Extremely Broke Newbie

[PinkEgoTUser]

Hi Everyone! First I want to thank you for this forum, I'm learning a lot here!!

We're having serious $ issues right now and I just used my last Kanger V2 wick. I've tried just the cotton, but it doesn't last long and then I started watching on YT (visuals help a LOT!) and seems I'm supposed to wrapping a coil around the wick, I believe one vid said Kandal (?) 32g? I was wondering if there was a place to get like, spare parts, instead of outright buying a roll right now. If I don't have my vape through this serious stress I'm going to snap, tinkering relaxes me, lol I can afford a roll or whatever in 2 weeks but until then, any suggestions?

OH also wanted to add that I drilled the air holes in the Kanger, and WOW amazing!!!

You guys rock and I appreciate your patience with me and all my dingbat questions, lol

(PS: I hope this was ok to put here, I was rather confused where it would go!) Crysti

 

[03FXDWG]

The wire is Kanthal and can usually be purchased by the foot. Some hobby stores might carry it.

I haven't built any of my own coils yet but I have pulled the stock silica flavor & coil wicks out & replaced them with cotton on my Kanger coils. It only takes a tiny bit. Be very gentle pulling out the original coil wick and inserting the cotton. The coils are fragile.

Have you tried soaking your coils & performing a dry burn to get the gunk off? You can find youtube videos that show you the process but basically you take the chimney off your coil & remove the flavor wicks--the 2 tiny little strings under the chimney. Then put your coil back inside the ring base & mount on a battery. Turn the battery voltage (if you have a variable model) all the way down then fire the button for 3-5 seconds. Blow off coil, fire again & repeat as necessary. Don't hold the fire button any longer than 5 seconds--3 if you don't have a variable voltage battery. The wick should turn white again and you'll see the coil glow red when all the gunk is finally gone. Give it a good rinse again, put the flavor wicks back on, put the chimney back on and then the little silicone grommet thing (which I usually forget half the time and then wonder why my tanks are leaking--DUH!) and you're ready to use it again, good as new. Eventually the coil wire will break and quit firing. Those coils you should save for your attempts at making your own coils.

I had 2 brand new coils pop out of a box of 5. Into the "someday I will recoil these" pill bottle they went. I have also had a couple coils just snap while dry burning because they've become brittle and a few that will only glow half way or take way too long to glow. All now resting peacefully or in pieces in my special pill bottle. In 8 months, I've only retired 8 coils and I suspect 5 of those were from a pack of duds. I know 2 were. 3 died of old age.

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

I'll give it a whirl, thanks!

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk

 

[MorpheusPA]

Kanthal should be available at hobby stores, yes--it's used to cut styrofoam, among many other things.

It's also going to be really expensive by the foot, but if you need it now, you don't have much choice. A foot should be good for three or four coil rebuilds, though.

Amazon.com: Kanthal A1 Wire 32 Gauge 100 FT (0.25oz) Resistance Resistor AWG A-1: Everything Else

Here's 100 feet of Kanthal A1 32 gauge for $4.99 + $2.49 shipping. I bought this myself and it's perfect--and spotlessly clean on delivery with no oil or other residue (I still dry burned it, though).

 

[element9633]

just throwing this out there, if you buy just a foot or so from a hobby store it will not be enough. well I mean it would, but I wasted so much kanthal learning how to properly wrap a coil, and it takes a good bit of practice to get it down. that said, once you learn how to wrap, you wont forget! my suggestion, locate a local b&m store, buy a foot or 3 from them, and ask if someone there can wrap it for you. just would hate to see you buy the kanthal, attempt to wrap yourself, and be right back where you were

 

[doctadrea]

Kanthal A1 Wire 32 Gauge 0 25oz Resistance Kanthal 32 AWG A 1 Resistor 100ft | eBay

This is what I ordered. It got here in a few days, but I'm in Hawaii so everything goes airmail... ground shipping in the states might take longer.
$4.60 for pretty much a lifetime supply, couple bucks for a bag of cotton balls, and you're set.

 

[Rat2chat2]

I do my own and have all the stuff but as far a cheap and convenient, I got these and have been pleased.

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1411/10007181/1591602

TEMco for the resistance wire has great pricing and I got my silica from Fasttech too. Good luck to you.

 

[oplholik]

Hi Everyone! First I want to thank you for this forum, I'm learning a lot here!!

