Building RBA for Provari

[glassgal]

My rba arrived!!!

I have not built any rba yet, and would like some help and advice (well, a LOT of help and advice). Because it was new, I thought I'd get an assortment of different types for different build requirements, to see what I like the best.

Could you guys help me answer a few questions?

1. Which would you start with as the simplest most practical to rebuild? I have 32 gauge Kanthal and will go get organic cotton balls today. Can you direct me to the simplest thread for building it with what I have?

2. If you have some, which do you like best to Vape on?

From left to right, with Mini as size reference:
Ego Esolid(not sure), Aga-T w/ glass, VH Vivi rebuildable, kayfun, Ithaka, Steam Turbine, Era Hornet, Prive (I got this to go with my Diver, but I traded away the Diver yesterday... IF I get a carto rebuild, I'll get a Sophia):

Taking out the drip and carto rebuildables, these are just the regular atomizer rebuildables (what I want to start with... which would you pick?):

Yes, these are clones. I've never rebuilt a thing in my life, don't see paying $100-$200 each for something I may not want to keep.

However, I was very picky about the clone quality and these are the closest to the actual originals... and after playing with them a bit... I'm wondering if they really are the originals, they are actually incredible ... the metal quality is as good as the Provari's, and the components are incredibly fit and finished. Haven't quite figured out how to disassemble them all yet, since there appears to be a gazillion moving parts in some of them (the Ithaka.... oh wow). No, none came from Fasttech before you ask.

Also, the Steam Turbine drill holes are lined up perfect and the same size (saw a video that said they were messed up so I had to check), and came prebuilt with little stick wicks with wire wrapped around them. Well, they're all prebuilt, but I don't know if the prebuilding is the best way to build.

Opinions and advice really appreciated!!! I'm going to have a million questions, so I figure I should put them all on one thread, and maybe they can help others too. And this is related to Provari, since that's what I'm using these RBA on. Thanks!

 

[Ozwald]

Why spend $300 on an RBA when you can spend $300 on ALL the RBA's

I recall seeing a blog post somewhere on building, but I don't recall what it was off the top of my head. Personally I learned a lot about rebuilding just from watching the assorted videos on each one. Good luck & I'd love to see your progress/results.

 

[Thunderball]

I hate those Kayfuns....why dont you sell it to me..

Do that one last...its the best one IMHO.

 

[glassgal]

Well, I don't mind spending $300 on a RBA IF it's going to be my permanent RBA... and IF it's worth $300. But I don't know what I'm doing, so I compromised with the highest quality clones I could find. If I fall in love with an RBA... I WOULD buy the original. But even in clones, there's apparently quite a difference between the brands and builds. I have been studying the metals... I made MOQ for 5 different SS drip tips so I could tear the metals down in 2000 degrees to see how good the Chinese metals are. There's more to this story, but it's not relevant.

I know there's a lot of videos online... and a lot of rebuilding directions here... but could someone point me at the best one for each type? Or tell me how you build yours if you really like it with a link?

 

[Susan W.]

OMG!!! Sure would be nice if you could do a review or blog on these (not so subtle hint). I'd be totally overwhelmed if I got all those at the same time. They sure do look purty all together like that.

 

[glassgal]

I hate those Kayfuns....why dont you sell it to me..

Do that one last...its the best one IMHO.

Uh... the last one is the Ithaka... and it's THE MOST complex!!! I'm not starting with that one no matter what. The choice is between the Kayfun and Steam Turbine I think (middle 2).

 

[Zbeast08]

I am all ears and subscribed!! I can't offer anything but very very interested!!

 

[Thunderball]

Where did the Kayfun clone come from ?

 

[Impulso]

Glassgal

Try this page

Do a google search of this exactly and you'll find one from another website that shows you how to do it - "Thread-Microcoiling-a-KayFun-Lite"

Also here are a few youtube videos that I found extremely helpful when I was learning my way around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7o7RFoTtw0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyBIikc9wnY

 

[Thunderball]

I would wrap the Kayfun and try to makle a 1.1 or 1.2 ohm coil. Thats what I do for my Provari. Incredible flavor and vape. I do a micro coil on a 5/64 drill bit ....7 wraps with 28 Kanthal If memory serves. With 32 gauge, you will have to experiment... Less than 7 wraps....6 or 5 perhaps ?

