Blue Foam PLUG! UPDATED v2.0 "THE SLUG" - The Search is over!

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Kent C

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Jun 12, 2009
26,547
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NW Ohio US
eclypse says: Kent.. not trying to be mean but its hard to understand your post. Proof read and correct please.. Maybe had a few too many beers or were tired. hehehe.

Here's the quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kent C
Just one comment on this, not to promote any particular mod but just to point out a physical fact. Most, not all, 510/901 carts have two ridges on the inside. (the ones from TW that are the 'two piece' type carts like the 801 are different). But the size of the plug matters in the ones that have those horizontal 'ridges' inside because the foam because it's coarser than oem filler, acts much like a horizontal spring mod and has some tension on the sides - a bigger sized plug (even with no straw support) is more likely not to get shoved down past those ridges.


This is the only part that appears 'odd':

"But the size of the plug matters in the ones that have those horizontal 'ridges' inside because the foam because it's coarser that oem filter, acts much like a horizontal spring mod....

Should read:

"But the size of the plug matters in the ones that have those horizontal 'ridges' inside because the foam (because it's coarser than the oem filter), acts much like a horizontal spring mod....

sorry...

Are you saying that the carts that TW sells are different from the norm?
Cause thats where i bought my carts from and they have the 2 lips/ridges in them.

The ones that I've gotten from TW (in the US anyway) have been different. They are two piece, like the 801 cart, rather than the "0" type carts for the 901/501 where they are only one piece. Perhaps they have sold both types in the past or even now, but the ones I got from them most recently are the two piece types.

I've tried a bigger plug and it dont wick as good.. basicly way my plug/slug/shotgun are all the same width as thats where the sweet spot is for me.

I understand that and I'm only pointing out that with those type of carts that have the ridges/lips that a bigger plug can act like a spring does and the ridges/lips will hold the bigger plug better than a smaller one IF you're not using any support under it like an actual spring or the large straw in whatever configuration one would use.

And just to be clear, when I say straw here, I'm not talking about a straw in the original 'straw mod'. Although I do use that straw mod with the plug.

I don't think wicking is as big a factor as gravity is, as far as getting the juice to the plug with this method. It is _a_ factor.

I've tried all three versions of yours, along with just the foam plug with the straw mod, all 4 ways evacuate the juice under the plug nicely. For me, the original straw mod helps in refilling, only.
 

Goldbug

Unregistered Supplier
ECF Veteran
Nov 16, 2009
404
171
Indianapolis
indyvaporshop.com
Tried it. Except used Tulle from Hobby Lobby. Seems to work the same as PTB but yards of the stuff was only about $3. Frayed the ends and used small straw, keeping the straw about 1/8 inch from the edge of the cart. The frayed Tulle extends to the edge, so the straw is not visible and not open to leak.

First think I noticed was how dense the vapor was and the flavor was OUTSTANDING! Much better than the Tulle by itself.
 

P4C0

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Jul 27, 2009
90
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Panama
Hello Forum,

I made a trip to my local pet store, couldn't find the exact brand, but I bought 3 different filters that looks similar, here are the pictures:

http://img42.imageshack.us/i/img00061200911281355.jpg/
http://img121.imageshack.us/i/img00060200911281355.jpg/
http://img22.imageshack.us/i/img00062200911281356.jpg/

I know that I can buy the exact one from ebay but since I'm not in the US, paying 7 dollars shipping for a 2 dollar item just doesn't seem right to me :p

This is how the first one looks like:
http://img42.imageshack.us/i/img00063200911281356.jpg/

As you can see it's black and it looks like a plastic(?) mesh, the second one is blue and with similar material:
Imageshack - img00065200911281357

The third one is more or less the same but the mesh seems to be bigger (it seems to be less compact)...

Brands are:
- Penn-Plax, Cascade Bio-Sponge
- Fish@Hotel.series, Filtration media replacement for the ec hexa 2
- TetraPond replacement foam blocks

What do you think? should I give them a try? I haven't been able to find what they are made of, but they cost 2.65, 1.75 and 1.75 USD, for that price it seems (to me, IMHO) that they don't have any active elements?

