coil help

[dooglez]

I coiled my first kayfun last night and I believe I was using 30 or 32 gauge kanthal it was thin and I believe I did 5 or 6 wraps and it came out to be 3.1 ohms its a little bit higher than I wanted i was kinda shooting for between 1.5 - 2.0 but I used it cause it was my first one that actually worked good. it hits like a champ and puts out clouds. but my actual question is wat gauge should I use because I am a beginner at this and how many wraps should I do to get to my 1.5-2.0 ohm? and what size drill bit should I use I will try my best to get it into a micro coil?
thank you for your help in advance

 

[AmandaD]

11 (I *think*) wraps of 30 gauge kanthal on the needle tip of a juice bottle (or an 18 gauge needle) puts me at 1.8 ohms.

 

[Spazmelda]

I can't tell you what you should do, but I'll tell you what I've been doing. I'm also new to RBAs. Using a Kayfun and a Kayfun clone.

I've been wrapping either around a 5/64" drill bit or a screwdriver that has about the diameter. 6 wraps (coils touching) of 30 gauge gives me 1.5-1.6 ohms.

 

[twgbonehead]

Take your ohmmeter, and measure the wire until you get a reading in the range you're aiming for (i.e. put one probe at the end of the wire, and slide the other one along the wire until it reads the resistance you're looking for).

This will show you the length of wire that you need for your coil. (This is a post-to-post length, not just the coil).

Once you know that length, you can use it to wrap the coil; forget about the number of turns, just use that length of wire (of course you will need extra wire to get through the posts....). If the coil winds up being fewer turns than you wanted, use a smaller diameter, etc.

You may want to torch the wire first; otherwise the resistance may increase when you fire the coil. (I recommend torching it anyways, because it makes the wire stiffer and therefore easier to wind). I torch my wire using a lab-bench power-supply though, which you might not have. You can hold it over a gas stove (with a little tension) or use a lighter (if you have 6 hands).

<edit>

On the other hand, if your coil works, why mess with it? Sounds like your first attempt was a success, and if you can do that repeatedly you're golden!
Remember that ohms are just a number. Satisfaction is not!

 

[rob33]

I use a 3/32 drill bit 30ga wire and about 7 wraps. Make sure it's not touching the deck could throw you ohms off and damage the air hole on deck. This seems to wick better for me using cotton, I usually switch wick out between tanks or every other.

 

[dooglez]

is 30g the middle of the road with kanthal not to thin n not thick?

 

[dooglez]

and thank you everybody for getting back to me as fast as you did I really appreciate all the help