I'm given up on clearos and the such a while back. Just was having one problem after the next. My local b & m introduced me to carto tanks and I have absolutely loved it so far. One issue I've just recently had. I use a few different tanks and have noticed a couple of my liquids don't seem to vape as well with 1 punch in the carto. I didnt really pay much attention until last night when I swapped a carto with 2 punches for one with 1. Im sure I didn't burn the coil up or anything like that. Just seems I have to keep giving it primer puffs to get a good flavor. Any carto advice I can get? I haven't punched any of my own...yet. Would I get better results if I did? Are some punch tools better than others?
carto issues
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Lots of variables for carto tanks. Think of them as positive options
. Just try to at least start with a quality tank or two with good seals or you'll get false info while you work out the Holes, filler density, carto preference, vg/pg issues.
Have fun- it's easy.
I've always punched them myself, it's too easy not to and it gives you full control. At least until you get the hang of it.
. Just try to at least start with a quality tank or two with good seals or you'll get false info while you work out the Holes, filler density, carto preference, vg/pg issues.Have fun- it's easy.
I've always punched them myself, it's too easy not to and it gives you full control. At least until you get the hang of it.
I've started with 3 of the smok dct tanks from the shop near the house. Recently added a couple IBTanked tanks. I absolutely love them. Most the liquid I use is about 70/30, but the one in question, where the taste seems a bit "off" is 50/50 I believe. Is there any specific punch tools that are better? Or are they all basically the same?
I'd guess that 50/50 might have a hard time getting thru 1 hole. The common punch tool sold most places for $12ish seems most popular.
Ok. Thanks for the help. Those holes are the only reason why I'd expect to get different tastes from the same juice. Both cartos are smok 2.0, only difference is 1 hole vs 2 holes.
I use a basic carto punch on mine to get a little better flow. I am using pretty close to 100% VG which is very think. I make larger holes and that helps with the flow. With your ratios you should be good with straight two hole cartos.
Opinions vary on the punches. You can get one that won't warp the tank at all or get a basic one. The basic one will warp the tank slightly which means you want to raise the tank above that area when refilling, otherwise juice will leak while you refill. This is the basic one.
Smoktech DCT Cartomizer Punch
Opinions vary on the punches. You can get one that won't warp the tank at all or get a basic one. The basic one will warp the tank slightly which means you want to raise the tank above that area when refilling, otherwise juice will leak while you refill. This is the basic one.
Smoktech DCT Cartomizer Punch
I do not know if this will help but.... I have found that the VG ratio plays a large role in the type of carto to utilize. I use the smoktech 2 hole (each hole is 1mm) for 50/50 liquids. The are also 2 hole F16's from Boge. For thicker VG ratios, I use the single hole Boge (the hole measures at 2.3mm). One of the other factors is how you draw on the device. I tend to be a middle of road vapor, neither heavy or light draw. I have seen other styles plus you can punch your own. I prefer the pre-drilled kind.
If given the option I prefer the predrilled myself as I have typically pretty bad luck with DIY stuff like this. Not sure the exact hole size but the XL smok cartos with 2 holes I got from IBTanked worked fine. Same carto with 1 hole from my local store doesn't seem to want to feed the juice very well. Same tank, voltage, etc. I just want to get this carto thing figured out as I've had such an absolute nightmare with clearos in the past...lol. can you link one of the punch tools that doesn't deform the carto?
Punching your own cartos involves a learning curve. More holes and/or larger holes are needed for thcker juices like high percentage VG. i use 95% VG DIY juice.
I recommend the Siam Mods V2 carto punch from Phiniac. This is quite an improvement over the Smok carto punch. The point is sharper and made of a hard steel. The 9 mm bore section is longer than found on the Smok punch. The Siam Mods V2 does not distort the carto tube very much. I know that because I use four medium sized punched holes in Smok XL cartos and I've been using the same set of o-rings in my IBTanked carto tank for a year. You have accurate control of the punched hole size by counting the number of turns you use on the screw. I use 3 & 3/4 turns, for instance.
