Anyone try the A7 RBA ?? Will it fit?

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nightfell

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I just did a mod on the A-7. That center post on the bottom, basically it is a screw with a hole in it, would be very loose when it was lowered enough to fire on my REO's. It shorted out my Grand.

So, I took the A-7 apart and looked to see what I was dealing with. Like I said it is a small screw that threads into a tube. When lowered most of the threads are not screwed in. So it fits loose.

I took a cartos condom and cut a circular piece from the open end. About 1/8 inch wide. Then cut it so it was a band instead of a ring. I unscrewed the screw as much as I could and still have it stay in the tube. Took one end of the condom strip and started placing it around the head of the screw. Kept going till both ends met then cut off extra so it formed a ring around the screw. Tightened the screw and no more movement side to side!

If you look at the Reomizer you will see that around the center post on the bottom there looks to be a silicon ring keeping the screw in the middle. It keeps it from moving and touching the sides.

With the mod I did mine now looks like the Reomizer and is very stable.

Nice work, I also picked up an A7 to play with, I'll have to try this trick out.
 

oldbroad

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I just did a mod on the A-7. That center post on the bottom, basically it is a screw with a hole in it, would be very loose when it was lowered enough to fire on my REO's. It shorted out my Grand.

So, I took the A-7 apart and looked to see what I was dealing with. Like I said it is a small screw that threads into a tube. When lowered most of the threads are not screwed in. So it fits loose.

I took a cartos condom and cut a circular piece from the open end. About 1/8 inch wide. Then cut it so it was a band instead of a ring. I unscrewed the screw as much as I could and still have it stay in the tube. Took one end of the condom strip and started placing it around the head of the screw. Kept going till both ends met then cut off extra so it formed a ring around the screw. Tightened the screw and no more movement side to side!

If you look at the Reomizer you will see that around the center post on the bottom there looks to be a silicon ring keeping the screw in the middle. It keeps it from moving and touching the sides.

With the mod I did mine now looks like the Reomizer and is very stable.

Brilliant, Karen!
 

nerak

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Some pics to show mod fix in progress.

This is how it looks when purchased. Center screw is loose, turns and moves easily.
IMG_1738_zps01bc15c2.jpg


Putting the strip of condom in. Screw is sticking out past bottom.
IMG_1740_zpsc30df251.jpg


Screw is still sticking out past connector bottom. Ring inserted.

IMG_1741_zpsca65d32a.jpg


Finished. Screw is stable. Now flush with bottom, no movement.

IMG_1743_zpsee43dd43.jpg
 

FeistyAlice

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I just did a mod on the A-7. That center post on the bottom, basically it is a screw with a hole in it, would be very loosest when it was lowered enough to fire on my REO's. It shorted out my Grand.

So, I took the A-7 apart and looked to see what I was dealing with. Like I said it is a small screw that threads into a tube. When lowered most of the threads are not screwed in. So it fits loose.

I took a cartos condom and cut a circular piece from the open end. About 1/8 inch wide. Then cut it so it was a band instead of a ring. I unscrewed the screw as much as I could and still have it stay in the tube. Took one end of the condom strip and started placing it around the head of the screw. Kept going till both ends met then cut off extra so it formed a ring around the screw. Tightened the screw and no more movement side to side!

If you look at the Reomizer you will see that around the center post on the bottom there looks to be a silicon ring keeping the screw in the middle. It keeps it from moving and touching the sides.

With the mod I did mine now looks like the Reomizer and is very stable.

Fabulous fix Karen. Can't wait to do it.

Hugs, Feisty Alice
 

muriarte

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Thank you, Nerak! The pictures really helped!

Now, would anyone happen to have any advices on drilling the A7? I've dulled 3 bits so far and only got half way through. Had to wait for overheated drill to cool off too. I'm starting to wonder if "A" in "A7" stands for adamantium?

Use wd40 as a refrigerant, spray the bit and keep doing every few seconds it until you are done, then wash your atty very well.
 

nerak

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Uuh, I found a small problem in this method of stabilizing the positive connection screw.

It cuts off any air supply from the bottom. So, unless you drilled the side of your atty to be like the reomizer, this doesn't seem to work :( Unless I did something wrong

Just leave a small gap in the ring of condom. It will let air through. With a thin piece of the condom used I have no problem with the air intake. Mine is like my picture and I have not noticed a difference. The air hole is above the condom piece and not covered.
 
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Commie

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Thank you!

