Cheers

 

[DeloresRose]

Hi and welcome!

I diy, but I hear you. It takes trial and error and isn’t for everyone. But your vg and flavors will likely be good long past their expiration date, if stored properly, should you want to try later.

I can’t help you with mtl RBAs as I only have a couple, but read through the RBAs sub forum. Loads of info, and everyone will tell you the pros and cons of whatever they’ve tried.

 

[bombastinator]

...ordered a SMOK Alien w/ TFV6 baby tank as that was what he recommended as a good starter kit... what a letdown. ...

Yup. SMOK makes some of the worst mods on the market.

... Wismec RX Gen3 w/ Uwell Crown3 tank. This is much better. Along the way have also picked up a SMOK TFV8 CloudBeast (it's alright, with Q4 coils), JayBo Wismec dual-coil RDA ((.25ohm fused clapton build, cotton wicks) nice, but really tight cap and rejuicing every 5 puffs is a pain)...

Again Yup. RDAs have that issue. It’s a major reason squonkers came out

& SMOK Skyhook RDTA (this was supposed to solve the rejuicing issues with abovementioned RDA, but instead has been a total pain to even get working...

RTAs and RDTAs generally have wicking requirements that are specific to that particular atty. I suggest watching a YouTube review or several that includes wicking the device

never ohms out right on the RX Gen3 (I test/glow/strum all builds on Coil Master 521mini)

That’s odd. Specifics on this might be useful

and will always have a "Atomizer Short" display within a few puffs, regardless of how many different builds I've tried

This may actually be the mod. The releaux is known to sometimes have post hole issues. Again there will be YouTube videos that may help

Shinyitis hasn't really started getting to me... yet.

Heh. It doesn’t happen to everyone. It’s worth resisting though even the worst victims still probably spend less on vape gear than they did on cigarettes

... I've pretty much decided I can order juice online just as easy.

Easier even. For most people who mix, it is either a base issue where they’re allergic to something, or a financial issue where juice just starts to cost too much.

... Also recently found out all these have ~2y shelf-life, and have no idea how old all this was...

That can be a big deal. It’s mostly an oxidation and flavor change issue so stuff that came opened with a lot of air in it will be worse off than stuff that wasn’t, you probably made a bunch of awful tasting stuff that might not have been awful if your materials were still good though

...Hoping to get some good insight as to RTAs to look at

RTAs generally aren’t that complicated. How convenient the posts are for you is really most of it. There are a bunch of airflow variations but I find their effects fairly minor. If I could get a squonk pin for my years old velocity clone I’d probably still be using it. It sounds like the one you got just has o-rings that are a bit too tight. Maybe smaller ones? Though it may just be easier to get a different RTA.

and how to build better

Building is also a lot less complicated than it’s made out to be. Start with simple wire coils, and use some sort of sized mandrel (there are many types) and a coil calculator app and you’ll have basically all you need.

... All the above tanks I've had success with have all been more DL-type, and I'm interested more in MTL-type, as it's more natural to me, should have more flavor

If you like MTL you like MTL, and if you like DL you like DL. No shame in either. DL generally actually nets slightly more flavor than MTL but burns through tons more juice and power. If you want to buy your juice MTL can save a lot of money.

My suggestion on a no muss no fuss MTL tank that can tell you if MTL is the way to go for you is a innokin zenith. It’s a coil cartridge device, but a pretty good one. If you’re interested in a MTL RTA, I personally was quite impressed by the berserker mini. I’ve found that MTL RDAs don’t really gain much. They are easier to wick than RTAs though.

Oh.. and maybe one question at a time next time. Splitting that up was brutal.

 

[Hawise]

My top three MTL RTAs are:

• Kayfun Prime
• EHPro True
• Siren 2

The Doggystyle and the Ares are also popular, although they didn't do it for me.

I find it best to experiment with coils a bit. Different coils (different IDs, resistances, spaced/contact) can work better with different tanks. That said, my standard coil is:

• 2.5 mm ID
• 28 gauge SS316L
• spaced
• ~7 wraps for 0.7 ohms

I use SS wire because I prefer using temperature control (TC). If you don't, you can use other options like kanthal and Nichrome as well. An important point to note is that stainless steel can be used in either wattage or TC mode, but nickel (Ni 200) and titanium (Ti) should only ever be used in TC, not in wattage mode. Kanthal is usually only used in wattage mode because it doesn't work well in TC.

