With the introduction of the new SmokTech ARO heads, this little mod just became a lot easier to build. And the heads can be replaced with out any modification to the head! Plug and play. The ARO heads can be rebuilt just like the Kanger heads, but because the rim is smaller than the Kanger heads, it fits without needing to grind down the rim so it can pass thru the tank opening.
Also the ARO heads fit perfectly fine in the atty mods I originally make with the Kangers. I'm also quite impressed with the coil build in the ARO. I wouldn't touch the Kangers without re-building it first, but I'm using two of the ARO's with the stock coil and wick. No dry hits, leaks, and flavor good.
I have been unable to source any SS 510 adapters. I had tried several different 510 adapters (which is used to make the base) but all that I had tried were just a little too thick in diameter and had to have the chrome plating ground off in order to fit. Good news is Discount Vapors 510 adapters are of the correct diameter and work beautifully for this purpose.
The end result is a bottom coil atty for use in the Billet Box, that is easier to make, and heads that can be replaced OR rebuilt depending on preference. Takes a bit of time to make, but once done, the body should last for years.
Parts list.
510 adapter:
510 to 510
ARO heads:
Smoktech ARO/Tumbler Coil head replacement - 3.0ohm - 5 pack
And you'll need a SmokTech DCT carto to dissect.
Only tools I used was a hand drill, disc grinder, round file, flat file, pliers, and some 600 sandpaper. A drill press, and bench grinder would be easier, but are not necessary. Oh, and a micro torch.
The first thing to do is to pull the connection end out of the dual coil carto. Grip the carto flange with a pair of pliers, and wiggle the pressed in 510 connection out of the tube. While this can also be done with the carto screwed into a substantial mod such as a Provari, you have to pull pretty hard to get this end out, so don't blame BSD if you strip out your mod threads...use pliers first.
Used carto with the connection removed from the tube:
Removing the connection guts leaves the little press in part that is used to hold the cup stem.
Next put a little e-juice for lubricant in the same end of the carto tube the connection came out of. Place the carto in your drill, and chuck gently. Using a flat file, spin the carto and grind off the flange until it looks like below. I would have preferred to use a non-flanged carto for this step, but all the ones I have are Boges, and they will not pull out. Perhaps a non flanged Smok carto will?
Dual coil carto with the flange ground off. The connection is ready to be removed from the carto tube now by screwing into a mod and wiggle and pull. Easier this time with the juice lube job.
Before and after pic of the press in connector with the head stem ready to be attached. AFTER pulling the 510 connection out of the carto tube, grind down the 510 threads to just below the little air holes insuring it's nice and flat. The inside hole will need to be enlarged a tad with a round file such that the stem slides in snugly.
Here's the connector and stem filled with lead free solder paste ready to be soldered. The solder will not be in direct contact with juice, but do use the right solder. Clean the flux residue off before installing into the carto tube. Should have shiny metal, and no "solder smell" when clean.
Home Depot or Lowes...can't recall.
Next, cut and grind down the tube insuring the cut/ground off end is square. Cut length is 25mm. DO CHECK that the overall length from positive pin to tube end is 40mm when assembled before making the final cut adjustment.
Here it is all ready to go in the tank. Note I leave the silicone head gasket in place. Tried without it thinking it wasn't needed, but even though it looked leak proof into the tube, I was getting some juice up in the tube. So use it.
Insert atty into the tank from the top, align, fill and enjoy. Use a long filler type drip tip and push out the tank top to bottom to remove.