Different Cottons for different wicks

[VaporMizer]

Yeah, glad you got it going, Lakewell!

There's probably a way to get those air holes pointed to the outside next time if you plan it out. I have to figure that out every time I change the wick so the long end hangs in the juice pool when I tilt it back and so there's no leaking (which isn't too bad anyway, but still...).

 

[calpis]

Tried out BBB cheese cloth, first ever cotton setup, on my phoenix to see how I'd like it. So far so good. Boiled it and hung dry (probably not long enough). Cut off around 1"x6" section, rolled, then doubled it over and made a 4/3 wrap with 32 kanthal and set it up vertical. It came out to around 1.4-1.5 ohms which seems kinda low for a 4/3 wrap but that's fine and vaping at 3.4v.

So far what I've noticed is that the vapor doesn't get really good until I hear the pop and then it's like a flavor explosion in my mouth. I get like 1-2 pops per pull, it's like pop rocks!

 

[xMackx]

Tried out BBB cheese cloth, first ever cotton setup, on my phoenix to see how I'd like it. So far so good. Boiled it and hung dry (probably not long enough). Cut off around 1"x6" section, rolled, then doubled it over and made a 4/3 wrap with 32 kanthal and set it up vertical. It came out to around 1.4-1.5 ohms which seems kinda low for a 4/3 wrap but that's fine and vaping at 3.4v.

So far what I've noticed is that the vapor doesn't get really good until I hear the pop and then it's like a flavor explosion in my mouth. I get like 1-2 pops per pull, it's like pop rocks!

Most devices wont work under 1.5ohms as it's treated as a short. With ohms that low it should snap crackle and pop as soon as you hit the button. What type of device are you running?

 

[xMackx]

The Importance of Soak Time

When using cotton as a wick one of the most important factors is letting the cotton soak in e-liquid after everything is put together. Without the proper soak time the cotton will burn no matter how wet it looks. This is because the cotton needs to absorb and expand to allow for the proper capillary action that is needed for wicking.

Now with that being said all the different types of cotton absorb and expand at different time rates (some faster others slower).

Cotton Wools (balls, rounds, gauze): These take the least time as a result of being so absorbent and can be used after an hour of soak time.

Woven Cotton (cheese cloth, yarn, twine,): These take the longest as a result of having tightly woven fibers and should soak for at least 3 hours.

Over all, the longer the soak time the better. All types of cotton can take up to 48 hours to fully expand. Even though we can use our devices after a few hours of soak time, it is preferable to let it soak over night.

 

[calpis]

I think I see the errors that I have made. Like my wick might just be too fat and flooding the juice where the coil is at since it takes a good couple seconds to heat up. I'm using this on a ccts at the moment and an ego t2 upgrade mod a few hours ago.



edit: tbh though, I'm still getting plumes of vape.

 

[JD1]

I think I see the errors that I have made. Like my wick might just be too fat and flooding the juice where the coil is at since it takes a good couple seconds to heat up. I'm using this on a ccts at the moment and an ego t2 upgrade mod a few hours ago.... tbh though, I'm still getting plumes of vape.

Hard to say from the picture, but I'm thinking you might be to far away from the air hole. I'd suggest a horizontal coil, with the wick running from one side of one post to the other side of the other post, and about 1/8th of inch above the center hole.

I don't have one, and I'm just going by what I've seen in other threads, but since you said you're getting good vapor, I'm thinking too far from the air hole might be the problem.

 

[calpis]

Here's one from the side:

 

[JD1]

Here's one from the side:.....

From that angle, it looks like it is over the air hole, but is that just the wick? From the tutorials I've seen, I think the coil should be centered about 1/8th in. above and directly over the center hole. There's some good pictures somewhere but I didn't bookmark them.

Here's a pretty good video. Start it at about 6:00 to see him mount the coil. Phoenix Rebuildable Atomizer Mini Review and Rebuild Tutorial - YouTube

 

[calpis]

If I shine a flashlight from the top and look inside the air hole straight on, I see the 2nd coil from the bottom. This might be why the bottom isn't as brown as the top. I have a thinner wick ready and was going to just swap it in but I'm holding off a bit to see how this one holds up for the next couple days.