Heat your wire with a cig lighter or torch or gas stove top so it will get "rigid" and stay in place when you wrap the coil....if you dont heat the wire, it will stay "springy".

Then you can squeeze the coil together to make it a Micro coil, if thats what you want to do. Theres no right way I guess.... good luck

 

[glassgal]

They are direct from China, Tobeco. However, they are not Tobeco normal stock.

The threading on the Kayfun in my hand is darn close if not identical to the smoothness of the Provari threading, and this metal finish makes the finish on the VTR I just got look like garbage. Well, the VTR finish is kinda bad anyway. It's shiny, but not perfectly smooth flat metal underneath. I already trashed my VTR finish just out of curiosity too... hit it with 600 grit sandpaper to see if it's chromed... LOL!

This is the last photo I have with shiny pretty VTR (I cooked the drip tip on it at 2000 degrees to see if any aluminum or magnesium would separate out- it doesn't). It's looking a bit sad now:

Wanted to add that I will most likely buy the original I like best ANYWAY, once I figure out which I like best, because I would like to compare.

 

[Baditude]

Information Resources for Your First RBA

 

[glassgal]

Thanks for the info, Bad, Impulso, Thunderball.

 

[SpettroJoe]

here are some vids that i have used to rebuild some of those.

here is the one i use for the russian, same as Kayfun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWrFsa6YOaE

ithaka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XxB2UE-ZlI

 

[Ozwald]

They are direct from China, Tobeco. However, they are not Tobeco normal stock.

The threading on the Kayfun in my hand is darn close if not identical to the smoothness of the Provari threading, and this metal finish makes the finish on the VTR I just got look like garbage. Well, the VTR finish is kinda bad anyway. It's shiny, but not perfectly smooth flat metal underneath. I already trashed my VTR finish just out of curiosity too... hit it with 600 grit sandpaper to see if it's chromed... LOL!

This is the last photo I have with shiny pretty VTR (I cooked the drip tip on it at 2000 degrees to see if any aluminum or magnesium would separate out- it doesn't). It's looking a bit sad now:

Wanted to add that I will most likely buy the original I like best ANYWAY, once I figure out which I like best, because I would like to compare.

It doesn't look sad to me, it looks like a custom finish

 

[glassgal]

Oh, no, the VTR in the above pix was what it looked like BEFORE I messed it up. I'm not home right now, so can't get a pix for you, but it looks bad now. Sok, I wanted the VTR for a weight, so I'm planning to shape a rock slab to glue to it, like a custom made knife handle.

The drip tip I sanded too... so the pretty rainbow colors are gone. It's not plated or cheap metal, it's pure stainless after sanding off the color oxidation from the heat, and this may sound odd, but I would swear it was 316L, even tho they told me 304... I thought it was pretty impressive stainless. It's now got the same finish as the Provari mini (brushed tapering to the shiny at the base).

Thanks SpectroJoe. I think I will start with the Kayfun tonite, I'll take pix.

 

[SpettroJoe]

ok so its getting later and just wondering if you have built your coil yet? If so how did it go?

 

[glassgal]

Just walked in the door, and are going to start taking it apart now. I'll take pix of progress.

 

[glassgal]

Ok, this is what I have going on now. The parts:

Taken apart except for the cone thing over the rebuild part:

Cone thing off and separated (not sure why it needed to be 2 parts):

Wick and wire already there.... should I pull this apart first or vape first? I should probably vape first to compare before I pull it apart:

Put back together except for the wick in the cone:

I'm going to go watch some videos and stuff before I do anything else, but that's the Kayfun taken apart. It's not too many parts, and they all make sense.

 

[SpettroJoe]

make sure you wet the wick before putting the chimney back on it if you are going to use that setup