Not sure why I didn't think of that :) I ended up cutting a small (1/8") length of silicone feeder tube I had left from my mod making, and fitting it over the threaded part of the screw. Doesn't make it quite as tight as the condom method, but it works. I'll have to try your way again next time I take it apart.
 

Skeeter T

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A cobalt drill bit goes through it pretty easily, you can pick up up for under three-bucks.


Jack

You're absolutely right. First was High Speed Steel. Then came Cobalt, which works best on Stainless Steel. Then came Carbide
(expensive but worth it) , which is superb on everything. We machine a lot of aluminum, alloy steel and stainless and use Carbide on everything. Carbide inserts, end mills, drills, reamers, etc. last a very long time on aluminum. However, Carbide requires a very rigid set-up and not normally for home use.
 

Quigsworth

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You're absolutely right. First was High Speed Steel. Then came Cobalt, which works best on Stainless Steel. Then came Carbide
(expensive but worth it) , which is superb on everything. We machine a lot of aluminum, alloy steel and stainless and use Carbide on everything. Carbide inserts, end mills, drills, reamers, etc. last a very long time on aluminum. However, Carbide requires a very rigid set-up and not normally for home use.

Good call, cobalt is the bit to get as they will take a bit of lateral stress without breaking, a tungsten carbide bit in a hand drill or a cheap home drill press is a broken bit waiting to happen...I'm still confused why the side hole isn't offered as an option for the A7...it literally takes a pretty good cheap RBA and makes it a great RBA...I just got another one and decided to do a side by side with one of my side air's...it's night and day...and because the guts screw out hole alignment isn't an issue, drill it where ever you want, just rotate the guts to suit...
 
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Skeeter T

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Good call, cobalt is the bit to get as they will take a bit of lateral stress without breaking, a tungsten carbide bit in a hand drill or a cheap home drill press is a broken bit waiting to happen...I'm still confused why the side hole isn't offered as an option for the A7...it literally takes a pretty good cheap RBA and makes it a great RBA...I just got another one and decided to do a side by side with one of my side air's...it's night and day...and because the guts screw out hole alignment isn't an issue, drill it where ever you want, just rotate the guts to suit...

Hadn't thought about rotating the guts. Great observation Quigs. Now I don't have to worry about which side of the posts center-line I put the coil. I seem to get more flavor with the coil close to the side hole in lieu of between the posts.
 

Quigsworth

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I also build on one side of the posts, 1. it's so much easier to do, and 2. it opens up an adjustment a center coil doesn't give you...the ability to move your coil closer to/away from your air hole changing the vape/TH/flavour...even though I know it's most likely serendipity, the makers could claim that's the real reason why they made the center post adjustable...it least I would:laugh:
 

Randy C

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Hi Guys; Happy New Year! I'm ready to roll my sleeves up and start modding my A-7

New A-7 - Check
A-7 disassembled and washed in hot soapy water; then for a soak in Isopropyl alcohol- Check
Wooden dowel to put inside of the A7 to keep its shape while in the vise/drilling- Check
Carto condom to stabilize center post- Check

Now.. I just need drill bits and Buna-n o-rings to seal the base. The smallest cobalt drill bit at Lowes was 1/16", but there is a Grainger down the street from my work, so I'm going to order a few tomorrow. It looks like Grainger has a great selection of Buna-n o-rings too. I think what Rob sells for the Reomizer are just a little bit too thin.

What o-ring size works the best- maybe just a hair thicker than the Reomizer o-ring?
What size cobalt drill bits are optimal?
 
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Commie

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What o-ring size works the best- maybe just a hair thicker than the Reomizer o-ring?
What size cobalt drill bits are optimal?

I found that instead of o-ring, I slip a 1/8" wide band cut from a carto condom over the bottom of the atty and then screw it onto the Reo. It seals the whole catch cup and prevents pocket lint from gathering there.

No idea on the bits. If they have them, I'd go with 1mm and then start enlarging the hole with a dremel until you're happy. A lot of people seem to like 1/16" airhole, though
 

Commie

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I also build on one side of the posts, 1. it's so much easier to do, and 2. it opens up an adjustment a center coil doesn't give you...the ability to move your coil closer to/away from your air hole changing the vape/TH/flavour...even though I know it's most likely serendipity, the makers could claim that's the real reason why they made the center post adjustable...it least I would:laugh:

I'm still working on drilling the airhole (good god, it's slow going), but...

The center coil can still be adjusted as to how far/close from the air intake it is. I just raise or lower it. That little of an adjustment doesn't create hotspots on the legs of the coil.
 
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