Coils wrapping and annealing

[Alien Traveler]

I am going to try coil rebuilding and I have a question about annealing.

From YouTube videos I have seen people using blow torch, cigarette lighter on nothing at all. I have seen annealing done before, after and before and after coil was wrapped.

So, my question: blow torch, lighter or nothing? Before, after or never? (I would prefer “never” if feasible, I like to keep things simple).

 

[GMayberry]

What I always do is build it and before wicking I dry burn it until it glows red, tighten it up, and repeat a few times. I used a torch at first, but this just makes things easier to hold for those last minute adjustments on the coil itself.

 

[3mg Meniere]

I use a cig lighter before. Less complicated, too springy otherwise.

 

[Sthur]

The initial torching of the wire gets rid of the springyness of the wire before you wrap a coil. I then wrap my coil and take the coil off and pinch while torching to hold its shape better. Then insert the bit and insert into the coil or rda. Lastly heat coil with device and and check for even glow.

It seems to go quicker and works better with torching after each step.

 

[jaxgator]

Never here. I wrap my coils tight, mount them, dry burn and pinch with needle nose pliers. Never had any issues. I mostly use 28g kanthal but have heard it helps to anneal the wire if it is a thinner gauge, say 30-32, to keep the springiness to a minimum..

 

[malcaris]

I torch my wire with a butane cigarette torch lighter, build the coil, mount the coil then dry burn the coil for a second to tighten it up. I used a regular lighter for a while, it just takes longer.

 

[Lurch]

I use a butane torch that my wife uses to make jewelry. Torch costs about $25 at Lowes. I heat my 32 ga before wrapping to take out some of the spring, then heat and tighten it up before installing into the base.

Update, just checked they went up to $30 at Lowes....
Shop BernzOmatic Butane Micro Torch Handheld Torch Head at Lowes.com

 

[Miata GT]

When i started I was using 32gauge wire and used a lighter before wrapping. Now I use 30gauge and larger and don't bother.

 

[HKholic]

What I always do is build it and before wicking I dry burn it until it glows red, tighten it up, and repeat a few times. I used a torch at first, but this just makes things easier to hold for those last minute adjustments on the coil itself.

+1 ^ this is for me as well. Coil usually needs some tweeking once mounted to get the position/height right. I'll give one last pinch before the wick goes in/on. (28ga)

 

[Weizenheimer]

I run a lighter over mine quickly then wrap mount fire pinch

 

[rc3po]

I am going to try coil rebuilding and I have a question about annealing.

From YouTube videos I have seen people using blow torch, cigarette lighter on nothing at all. I have seen annealing done before, after and before and after coil was wrapped.

So, my question: blow torch, lighter or nothing? Before, after or never? (I would prefer “never” if feasible, I like to keep things simple).

I use a small torch and torch my wire before I wrap my coil because sometimes you can get impurities or weak spots in the wire. I want to find them before I roll a coil and fill my tank with juice. Then I torch them and squeeze them so the coil is tight and glows from the inside to the outside of the coil. I haven't had any problems with Kanthal, but it's better to check the wire straight away and not waste time & juice.

 

[imsoenthused]

I wrap then torch, mostly just to compress the coils perfectly. I find trying to compress them on the mod to be more difficult than just doing it before hand with the butane torch.

 

[serenity21899]

I use my mod to heat the coil to compress it a bit with tweezers.

 

[PONKAW]

Like others have said... It reduces the tension when you wrap coil and then helps to hold its shape when wrapped.
I use this from lowes ...a little cheap feeling but reliable and easy to fill...it uses what looks like a "cricket" lighter for the fuel tank.
Shop Gardner Bender Pocket Butane Torch with Butane Refill; 1/Clam at Lowes.com

 

[Alien Traveler]

Great forum! Thanks for replies! Especially I like method of annealing with dry burn, and I will try it. Looks like I do not need a torch and a canister of butane (I hate to keep butane in my house). And I am sure other people will choose advices according to their own preferences.

 

[oplholik]

I don't torch anymore. I buy annealed(soft) wire from here, wrap my coil, then put it on my mod and heat it up and squeeze the coils to tighten them up.

Resistance Wire

 

[jiminsandiego]

I hold a 6" length of wire between two tweezer and hold it over my gas stove flame while gently pulling straight. I also have two holes drilled in the side of my workbench 3" apart. I anchor the wire with a toothpick and put the drill bit in the other one. Works great for me.
Jim

 

[Hightower]

I use a cig lighter before. Less complicated, too springy otherwise.

+1

Exactly the same here. Take less than 30 seconds with a lighter and that takes the springy out of the wire making it much easier to get consistent coils.

 

[MattOKeefe]

It really depends on what gage you're using, what size coil your building, nano, super nano, macro, and it can also depend on if you are twisting your kanthal.

It will be different all the time.

 

[Flavored]

Get one of these and put the torch/lighter away:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/clearomizers/510520-coils-made-easy.html