Can't get SS mesh working well

[exodus454]

So I just got an AGA-T a few days ago and it seems like a pretty great RBA. Only issue is that I can't get the SS mesh to work for the life of me! It doesn't seem to wick great, and I can't manage to get the coil on there in a stable enough manner to not get shorts and hotspots. I'm using 500 mesh, and I've been trying 28 & 34g kanthal. Maybe my procedure is screwed up somehow?

So first I cut a piece of mesh, as tall as the tank and the most recent one was 70mm long. (which seemed a little too fat)
Trim up all the edges
Roll it up. I haven't been using anything to roll it around and have been going for solid wicks. I also haven't been folding the outer edge.
Oxidize wick. I don't have a well working butane pencil torch, so I've been using a full-size bernzomatic torch with mapp gas and propane. Maybe too much?
Fit wick into tank, trim bottom and top.
Take wick out, use drill bit that's the same size as the hole to wrap the kanthal around, then attach positive and negative posts.
Remove drill bit, drop wick in and do a test burn without juice
Fiddle with coils indefinitely because they keep shorting against the wick
At this point I'll try putting some juice on there and see if the juice will help coat under the coils
It usually helps, but anytime I've tried to vape it, it just tastes like the most god awful burnt hotness.


I've been finding that after oxidizing the wick it tends to not be smooth anymore and I end up with a lumpy wick. I've also been trying to fiddle with the coils and it does make vapor and the level in the tank drops but I haven't even come close to getting a satisfying vape off it yet.

Help?! This stuff is frustrating as hell!

 

[Huffelpuff]

I would try using a piece of cigarette paper to help with the oxydation:

For oxidizing try the rolling paper method:

Wrapping A Genesis Atty Using Rolling Paper - YouTube

Also make sure that when you are wrapping the wire around center post that you are not pulling too tight on the connection.

If you can't get it to go also post a pic. Some of the Genny experts may be able to help you out by seeing where the hot spot is.

Hang in there. It takes a bit to get the hang of it. Once you've got it down it'll be like second nature.

 

[exodus454]

I would try using a piece of cigarette paper to help with the oxydation:

For oxidizing try the rolling paper method:

Wrapping A Genesis Atty Using Rolling Paper - YouTube

Also make sure that when you are wrapping the wire around center post that you are not pulling too tight on the connection.

If you can't get it to go also post a pic. Some of the Genny experts may be able to help you out by seeing where the hot spot is.

Hang in there. It takes a bit to get the hang of it. Once you've got it down it'll be like second nature.

I'm not giving up, I just figured I'd come ask for help before I use up all of my 12x12" sheet of mesh. I've seen the rolling paper method, maybe I'll have to go pick some up tomorrow. I'm gunna give the whole wick thing another go once my new juice gets here tomorrow.

 

[danimal40]

did you treat the wick.. after oxy the wick i always drip juice on it then set it on fire ..i do this like 5 times to build up a lil carbon on it

 

[Rule62]

I've been finding that after oxidizing the wick it tends to not be smooth anymore and I end up with a lumpy wick. I've also been trying to fiddle with the coils and it does make vapor and the level in the tank drops but I haven't even come close to getting a satisfying vape off it yet.

Help?! This stuff is frustrating as hell!

This is the part that I found a little strange. Too much heat, maybe? The wick shouldn't be lumpy after oxidizing it.

 

[C Heise]

I'm new to rba's also. All I've used is the stove to oxidize my wicks. I heat and quench. I don't fold the edge. I don't juice burn either but I assumed it may give it a burnt taste so I figured unless I had problems I wasn't going to do it. Whether or not that attributes to the burnt taste I honestly couldn't tell you. I haven't had any problems with shorting. I haven't made a solid wick yet either but I've noticed a majority of the juice in my wicks seems to get pulled up through the center of the wick when I fire it. I use 400 though. I haven't tried 500 mesh yet. I position the wick about 1mm from touching the bottom of the tank when inserting it. I've used 28g and 32g coils and I found that I don't like the 28g with stainless because it seems like it takes forever for the coil to heat up which I assume is due to some amount of heat transfer to the stainless. I like using 28g on threaded wicks though. I temper the wire with a heat and quench before wrapping it which I do around the wick while my needle is still in it. I check it with my meter and also check the resistance with my device before I fire it. I've found the biggest factor is getting the coil right is tension. If it's too tight I get hot spots on the positive side. If it's too loose I get hot spots where it isn't making contact with the wick. I try to get the tension so it will hold the wick, but I can move it with very little resistance. The less you have to fiddle with it after installing it, the less likely you'll remove oxidation and end up with shorts. I realize none of this tells you exactly what your problem is but maybe you'll find something in it that'll help you trouble shoot your setup?

 

[Huffelpuff]

There are a lot of methods that work. For me, I used to use the torch and the quench. I've since cut out the quenching and opted for torching to red glow 3xs - try to make each part of the wick glow red for like 15 seconds or so, cool, and repeat. The torches are relatively inexpensive. You can find them for like $20 at Lowes - purchase online and pick up local.

My last set up took me like 1.5 weeks to get going doing a u wick. I was just about ready to give up when I got the hang of it. Now it's like nothing to throw together. Just keep trying till you get it and then reproduce it.

 

[vapdivrr]

with the aga-t the wick hole is quite a distance from the pos post. if your wick is just straight, then youll get the top hot spot. try slightly bending the wick over towards the post, then attach, but not to tight. some people add a small washer under the first nut to bring the distance over a bit. also a lumpy wick, havent heard ofthat one yet. but one thing, your using 500 mesh and are trying for a solid wick then the 70mm of mesh shouldnt be to much. i have the same device and using 500 mesh, i start out with a piece 4-1/4 in long x 1-5/8 in. after pre-oxidized, roll up as tight as possible, burn & quench really good, then re-roll as tight as you can. then burn & quench again, then re-roll as tight as you can, then the last burn & quench after this re-roll as tightly as possible. now your wick should fit into the device, also do a couple of juice burns and your wick should be good.