Coils can be contact or spaced. Contact means the coils are right next to each other - in contact, in other words. Spaced means there's a little gap between them. The way I build it is to wrap the wire as though I'm building a contact coil, pull the ends apart to spread out the coil, and then press the coil together firmly again (all while it's still on the jig). I use spaced coils because they work best for TC, so whether you prefer spaced or contact coils will, as with so much else in vaping, depend entirely on you.

 

[Mordacai]

Hello and welcome zemajXD. And yes, SMOK Procolour as first sub ohm. Can't polish a turd, comes to mind.

A high speed steel drill bit is the original old school way of forming a coil, going to be using that way for my Geekvape Ammit 25's. Got them as my first venture into RTA's as they are single coil and look easy to build, quality is also good as well. Now I've just got to get wicking and wire, then the fun begins.

Stainless Steel flat wire or ribbon looks interesting for simple coils, and can be bought cheaply.

steam-engine.org has online tools for coil building, they will show you all the information that you'll need.

And fasttech, an online store based in China will probably be bookmarked on your browser if it hasn't already. Lots of vape gear at reasonable prices, yet delivery can take some time but it's free.

Could we ask where you're based roughly? (US, UK, EU, NZ, ect)

 

[zemajXD]

Thanks for the welcome! Always nice to find an active, responsive community so friendly!

@greek mule
No worries. I'll definitely give them a look, thanks.

@DeloresRose
I most likely will try again at some point. I still have 1gal of VG and the flavorings stored for now, but the rest was used in the learning process...
I had not noticed that subforum, I'll definitely give it a look, thank you.

@bombastinator
Awesome. Thanks for the detailed reply, and wrt your last point, I'll make another post in a second with more specifics on my RTA/RDA issues.

@Hawise
Thanks for the reccomendations, I'll check them out. Also, good to know the info on builds, all good things to know.

@Mordacai
Nice links! An online resource for calculations will be nice indeed and options are always nice when shopping.
I'm in the US.

 

[etma]

Since you mentioned MTL the new tank a few people are taking about is the Damn Vape Fresia.



Another option could be a Billet Box

~The Billet Box~ page 1559 continued...

 

[Vapedog]

Welcome Z

 

[Mordacai]

etma, we're not sure if zemajXD does MTL. As they've listed DTL tanks.

Nothing wrong with either way, as long as you get Nicotine into the system.

 

[bombastinator]

Since you mentioned MTL the new tank a few people are taking about is the Damn Vape Fresia.



Another option could be a Billet Box

~The Billet Box~ page 1559 continued...

Hadn’t heard of this one. Looks quite interesting and different. Instead of making a standard MTL of restricted DL tank, they made one that does both but each a little differently. Luckily(?) I already just blew a gigantic chunk of change on a new mod, so I won’t wind up with another atty. at least this month. It’s a close one though. I wanna try this thing.

 

[greek mule]

No, no, we suggested MTL

 

[Mordacai]

bombastinator, I believe the dark lord himself will offer you a great deal on it.

 

[etma]

etma, we're not sure if zemajXD does MTL. As they've listed DTL tanks.

Nothing wrong with either way, as long as you get Nicotine into the system.

He mentioned on his last paragraph of his initial post he was interested in MTL. Both options I mentioned to the OP are MTL or restrictive DL in case he changes his mind about MTL .

 

[Mordacai]

greek mule, once you go dark side there is no return.

 

[greek mule]

greek mule, once you go dark side there is no return.

 

[Mordacai]

etma, cheap clone is best foray then. Doggystyle or Prime, but transition from DTL will be hard.

 

[Mordacai]

 

[bombastinator]

greek mule, once you go dark side there is no return.

Both Jesus and Obi Wan Kenobi seem to dispute this one.
It doesn’t matter for me anyway. My vaping budget is well and truly blown for this month and possibly the next couple too :/