Clone Question

[cignomo33]

I want to just start by saying, I know that might get some people really angry with the whole original vs. clone thing, but I just want to get into rba's and not spend a fortune to see if that is something I would like. So that being said, I was looking to get a clone for a beginner. I made the mistake of getting an AGA-T2. I have read that this might not be the best rba to start with. I was wondering if you guys could point me to a more simple RBA that is user friendly until I really get the hang of building coils and the mesh. Thanks for the help.

 

[Rule62]

IMO, actually, either the AGA-T2 or the RSST would be at the top of the list for first RBAs. Many also start out with the DID clones, which are somewhat smaller. But the set up is about the same.

 

[BuzzKilla]

stick with your AGA.... getting a "better" atty wont make your coiling skills any better....
you already have a descent setup, i don't see how buying something else falls into your wasting money thought.

once you become a pro at making coils, just buy something that looks pretty and meets the criteria of what you want in a rebuildable.
these requirements will become apparent to you, only after you have played around with what you have... then you can judge for yourself, what make a high quality RBA.

BUT, if you want us to tell you what to buy, many will soon chime in with what they think is the best what works for them.
regardless if they know what is best for you.

 

[fed71]

Clone or the original - this is not important. Already have AGA-T2 so you need to learn to use it. The best thing to read the tips in this section and watch the video guide on Youtube.
Look here - http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ystems/391478-coiling-genesis-mini-howto.html
In my opinion it is sufficiently clear for the beginner.

 

[cignomo33]

Thanks for the replies. I have been trying different things with the AGA-T to get the coils to fire uniform and get good tasting vape. The last thing I got for it was a washer to bring the positive post closer to the mesh. I guess I just have to burn through batteries to get better. BTW i have a provari mini. By the time I get somewhat good on my coils the darn thing runs out of batter and I have to switch to another one.

 

[BuzzKilla]

if you need a washer, you have a short... washer is useless once the short is gone....
i have the original AGA-T, and have yet to have a reason to use a washer....
top leg doesn't even glow when the wick is dry

keep watching those videos... keep practising... maybe someone in your area can give you a walk through in person...

(Dont mind the crud build up, havent cleaned that coil in a while)

 

[jasl90]

Funny... Seems like the words "genisis" & "RBA" have become interchangeable... All genesis atomizers are RBAs but not all RBAs are genisis...

The AGA-T is a genisis atomizer and a pretty good one considering the price. If you are looking for something that has a slightly flatter learning curve that will allow you to easily setup and use, you may want to consider one of the many Phoenix clones or one of the iGo's. They have a really simple design and typically use a non-conductive fiber as a wicking material (silica, cotton, hemp and other stuff I'm not thinking of right now...).

There are also Kayfun & Odysseus clones if you prefer a tank setup over dripping.

Any of these options will allow you to get started with RBAs and get a good vape while you work on mastering the genisis style atty.

My 2 cents...

 

[cignomo33]

What? Doesnt even glow? Wow! I cant for the life of me get the top coil to calm down. I am thinking since I focused so hard on the coils that the problem might be that I just cant get the wick to oxidize properly. I use the flame off the stove. I get it read hot and then straight into water (repeated 5 times) I dont know what im doing wrong. I guess its as you guys said. More videos, more reading, more practice. Ignorance was bliss, I am so frustrated with this whole thing, but my OCD wont let me leave it alone. Thanks again for your input.

 

[cignomo33]

Thanks for the clarity. I was meaning to say genesis type. I really dont want to go down that path yet. I really want to be able to make the whole ss mesh work. If I cant get the hang of the ss mesh within the next year lol then I will try one of those. Nothing against them (probably will try them right after I get this to work) but I have the blinders on and just going for the ss.

 

[BuzzKilla]

"oxidizing" the wick is always key...

i mainly use my mechanical, so i prefer the "un-oxidized wick" method. BUT, that will be a long and slow process with E2 errors constantly popping up on the Provari. lol

I personally dont dunk or soak anything....

my method, for regulated mods:

1. Cut mesh to size
2. wash with soapy water
   - get rid of any machining oil
3. torch whole mesh
   - unrolled
4. roll mesh
   - fold trailing edge to prevent unwanted frayed mesh from shorting on coil
   - tight, loose, hollow, solid; the choice is yours.
5. torch again, until a nice even gray color is achieved
6. set in tank
7. wrap coil
   - wrap it tight, but not too tight; touching but not chocking the wick
8. pulse mod at lowest setting untill hot-spots are gone.
   - nudge wick only on the hottest(brightest) spots to remedy short, until glow is even throughout.
9. fill with juice and enjoy

* this is how i do it, if you damage your mod OR yourself, don't blame me.
** this is the internet, take my advice with a grain of salt

 

[cignomo33]

The only problem I have now is to get home from work. I didnt wash with soapy water and i was nudging the dead coils but not the hot one. I was also not pulsing. I watched a video on the zen i think which is on the provari website and I just did what he did. I got a good set up the first time but ever since then I have had one horrible failure after another. Ahhh so much to vape so little to vape in at the moment.

 

[jasl90]

* this is how i do it, if you damage your mod OR yourself, don't blame me.
** this is the internet, take my advice with a grain of salt

But the interwebs told me to do it!!!

 

[BuzzKilla]

its all good, this is just what i found works for me...
i clean the mesh first because i would rather wash off the residue (if there is any) with water, than to breath the fumes of burning it off.

The brightest spot on the coil, usually is the dead giveaway of where the short is.
I find it to be along the edge of the rolled mesh, probably do to the sharp edge and the wire rubbing on it as you wrap.
Sometimes the top coil will be a pain. This might be caused by not being careful when tightening the centre post nut.
Depending on the direction of the coil wrap, when you tighten the nut. The nut will end up pulling the wire really tight on the wick causing unnecessary tension making it really difficult to clear a hot spot.
If the coil is wrapped in the oposite direction, the coil will pull away from the mesh, which can sometimes lead to a burnt/off tasting juice.
Once positive and negative are tightened down, double check that the coil has a consistent tension around the wick.

While other methods will work just fine, i prefer to get the job done fast. So i leave out a few steps that others would take to help prevent, such as the juice torching on bare wick.
Eventually you will have your own tweaks to make it easier for you.

I just prefer to be outside vaping and hanging out on my free time; than huddled in my chair under a bright desk lamp, playing with my coil

 

[VpnDrgn]

I got my AGA-T in yesterday and set up my very first wick and coil ever.

I used 400 SS mesh with ribbon Kanthal. I lightly torched the mesh to clean, and
then lightly torched the wick after rolling to remove any oil or residue that might
come from my fingers.

After wrapping the coil, I lightly pulsed the coils. The videos I had watched said
to keep pulsing until the hole wrap glows, but mine would not glow past the first coil.
Then I started to lightly nudge the coils and the glow started to spread to the whole
wrap. The trick, I think, is to move the coils only a little. If you move the coil up and
down too much, you are just scraping off the oxidization and causing more shorts.
Sometimes, when I nudged a coil, it seemed like it hadn't really moved, but the short
went away.

The vapor was great right from the start, but the flavor is just starting to get better
after about 3 ml's.