 

[exodus454]

Ok, I'm gunna give this another go here using a butane torch (instead of propane) and pay attention to making the wick a little more closely. I'm gunna try pre-oxidizing and oxidizing again along the way and see if I can cram that 70mm of mesh into the hole smoothly.

 

[Michael James]

I've found it easier to oxidize the mesh before rolling it, can keep a better eye on the color of it. Should be a rusty brown color, shouldn't be black until rolled up and a few juice burns.

Had to add too that I got an aga-t to start, never could get it working right, but went ahead and got a z atty u, and 2 wicks later it's hitting like a champ. I think that the center post and top screw is bigger it keeps from shorting on the 1st wrap.

 

[exodus454]

I think I got it! I don't have any eliquid at the moment to fully test it with, but I got no shorts and nice, evenly heating coils!

I really think the biggest problem was using a full size torch in previous attempts, the mesh has a completely different look and feel to it now. Last time it was hard and almost glazed, now you can still see the porosity of the mesh. I also payed a lot more attention to rolling the wick in my fingers to get it fitting perfectly in the coil and I think that helped a lot as well. I managed to get 70mm in there with no problem, I could probably get 80+ in there next time. I also torched the kanthal before I wrapped my coil and that seemed to make it much more manageable as well, and I managed to get 2/3 wraps of 34g on there. I have some 28g too but my buzz doesn't like the low resistance whatsoever. I also have to remember to get some little stainless washers too, the hot leg stuff on the positive side is a little annoying.

I put some junk liquid on the wick and I seem to be getting a lot more vapor now than in previous attempts.. now I just gotta wait for the mailman to show up with something vapable so I can actually fill the tank up.

I really need to get a mech mod, I think I keep hitting the amp limit on my buzzpro and the batteries are getting warmer than I've ever felt them get.

EDIT - the whole putting the wick at an angle to get it closer to the top post is screwing me up.. I can get the wick and coil aligned perfectly vertical but then tilting it a bit the coil presses on one side of the wick.

 

[EDO]

When doing a set up....all the tension should be in the coil and none on the wick.....you should be able to slide the wick out very easily and slide it back in very easily if you do a proper build. Tilting the wick at an angle is asking for trouble....check out this link:

Unoxidized SetUp - Tutorial on Vimeo

If a set up is done properly you don't even have to oxidize your wick...as demonstrated by the video.

 

[vapdivrr]

When doing a set up....all the tension should be in the coil and none on the wick.....you should be able to slide the wick out very easily and slide it back in very easily if you do a proper build. Tilting the wick at an angle is asking for trouble....check out this link:

Unoxidized SetUp - Tutorial on Vimeo

If a set up is done properly you don't even have to oxidize your wick...as demonstrated by the video.

yes, usaully tilting the wick is not neccesary, but in the aga-t you really need to get the wick closer to the center post somehow, by either positioning the wick a little closer or adding the little washers . if you do not you will most likely get a hot spot on the top coil.

 

[EDO]

Yeah the AgaT the wick hole is too far from the center post....I would definitely add some washers instead of tilting the wick though.

 

[sawlight]

yes, usaully tilting the wick is not neccesary, but in the aga-t you really need to get the wick closer to the center post somehow, by either positioning the wick a little closer or adding the little washers . if you do not you will most likely get a hot spot on the top coil.

This, this, this and some more of this! Even after getting mine going I'm still having to fiddle with it all the time to keep the top of the wick close to the pos post and keep the hot spots out of the coil!
Also, don't get the nuts on the pos coil as tight as you can, I know it sounds counter intuitive, but it does help!
I had a dark 555 type juice that never did taste right, changed to a lighter juice and it helped. Once you get it going, when you start to taste the burnt flavor STOP! Take off the cap and burn it, I'll bet anything you have a new hot spot on the top coil!

 

[EDO]

This, this, this and some more of this! Even after getting mine going I'm still having to fiddle with it all the time to keep the top of the wick close to the pos post and keep the hot spots out of the coil!
Also, don't get the nuts on the pos coil as tight as you can, I know it sounds counter intuitive, but it does help!
I had a dark 555 type juice that never did taste right, changed to a lighter juice and it helped. Once you get it going, when you start to taste the burnt flavor STOP! Take off the cap and burn it, I'll bet anything you have a new hot spot on the top coil!

That is why I recommend you guys to use the washers and not tilt the wick towards the center post. It is a temporary solution...if you can't slide your wick out easily after a build it means that it won't be stable....you will get hot spots sooner than later. Even if initially you don't get hot spots the flavor will be muted. Watch the video I posted it will help you out a lot.

 

[sawlight]

That is why I recommend you guys to use the washers and not tilt the wick towards the center post. It is a temporary solution...if you can't slide your wick out easily after a build it means that it won't be stable....you will get hot spots sooner than later. Even if initially you don't get hot spots the flavor will be muted. Watch the video I posted it will help you out a lot.

But I'm stuck at home playing babysitter for a few more days yet, as soon as I can get out I'll get some, but the smallest I have are #8's here, which are way too big!

 

[EDO]

There is never the right washer, o-ring, screw etc..... when you need it.

 

[Rule62]

If you have an Ace Hardware in your area, they have a good selection of stainless steel, metric screws, nuts, washers, etc. I took one of my Gennys in, and went through the stuff, until I found some washers that were just right.

 

[sawlight]

That's the plan, but probably wont be until Saturday, I'll see if my son wants to travel tomorrow, but he's pretty cranky this week so far!