Coil Building Kit for a Newbie

[Cumulo Vapus]

Hey all, I have read up a bit and decided that I want to explore the rta route. I saw some videos online and it looks pretty easy. I really only want to build micro coils ranging from 1.0-2.0 ohm….but 1.5ohm will probably be my default.

Please help me with your suggestions on the following:

1. A good coil winding kit…Ive seen the authentic coil master 2 and about a hundred other confusing variations on FT. Do I really need all those bits? This one costs $25 but given that it is not labelled authentic on FT, can I squeak by with something cheaper?
$30.31 Multifunction Atomizer Tools Kit (23 Pieces) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

2. I will only use Kanthal wire….what gauge do I pick for coils within my preferred parameters above?

3. If Im using a regulated mod, is it a must to test every coil I make on an ohm meter?

4. Im also confused about the various coiling rods these kits come with…1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 al the way up to 4mm. How do I know which one is for my needs? Do these sizes affect the resistance of the finished coil?

Thanks

 

[SupplyDaddy]

You don't need an authentic winding kit. Just find the parts you think you need : Snipers, needle nosed pliers, small flat tip and phillips head screwdriver, winder of your choice, tweezers of your choice, and an ohms reader. You might skip the reader if your device reads, but it's still suggested to have a separate one.
I use metal industrial tweezers and never touch the coils when powered. I use hemostats for pliers and 2 different jigs depending on the wire I use. The pen looking ones do not work for wire smaller than 28ga.

As to your wire, 28 and 30 gauge should do you fine.

 

[Cumulo Vapus]

Bump.

 

[OhTheAgony]

I have since accumulated too much stuff, but when I started I just bought a stepped mandrel on ebay for 4 bucks or so incl shipping, some wire of choice and some cotton.

An ohm meter can be handy even if it's just to have something handy to build on but your mod will do fine as well for checking the resistance.

The size of your coil affects how long a piece of wire you use and with that the resistance it'll have, so yes, it is important.

Just use steam engine to help you determine the inner diameter and number of wraps needed to make a coil of your preferred resistance.

link

 

[Bonskibon]

I'm a new builder myself and recommend getting an ohms reader as well. Had a bad build that I tested on my mod that shorted and sparked so not doing that no more. You can find them cheap on eBay, plus the added feature of a volt reader and space to build on.

 

[Cumulo Vapus]

I will use a Kayfun Lite Plus V2 clone at first. Im confused about these different sized rods…1-4mm….dont know which to use for my needs…is the mm reading of the coiling rods the same as inner diameter of the coil?

I got this from Steam Engine, not sure if I input the right material..there are 3 types of Kanthal wire out there, how do I know which to use:

 

[Lizard King]

1. I will use a Kayfun Lite Plus V2 clone at first. Im confused about these different sized rods…1-4mm….dont know which to use for my needs…is the mm reading of the coiling rods the same as inner diameter of the coil?

There are more than three types of kanthal. I suggest you use Kanthal A1 (round). That's also the most common. The size of the rod will be (almost) identical to the inner diameter of the coil. Very very nearly identical. Try 28 awg kanthal, 3 mm inner diameter. 6/7 wraps. Off the top of my head, think that should come out around 1.5 ohm. But if you use steam engine, and input 3 mm, 28 awg, it'll tell you for sure, though don't forget that things like leg length will also be a factor.

3 mm inner diameter will be fairly easy to wick and a little more robust than a smaller coil. That's a good thing bc believe me, you will need to play about with it a little, which is why a pair of tweezers is extremely handy!

I wouldn't worry too much about an ohm meter for your first few coils if your device has an inbuilt ohm reader but... you'd be better off getting one. You can buy one here in Britain for about £12 so in the US they should be as cheap as chips. Best advice for anyone starting out building coils- get stuck in! It's not as difficult as a lot of people imagine and it's actually quite fun. The more you do, the better they'll be. Practice makes perfect and all that.

Keep us updated and post a pic when you've done that first coil.

 

[Cumulo Vapus]

Hey, thanks Lizard King, just the sort of practical info I needed.

I watched this guy do a coil…it's what made me believe I could do it now…he has a lot of good tricks about this tank and how it behaves.

 

[Lizard King]

No problem. Glad to help. Something very satisfying about building your own.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

To make any coil it is pretty much the same routine. Kanthal A1 is the standard. 28 gauge wire is thinner and maybe flimsier, so in and of itself provides less resistance. It also breaks when squeezed to hard by screws. 26 gauge is thicker and more resistive to the watts going through.

I hope I said that clearly. I use both. Depends on the size of the deck. The inner diameter of the loops (coil) also is a consideration. I try for 3mm, but sometimes I have to go down to 2.5mm if the deck doesn't give enough room.

I would get a roll of both, make coils and take some notes.

 

[Cumulo Vapus]

The sort of deck I would be working with is just the single post type…like Serpent Mini and Kayfun Lite V2 (clone).

When re-wicking, is it necessary to put in a newly rolled microcoil?

I would imagine it is, right? Since a coils sticky with juice would not allow you to pass a fresh cotton wick throughout it smoothly.