We're having serious $ issues right now and I just used my last Kanger V2 wick. I've tried just the cotton, but it doesn't last long and then I started watching on YT (visuals help a LOT!) and seems I'm supposed to wrapping a coil around the wick, I believe one vid said Kandal (?) 32g? I was wondering if there was a place to get like, spare parts, instead of outright buying a roll right now. If I don't have my vape through this serious stress I'm going to snap, tinkering relaxes me, lol I can afford a roll or whatever in 2 weeks but until then, any suggestions?

OH also wanted to add that I drilled the air holes in the Kanger, and WOW amazing!!!

You guys rock and I appreciate your patience with me and all my dingbat questions, lol

(PS: I hope this was ok to put here, I was rather confused where it would go!) Crysti

I have some 32g that I won't be using that I can send you. Just pm me your mailing addy, and I'll get it in the mail tomorrow. I'm in Cal. also, so shouldn't take too long to get to you.

 

[NealBJr]

Hi Everyone! First I want to thank you for this forum, I'm learning a lot here!!

We're having serious $ issues right now and I just used my last Kanger V2 wick. I've tried just the cotton, but it doesn't last long and then I started watching on YT (visuals help a LOT!) and seems I'm supposed to wrapping a coil around the wick, I believe one vid said Kandal (?) 32g? I was wondering if there was a place to get like, spare parts, instead of outright buying a roll right now. If I don't have my vape through this serious stress I'm going to snap, tinkering relaxes me, lol I can afford a roll or whatever in 2 weeks but until then, any suggestions?

OH also wanted to add that I drilled the air holes in the Kanger, and WOW amazing!!!

You guys rock and I appreciate your patience with me and all my dingbat questions, lol

(PS: I hope this was ok to put here, I was rather confused where it would go!) Crysti

Amazon or Ebay for your Kanthal is your cheapest. someone posted a good link for 32g kanthal from Amazon. If there's a local vape shop, they'll probably sell it small scale, but at least you can get some right now. Hobby shops if you're really in a pinch, but that would be my last resort.

Cotton for your wicks. Yes, it doesn't have the durability, but can easily cut down on costs of wick The key to using cotton, is 1) never, let it get dry.. not even one hit and 2) run at a higher ohm if you're not sure how fast it's drying. You can tell when cotton is fairly dry, it will start to taste a bit funny.. that's when you need to stop and re-fill/re-wet. for $4 for a bag of organic cotton, that will last you at least several months.

So, for $10, you can buy enough wire and cotton to supply you for half a year or more. That's about as cheap as you can get. When you use your kanger wicks, save the pieces, since rewicking is 100 times cheaper. I used the same CE5's for half a year on the two coils that came with it, you can do the same with your Kanger.

Mount Baker Vapor has very well priced juices. I prefer them myself.

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

Hi, I've done the cotton before but didn't realize I had to put the coil in, but before I closed it all up I just put a few drops on the cotton, let it sit for awhile and it did work for awhile. I then did some more reading and YouTube'ing and watched how to do it so I'm going to try one probably tomorrow. Unfortunately one of my Ego's just died, and my only other one is on it's way out as well So, probably won't be needing one for a bit. I'm going to try though. Trying to sell some stuff on Ebay to get another one... These are pathetic times in our household, it's getting real old. *whines* I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks everyone!

 

[superstardj]

PM me your address I'll cut off 20 ft of Wire and send you some nice organic cotton balls

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

Thank you so much, you all have been awesome here! That will last a lifetime!!

PM me your address I'll cut off 20 ft of Wire and send you some nice organic cotton balls

 

[vjdossey]

I have a few odds n ends that I no longer use that just may help you stretch your supplies. Couple t3s clearos and heads... (the t3s heads work in the protanks too) maybe even a juice or two you could have if interested?! Pm me your address if ya want? We can chat and I can mail later today or early tomorrow

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

Hi everyone First off, thanks for those that have offered to help and send me some wire & cotton and goodies, I'm so grateful!! Thank you!!!

Now, I'm trying to talk Hubby to let me get started on DIY Juices as that will save me some $. I haven't purchased anything in so long but he sees it as "an expensive hobby" lol. I'm down to the dregs on what I have and want to start slowly getting the supplies to DIY. I've been reading up on how to do it for quite some time and think I have a grasp on it now (math is NOT my expertise)... the calculator I've been suggested is awesome and seems foolproof so I want to get the goods to start this, since I think I have the wicking under my belt, or at least 1/2 way under, lol.... I still make mistakes but that is how we learn, right?

