Beginner RBA?

[Gunner83]

I'm really interested in getting into rba's. I'm watching videos and reading up, but it's pretty overwhelming and seems sort of difficult.

Are there any rba's that would be better for a beginner, or are they all pretty much the same difficulty level? To be specific, I'm looking for something affordable, with a mesh wick and that has a tank (I'm not very interested in those RBA's that use silica wicks that sit in the bottom of the system. It seems like a dripper system?).

 

[kingdal]

You can try out the DID clones, people call them chids. Ive also read good things about the Aga- T. I think either will fit what you're looking for

 

[AZCraig]

If a stainless steel mesh wick'd genesis style RBA is what you are looking to try, then I recommend a full size RBA like the Mongoose or an AGA-T+/T2. What's more, I'd recommend the "Bluegrasslover" method of coating your rolled up wick with cotton fibers where the coil would normally touch the mesh wick. You won't be able to dry burn, but it should eliminate all coil shorts / hot spots.

 

[Gunner83]

I'll look into those. But I thought the AGA-T's use silica wicks? Or can you use mesh wicks in any genesis style atomizer?

 

[dlsw]

I'll look into those. But I thought the AGA-T's use silica wicks? Or can you use mesh wicks in any genesis style atomizer?

AGA's can use either style of wick. They're set up for both. It's still hard to learn, tho...

 

[meli.]

Hi Gunner83, I have an Aga-T and it's brilliant, coils and mesh wicks aren't really that difficult to make but it's something that does take a lot of practice and patience. I'll also add that if I can do it so can you, I'm a clutz by nature.

I think if you're starting out on rba's Bluegrasslovers Method is excellent and on your Vamo you will certainly make huge clouds of vapour, sweet and tasty. I will warn you though the Vamo with an Aga-T is massive, but so rewarding.

 

[BlkWolfMidnight]

Howdy,

I know you don't care for Silica but it would help establish the fundamentals for SS Mesh coil wraping (plus having a drip atomizer for trying flavors at meet-ups is always a good thing).
The AGA-T or AGA-T+ is a great little SS Mesh atomizer, def. a power plant of vapor and flavor when built out properly. The idea is to have fun with it, take your time as anything done with time and patience is worth the effort.

 

[Rule62]

I started out with the DiDalikes, or Chids, (same thing, different nicknames), then on to the AGA-Ts. They're fairly inexpensive; and the principle is the same. Some come with a couple pieces of mesh, and a bit of wire, to get you started. From there, you may, or may not, move on to the higher end units. Again, the principle is the same; and the resulting vape and flavor quality depends on the proficiency of the builder (you). A $15 RBA will preform as well as a $150 RBA, if set up correctly. The difference between the high end units, and the Chinese counterparts, is material, hardware, like screws, nuts, etc., and machining quality.

 

[Thrasher]

its not hard or difficult but more on the fiddly side until you have done it a few times the actual setup is easy its the adjustments that drive you crazy, but it comes down to patience and practice.
if your willing to put in the time to play, learn and work at it they will reward you with head spinning vapor. my first time I almost gave up and then thought wait too many other people got this to work, take a break, come back and try again. and wham I had to sit down a few minutes after the first few puffs and thought mmmk now i get it wow.

 

[urquidezj]

Howdy,

I know you don't care for Silica but it would help establish the fundamentals for SS Mesh coil wraping (plus having a drip atomizer for trying flavors at meet-ups is always a good thing).
The AGA-T or AGA-T+ is a great little SS Mesh atomizer, def. a power plant of vapor and flavor when built out properly. The idea is to have fun with it, take your time as anything done with time and patience is worth the effort.

this is what i tell every person that are about to dive into rbas, start simple with a dripper. phoenix, igo, a7, all super easy to build and very inexpensive. master that and you will have an understanding of genisis. it took me over a year to finally get genis working for me, been using rbas since i began vaping, bought a total of 5 510s and 306s then made my own. this is the best you can do start simple. wrap, mount, meter, cap, juice and vape. genis are a bit more invovled.