To try or not to try? :)
 

Slickstick

Unregistered Supplier
ECF Veteran
I have no idea... Wash and rinse them first. I was scared to you the blue foam. It tasted bad at first. But I ain't dead. If I had them myself first I would wash them with soap and rinse them and then I would try them all and see which one held best. Just remember to wash the crap out of them and rinse really well. let them dry and wash them again and rinse again. Then cut them to filter or plug size and let them dry. Then wash them, then rinse them again. then test with water if they leak bad or drip slow or just pool on the filter. Then wash them really good. Then rinse them and let them dry. Then I would attempt to use them. Don't forget to wash and rinse.
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
815
0
Macomb MI
Hello Forum,

I made a trip to my local pet store, couldn't find the exact brand, but I bought 3 different filters that looks similar, here are the pictures:

http://img42.imageshack.us/i/img00061200911281355.jpg/
Imageshack - img00060200911281355
Imageshack - img00062200911281356

I know that I can buy the exact one from ebay but since I'm not in the US, paying 7 dollars shipping for a 2 dollar item just doesn't seem right to me :p

This is how the first one looks like:
Imageshack - img00063200911281356

As you can see it's black and it looks like a plastic(?) mesh, the second one is blue and with similar material:
Imageshack - img00065200911281357

The third one is more or less the same but the mesh seems to be bigger (it seems to be less compact)...

Brands are:
- Penn-Plax, Cascade Bio-Sponge
- Fish@Hotel.series, Filtration media replacement for the ec hexa 2
- TetraPond replacement foam blocks

What do you think? should I give them a try? I haven't been able to find what they are made of, but they cost 2.65, 1.75 and 1.75 USD, for that price it seems (to me, IMHO) that they don't have any active elements?

To try or not to try? :)

Its coming from overseas so ofcourse its gona cost more to ship.. though like i always say, buy more to make up for the shipping cost.. Sell them to forum members where you live or to friends.

No idea on the stuff you have there.. try it and see. If you feel wierd or it tastes wierd DONT USE IT!

But yeah, wash and rinse it good.. pat it try on a towel.
 

k lady

Full Member
ECF Veteran
Oct 5, 2009
65
0
Montana
Well, eclypse, you know I've been following (literally) your progress and here's what I think today (this could change tomorrow!): Your elaborate straw work is totally unnecessary. A straw appx 3/8" in diameter, cut to length about 1/8" taller than the cart "shoulders" and with notches snipped at the bottom, serves just as well. I believe this mod came from Kristen (and I thank her very much.) The reason I prefer it to the plug just resting on the cart "shoulders" is because I think the straw aids in capillary action, I am able to get more liquid in the cart, and it cuts down on flooding episodes. Top the cart with a correctly sized plug and I'm done. The blue foam is still the best absorbant material I've tried (and I thank YOU for that.) One just has to be prepared to cut a new plug once in a while as they do lose their good properties. Tried the buff puff Kristen suggested but didn't get it to work well for me. May revisit it, but for now I'm happy with the plug I'm using (this could change tomorrow!)

Like you, I found the "slug" to wick slowly (not give up the juice well) after a while and I could taste the foam too often. I'm convinced that atty fitness and liquid properties have a whole lot to do with how well the various mods work - which is why people have varied successes and why we keep on modding.

Frankly, I'm weary of the whole process and would be more than delighted to wake up tomorrow with the perfect solution having been found! So, keep it up!
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
815
0
Macomb MI
No prob K Lady.. I think my eyes were opened twice tonight and the straw will be gone by tomorrow.. unless i do what my wife wants me to do with my free day and thats put up the christmas tree. :( :( :( I'd rather jump off a tall building! lol.

Not looking forward to messing around with that pre-lit tree we bought 2 years ago and used for the first time last season.. thing is possesed! Totally haunted forsure. Lights flicker on and off only on the top half and i tried to fix that damn thing last year when i took it down.. i believe i gave up and ripped the damn lights off of it in fustration! It was such a horrific experiance that i blocked out the memory of the outcome.. dont know if i replaced the lights or completely striped it of all lights with thoughts of re attaching a new set of lights on it.. lol. yeah. i dont wana relive the experiance again.