 

[Lakewell]

Here's my 4th foray into cotton wicks. It's a spin-e coil with cotton on my mini DID. Tried to use SS mesh, but it just kept shorting. I may try wrapping the SS mesh in cotton at the top, but this setup is working nicely. I think I may need to put in another air hole to maximize the vapor, but it still works pretty well with the current setup.

 

[JD1]

Here's my 4th foray into cotton wicks. It's a spin-e coil with cotton on my mini DID. .......]

Wow, that's a great looking coil, Lakewell. I'm glad to see you experimenting with the spin-E setup...it's my favorite set up for dripping.

The only thing I would suggest is standing the coil up straight in order to keep it out toward the air hole. You could probably still do it with that one by straightening the wire at the top and then catching just the tip of in between the screws. With the spin-E you don't have to worry about a long top wire because you'll have cotton against it anyway.

 

[JD1]

If I shine a flashlight from the top and look inside the air hole straight on, I see the 2nd coil from the bottom. This might be why the bottom isn't as brown as the top. I have a thinner wick ready and was going to just swap it in but I'm holding off a bit to see how this one holds up for the next couple days.

I agree, no need to waste a working coil lol.

 

[Lakewell]

Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try that. I also received some 28g Kanthal today so it's time for making some new coils, especially for my mechanical mods.

 

[veganvap]

Are these filters as safe/healthy as it gets? Do I even have to boil them? I use short wicks for bottom coil clearomizers, so I won't have to join parts together for length. The assurance that it's addative-free and not bleached outweighs if something else might wick slightly better. I'm considering hemp and bamboo too though which might be best, but am finalizing my cotton search.

200 Raw Filter Tips Unbleached Chlorine Free 100 Cotton Filter Tips | eBay

 

[JD1]

There was no image, so I couldn't see what they looked like. That seems like a high price, especially if they're small.

I'm using the cotton rounds Mack shows further back in this thread. Once boiled, I'd think they would be safe enough. For what it's worth, Quigsworth1 and a few other posters here claim that the bleached cotton wicks better than unbleached.

 

[veganvap]

hover over this image to zoom. They're just pre compressed filters though.
400 Raw Filters Unrefined Unbleached Cotton for Ryo Cigarette Papers 8mm x 14mm | eBay

I'll rip a piece off and compress/uncompress it to a density that wicks good. Doillar Tree cotton rounds seem safe, but this is a guarantee. I don't have to rely on smelling and feeling it after burning and guessing there's zero addatives without contacting the manufacturer. I also doubt I'll pass Dollar Tree that has cotton rounds. These filters aren't expensive and it's easy to shop online.

I'm settled on these being the best option for cotton unless convinced otherwise. I still gotta conclude on bamboo, hemp, and SS though for my final choice.

I'm using these in bottom coil clearomizers like Kanger Evod untill I get a MOD, so I don't have to join pieces together to make length.

 

[JD1]

........
I'm settled on these being the best option for cotton unless convinced otherwise. I still gotta conclude on bamboo, hemp, and SS though for my final choice.

Ah, looks like cigarette filters. I wonder how evenly they would pull apart to roll into smaller wicks?

BJ43 has been posting about the hemp thread he uses. Here's a link http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...37-vivi-nova-28g-oval-coil-1mm-hemp-wick.html
I'd suggest trying them all because you'll never know what you like best until you try for yourself. For example, I'm at this moment vaping a dud set up with ss with about 2 wraps of cheese cloth on top of it.

 

[veganvap]

I think those filters are great for cotton wicks. Too bad they're not organic so I'll boil them to remove any pesticide. They should pull apart about the same as cotton balls many use.

I read people are using all types of shady cotton/bamboo yarns and stuff without emailing manufactures about addatives. Boiled or not. I think they assume that out of the obviously dyed choices that 'natural' means it has zero addatives. A good way to find out might be a trick question email to the manufacturer as if hoping it has addatives so that they're less likely to lie or assume it doesn't to not lose a sale.


I'm set on SS mesh for now but might add some cotton/hemp/bamboo/maybe silica since some swear it might be the safest because it's the only approved material besides maybe SS.

 

[xMackx]

Silica is safe to us humans in every way unless you inhale it, which ironically might be what we're doing. Another 50 years of research will be needed to find out any long term effects really. Cotton is the flavor for me though anyways.

 

[veganvap]

what do you think about the filters I linked? Are there any safer alternatives besides emailing manufactureres hoping that they tell the truth or even know the composition of their product?