 

[Gunner83]

Thanks for all the info, everyone.

Looks like I'll be tacking an AGA-T onto my next order. I was looking at VaporJoes blog and see that SmartVapes carries it, and it looks like it comes with mesh, instead of silica.

 

[Gunner83]

One more question;

I've read the sticky in this subforum, about the wires and resistance. Am I reading it right, that the gauge of the wire is what determines your ohms? I'm looking for a little under 3ohms, so it appears 36 gauge kanthal would be what I'm looking for?

But I was just watching a video on the AGA-T where a guy put one together with mesh, instead of silica. At one point, when he was making his coil, he said something like "I think I'm going to go for 5 coils, which should give me about 1ohm."

I'm a little confused. He also said he was using 32 gauge wire, which according to the chart, would give him around the 1ohm he was talking about. Just that one comment about the # of coils threw me off, though.

 

[Rule62]

Resistance is determined by material the wire is made of, wire diameter, and length. The length factor is determined by the number of wraps around the wick. The more wraps, the more wire used. The more wire used, the higher resistance.

 

[tim_man]

I'd say the ebaron dripper is the best RBA for beginners, but it has silica wicks

eBaron Drippers

 

[Thrasher]

the higher the number gauge the higher the resistance wrap for wrap. i use 32 around 5/4 wraps and come up right around 2 ohms.

 

[urquidezj]

I'd say the ebaron dripper is the best RBA for beginners, but it has silica wicks

eBaron Drippers

No way is the ebaron for beginners tin, nr wire is involved, one must learn the basics first to make the ride more enjoyable or literally pull your hair out and buy cigs cuz it frustrates you so much. Phoenix igo or a7 best beginner attys at a cheap price. Mind you I started rebuilding 510s before I built a big bowl dripper shortly after starting and the nr wire r wire deal at the time was pretty annoying. Now it's a snap but as far as easiest setup goes, those three I mentioned, I can have one of those setup in less than 2 minutes.

 

[urquidezj]

the higher the number gauge the higher the resistance wrap for wrap. i use 32 around 5/4 wraps and come up right around 2 ohms.

But, if the wick has a diff diameter, 4/5 wrap changes ohms. I personally like 2mm wick folded over three times 4 wraps of 30 gauge lands you about 1.3 ohm really good vape at 4.5 volts

 

[Thompson]

eBarons are mighty expensive too in comparison to other RBA, dripper or tank.

I also say go for the AGA-T+/T2 (+ has a plastic tank, T2 has glass). They should start showing up in stores soon if they haven't already.

But for the insanely cheap cost, getting a dripper RBA isn't a bad idea. Better for testing juice and easier setup & maintenance. I think the A7 is usually around $10.

 

[tim_man]

No way is the ebaron for beginners tin, nr wire is involved, one must learn the basics first to make the ride more enjoyable or literally pull your hair out and buy cigs cuz it frustrates you so much. Phoenix igo or a7 best beginner attys at a cheap price. Mind you I started rebuilding 510s before I built a big bowl dripper shortly after starting and the nr wire r wire deal at the time was pretty annoying. Now it's a snap but as far as easiest setup goes, those three I mentioned, I can have one of those setup in less than 2 minutes.

Well, I heard they can be done without nr wire. In addition, while you are practicing making the coils, you can purchase ready made ceramic coils in 5 packs. It is a bit expensive though...

 

[urquidezj]

Yeah people built the vivi nova off my tut twisting the wires at the end but I like to just setup correctly and vape the setup as much as I can. Ody lasted me 2 months hehe, genis forever, the tinkering stage of finding the spot is gone for me.
You can also do this, I need to make a tut but will run it fast
Hh357 atty sleeve (or any sleeve off a 510
Ce2 ceramic,
Phoenix bottom coil cs3 clearo
Use the base off the cs3 build your coil in the ce2 place it the base, positive gets grabbed with bottom center pin, neg under the small oring on the ce3 base, 510 atty sleeve slips on perfectly, bam instant smaller ebaron lol. I got a lot of time on my hands hehe