Built my first completely DIY mod over the weekend. i think it turned out decent for a first try.

[rolf]

hi red13 ! looks great !! simple and should be very reliable to ..to put a bug in your ear..if you get bored...lay up some carbon fiber epoxy on a piece of the same tube with mold release. and cut to size for the center ..between caps. have funn modding

 

[Johnny Skillish]

Great mod! I love the copper too!

 

[Schnarph]

I found this thread on accident, and was planning on building the exact same thing. I've made a flashlight mod but was disappointed in the aluminum and lousy threading on a cheap flashlight. I have a $20 flashlight that will fit and flat head 18650, but that defeats the point of making a cheap mod. I found myself looking at 3/4" ID M copper pipe in HomeDepot, it looked perfect. I didn't think my idea was going to be original, as vaping has been around for years and I just got off cigalikes last January.

I haven't thought of a safe, reliable way to make a mechanical switch yet, so I'll be using C&K switches for the first one or two copper pipe mods. I picked up a Zmax control board for a third pipe mod, and once I find a good switch/button cover and window I'll tackle that job. I have some Lexan for the window, and a trimmed ink pen clicker might work for the button but I'm more interested in making a semi-mechanical mod first. I would like to remove the red ink stamp that runs down the side of the pipe, and that will leave the copper unprotected from the acids of the environment. I'm not sure how quickly sweat, oils, and e-liquid will patina the copper, but I've read that wax paste like Johnson's is good for basic protection. I'll probably try some torching on the second one, I really like the iridescent look.

I ran across a couple of videos on you tube when making the most obvious search, "copper pipe mod". One of them seems like a bad idea, the other has a great solution to end cap "threading". I really like this thread and I hope these videos will provide as much inspiration to the rest of you as they did for me.


continued...

 

[Schnarph]

Although I would prefer to use a switch than just spring action, this video has a nice threading solution that should be easy enough to copy using a Dremel or similar type tool.

Happy modding folks, stay safe and check for shorts before you insert a battery. Thanks for the thread, nice job everybody!

 

[Schnarph]

I finished the first one. I'm not very happy with the button, I'm not sure why I went with that one. This is modular, so I only need to build another top section (the hard part). I have better, smaller momentary switches like the C&K. Note: the copper wire coil inside the tubes is only a spacer. There are 5 vent holes in the bottom cap, no springs, all press fit (VERY snug).

 

[Bronze]

Lots of batt options! looks nice.

 

[BdMoore85]

That's a cool mech dude! Fine-tune it and put some FIZAZZZZ on them and next thing you know you could be putting GG outta business- all USA made baby!

 

[Schnarph]

Bump! I would like to thank the thread starter again, and should say that I have no intention of hijacking this thread. I find this to be a perfect place to post all things related to copper pipe mods, Red13 and his awesome mod deserve many views. Thank you sir!

I have finished a second copper pipe mod, almost exactly like what I had in mind the first time. The switch is a C&K rated for 3amps at 120v AC, in the pics below both mods have 18500 batteries installed. Total height for the new model using a 18500 battery is 3 1/16". The 510 connector was cut to it's smallest possible height, and it was not easy to fit in the tube with the switch. The 18650 is for scale, though both mods can use basically any size 18000 series battery, stacked, or "Kicked". I had to cut the pipe connector to fit a 18500 battery, so it can't fit a 18350 without a "Kick". I think it's small enough already.

Many thanks again to Red13 and his inspiration!

 

[Innocuous]

I started on a copper months ago, but the switch options just bugged me..

Sans a drillpress, lathe, mill or a dremel - I can't think of anything nicely simple and mechanical except a plunger or knife-switch.

You guys have got some lovely mods there!