I recommend the Siam Mods V2 carto punch from Phiniac. This is quite an improvement over the Smok carto punch. The point is sharper and made of a hard steel. The 9 mm bore section is longer than found on the Smok punch. The Siam Mods V2 does not distort the carto tube very much. I know that because I use four medium sized punched holes in Smok XL cartos and I've been using the same set of o-rings in my IBTanked carto tank for a year. You have accurate control of the punched hole size by counting the number of turns you use on the screw. I use 3 & 3/4 turns, for instance.
The Smok XL carto inside this 22 mm XL IBTank has four holes punched with a Siam Mods v2 carto punch. I've been using that punch at least once a week for the past year.
Thanks for the video. Looks like a great tool. Holes are so much larger than the ones that come pre punched, at least on mine. I'm using Deadly Sin from good life as my liquid. Have been "told" it's a 50/50 blend
At four turns from the Siam Mods V2 the actual hole size is about the same as found in some pre-punched cartos. They may look larger because a hand punch will depress the metal area around the hole. The sharp point of the punch breaks through the carto tube at about three full turns and the remaining turn determines how wide the hole will be. More than four full turns could damage carto internals.
I use the Smoktech dct both large and slim, IBTanked, and an AGR tank (don't recommend the AGR). It took me awhile to get it all figured out, and my first carto punch was homemade (hammer and nail). I don't suggest the homemade version, but everyone seems to sell pretty much the same style of carto punch and they work well enough.
I burned my first 2 Smoktech cartos until I opened up the 2 holes just a bit larger. I use 65%VG/35%PG juice. Now all is working great. I also find the Boge cartos have a bit larger holes, so they seem to work OK without punching, but I have not done much testing with the Boge cartos.
My reading tells me that, like everything else in this hobby, everyone is going to be different. It will likely take some trial and error until you find what works for you.
I burned my first 2 Smoktech cartos until I opened up the 2 holes just a bit larger. I use 65%VG/35%PG juice. Now all is working great. I also find the Boge cartos have a bit larger holes, so they seem to work OK without punching, but I have not done much testing with the Boge cartos.
My reading tells me that, like everything else in this hobby, everyone is going to be different. It will likely take some trial and error until you find what works for you.
So on the pre punched those holes are about the same size as a 4 turn with the tool? Was curious about that and whether the existing holes could be made bigger. And oh yeah, I bought a AGR+ thinking how easy it would be filling with the spot on top. Boy I was wrong, that thing is a nightmare. I put in on the back of my shelf. ..lol
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This shot gives a better idea of what holes punched by a Siam Mods V2 look like. This is at 3 & 3/4 turns. You can see the white filler material inside the carto showing through the holes. This time I'm using 19mm XL IBTanked.
If the existing holes on your pre-punched cartos are smaller than the largest holes from the Siam Mods punch you should be able to use the tool to enlarge the holes, no problem. You could also use the tool to add more holes to the pre-punched carto.
The AGR is nearly impossible to fill thru that little hole...nobody has a needle that small. I just unscrew the filler plug and then screw off the entire top...fill...replace the top...then replace the filler plug. You have to remove the filler plug first and put it back last so you don't build up pressure. I'm using mine right now, but I agree that it is way too complicated. (they tried to solve problems that didn't really exist) The Smoktech or IBTanked are much better options IMHO.
Thanks for all the help guys. Yzer.....my IBTanked looks the same as yours, without the punched holes of course. Love their tanks. I really like both those and the Smok tanks. Haven't messed with any other brands of cartos other than the Smoktech so far either. Have had really good luck up until this last one.
I also like to have 2 punches in my cartos. Punching your own is really easy to do. Plus it saves you money on cartos.I love this punch tool V2 Cartomizer Punch - Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks just line it up twist & you're all set.
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