I have a feeling i better start the day off with a couple of Bare Asprines to save me from the hart attack coming from that damn tree! lol.
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
815
0
Macomb MI
Later on today i'm going to introduce you to the new slug! hehe.

Go out a buy a bag of 4" clear/white Zip ties! If theres any smaller please let me know.

Just toped the original slug... no more shotgun slug.

Hopefully this is something you got in a drawer in your house already.

Cut down the length of the zip tie with snips or scissors.. Be careful with the scissors! Make sure to keep your fingers out of the way if you slip!

You want a thin strip but not too thin...

Bend it over but keep an arch.. You may want to bend it over a pencil to help form the arch. The arch will give it strength so it wont collapse.

I'll add the length of the zip tie in a min.. i want to empty this cart first just to make sure its working as good as it seems ;) But basicly for the 510 you want it the same height of the inner lip in the cart as the slug would rest on as before.

EDIT - Cut the length of the zip tie about 1 1/8th" long.

You want it going diaginal from corner to corner. FILL the cart to the top and slap in your slug and make sure your sitting down! hehe.

You'll be back to maxing out the amount of juice in the cart again like with the clug but you dont have to worry about the slug falling past the lip and sealing the juice down in the cart.

Hits like a ....! lol..

I think i'll call it slug twist!

I get 18 drops in the cart now (max empty cart) from the 14 i was before with the straw.


Basicly stole the idea from Professor Daffy with his ADM-PC: Automatic Drop Mod - Paper Clip Variant

Thinned zip tie shaped the same as his paper clip.

No concern about rusting or corroding paper clip as one pointed out may happen after cutting the clip as the bare metal inside is not protected anymore from the coating on the clip.

Just a note on paper clips.

I have had several rust or corrode. I have no idea how old they were or what they were made of. Some could have been as old as 30 years. I've mostly found them on old documents when cleaning out file cabinets but occasionally have one surface in my dispenser.

I'm not saying this wont work only you might want to keep an eye on it for a while, particularly where you cut it. Galvanizing is a coating so there will be bare steel at the cuts.

If this is found to be false then by all means use the paper clip as it will be easy.. though i've found that the one cut method he uses is much too tall. You'll need 2 cuts (cut both legs) to make it short enough to possition it perfectly for the slug.

Thanks for the idea DD though! Was already thinking about using a thin zip tie as i could'nt think of anything else to use... did think about the paper clip many times but since its a metal always shot the idea down. Steeling that diagonal insertion :) Was thinking about using 2 pieces and thats prob why i didnt try it out yet as i thought that would suck with 2 pieces in there.

Damn that didnt take long to empty that cart! Hits too good now.

EDIT - TOTALLY EMPTIED THE CART! Nothing in there like the good old days with the original slug. heh.

BUT - For some reason i'm noticing a plastic taste in my mouth. Is the zip tie leetching into the juice or is it melting.. I'll empty 1 more cart and look closely at it with a strong loop for signs of melting.

RE EDIT - Drop that.. No taste the second time. ?? Might of been just my brain playing tricks on me or might have to rinse the zip tie before using?? That sounds wired.. anyways.. heh.



EDIT

HOLD IT! Just found out they do make plastic paper clips. lol. Plastic Paper Clips - Plastic Paper Clips

Now are they pure plastic or plastic coated..

ADDED: Totally upped the this blue foam mod! Damn thing hits like a freakin champ! Infact i got such a huge hit i actually coughed! hehe.. I never cough! That was even with a run down 3.7 batt.. DONT TAKE A LONG HIT WITH THIS THING!

This one has to be it my friends! No more miss/dry fires like i was getting with the shotgun slug.. i believe no matter how i cut up the straw it is holding juice from flowing free as needed.
 
Last edited:

pmd

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Aug 14, 2009
207
5
Boston,MA
Help, I'm getting lost in this thread :-x,
What version are you tinkering with now? Since you are much more maticulous at this than I , and have endless patience, I just tried your idea with a twist tie or whatever they are. cut about 1-1/2 inch, made an arch,( but add a small outward fold at each end for stability), inserted into cart, the length I used may have been a smidge too long as the arch sit a tad higher than the 'lips' on the round cart, anyway filled and topped with small plug. I seems to be working. My prob with the straw vers was for me getting the length and cut right, the atty would always push the foam back enough to no always wick good, some worked great others wouldn't.
The ties I have seem kinda weak but I must ask, they have a plastic coating, do you trim this? and is this an issue to taking up too much space in a cart, maybe the ties I hav sitting around are the wrong ones.
I love your inventiveness, but am trying to only use what I have lying around.
...After 40 + pages, me thinks you should have a thread for each version cause I know you will come up with improvemenst to this one too :D
 

k lady

Full Member
ECF Veteran
Oct 5, 2009
65
0
Montana
No prob K Lady.. I think my eyes were opened twice tonight and the straw will be gone by tomorrow.. unless i do what my wife wants me to do with my free day and thats put up the christmas tree. :( :( :( I'd rather jump off a tall building! lol.

Not looking forward to messing around with that pre-lit tree we bought 2 years ago and used for the first time last season.. thing is possesed! Totally haunted forsure. Lights flicker on and off only on the top half and i tried to fix that damn thing last year when i took it down.. i believe i gave up and ripped the damn lights off of it in fustration! It was such a horrific experiance that i blocked out the memory of the outcome.. dont know if i replaced the lights or completely striped it of all lights with thoughts of re attaching a new set of lights on it.. lol. yeah. i dont wana relive the experiance again.

I have a feeling i better start the day off with a couple of Bare Asprines to save me from the hart attack coming from that damn tree! lol.

Hey, now, don't let a Christmas tree kick your ... and ruin your holiday spirit :p! Put as much time and energy in it as you do your mods and make your family happy :), they deserve it!
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
815
0
Macomb MI
Help, I'm getting lost in this thread :-x,
What version are you tinkering with now? Since you are much more maticulous at this than I , and have endless patience, I just tried your idea with a twist tie or whatever they are. cut about 1-1/2 inch, made an arch,( but add a small outward fold at each end for stability), inserted into cart, the length I used may have been a smidge too long as the arch sit a tad higher than the 'lips' on the round cart, anyway filled and topped with small plug. I seems to be working. My prob with the straw vers was for me getting the length and cut right, the atty would always push the foam back enough to no always wick good, some worked great others wouldn't.
The ties I have seem kinda weak but I must ask, they have a plastic coating, do you trim this? and is this an issue to taking up too much space in a cart, maybe the ties I hav sitting around are the wrong ones.
I love your inventiveness, but am trying to only use what I have lying around.
...After 40 + pages, me thinks you should have a thread for each version cause I know you will come up with improvemenst to this one too :D

Zip ties.. not twist ties if thats what your using.

All 3 versions of my mod are listed on the top of the first page so people can find them. I've never stray from my original mod posted in each version.

The lastest will always be in my signature so people can find it easy.

Wifes got me tied up with the tree right now.. if it was just as easy as it sounds.. i gota move all the furnature around to just fit it hehe.

So, if i have the energy i'll hit up a Mejiers tonight on a hunt for plastic paper clips.
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
815
0
Macomb MI
Eclypse - I think you need to stop saying "The search is over!" too soon. You're going to make yourself crazy! LOL! We'll get it eventually! ;)

The search for the right wicking material is over.. Yeah its a plug too just changing the way to hold the foam.

Hopefully before midnight i'll have the plastic paper clips in the cart.. hopefully no added taste.
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
815
0
Macomb MI
No such luck with finding those damn plastic paper clips. All i seen at both meijers and Walgreens was Nylon clips. Those are just Nylon coated over the metal. No good.

Those were my only options that are open 24 hours hehe. I'll try a dollar store tomorrow hopefully.

On another note i bought up a box of 1/4" straws.. just to see if having a bigger size will change things and to also try them in my 2x cart mod even though its working like a champ! hehe.
 
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