Thus far Mt Baker is my fave supplier and have yet to get a bum product from them!! I can get my PG/VG from them for pretty cheap, but the only nic they have is in a pretty large quantity and don't think I can justify that with him right now. If I buy one thing per his paycheck, I think I can do this.... BUT, I am looking for a good reliable place to get a smaller quantity (think Mt Baker is only like 236ml @$29.99). I currently am at 6mg and am wondering how to get the biggest bang for my small budget. Do I order a higher mg so I don't use as much or keep to what I am currently at now? Any suggestions on places to look would be awesome too!! I figure if I do this in drips and drabs, I will finally have all I need to get started!!

Thanks in advance!! Just trying to squeek by on a very strict budget for now and succeed!!

 

[vjdossey]

Try Best Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquid - MyFreedomSmokes.com for diy stuff. They always have sales. Seems like a weekly swap between unflavored and flavored liquids. And I suggest looking into this thread for info/help
DIY E-Liquid

Theres a great diy liquid section for ya here. MBV is great but pricey for diy

 

[vjdossey]

Deals and steal thread is great too
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/pay-forward-pif/418767-deals-steals-134.html

Oh and www.smartvapes.com has protank/evod coils on sale 5pk for $3.99 right now

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

Thank you both Oplholik & VJDossey for coming through!!! You both were awesome and really helped me out, much appreciated Going to hop over to the DIY board now, I finally get to get a few DIY items tonight! It's going to be dribs and drabs, but will get there eventually, I'm literally out of everything, down to the bottom of every bottle, not a drop wasted, lol!!! Again, thank you two for helping. V I already started decorating my Clearo's from you, all sparkly and glittery, when I'm done I'll post pics

 

[strykernippz]

if you still have your protank coil parts, and if someone has sent you any parts (kanthal or cotton), you can easily rebuild your kangers AND if you know how to disassemble your coil and put it together then your fantastic and that part of life can remain fairly inexpensive. the easiest way i know to just about build a fool proof coil is to take your kanthal, if you have a lighter burn it up and down to take the residue off, im sure in your house you have a bic disposable pen, take the inside white part out, youll wrap your kanthal around this to make your coils, take the burned kanthal and roughly about an inch of one end hanging down wrap the kanthal 5 times around the little pen tube and after you count five go around the tube one more time and make sure the remaining wire is atleast an inch also, try to keep the wraps as close to the previous one as possible. if theyre sorta spaced out dont fret you can always squeeze the whole finished coil tight with either your fingers or tweezers, assuming you can hopefully reassemble your coil with the wire, you can leave the pen in the coil for now to help you hold everything in place while you reassemble. once assembled its good to hook it up to your battery and dry burn the coil a few times for 3 to 5 five seconds as previously stated by someone, obviously taking the pen carefully out of your coil first , twisting as you pull helps the pen come out without messing up and separating the wraps too bad if any. dry burning helps remove that kanthal or metal or just weird taste you may have experienced before. after dry burning its time for cotton! if you have cotton balls unroll one and rip off a thinnish piece of cotton and lightly roll it into shop just like you were trying to make a string of playdoh, you want the cotton after rolling to be as thick as the pen tube if not a little wider. twist the end of the cotton kind of tight so theyll slide nicely into the coil youve wrapped, insert the cotton and pull it til the coil is in the middle of your cotton, twisting lightly helps to pull the cotton through if need be. if you did twist the cotton to get it through and its clearly smaller than your coil just untwist or twist it the other way to fluffen it back up, after youve done this just take nail clipper or scissors and clip the cotton to where it just will meet the walls of the coil. and thats pretty much all there is to it! just reassemble fill up your tank and let it sit for a couple of minutes to soak and saturate your coils and your good to vape . Feel free to ask any and all questions, and if it doesnt make sense to you, and my kids allowing, i can assemble one with step by step pictures to help you figure it out. five coils on the pen tube generally always puts your coil at 1.8 to 2.5 ohms which is what the kangers come stock with anyways, atleast in my experience building them(with 32 gauge or 30 gauge kanthal). Good luck and happy vaping!

 

[vjdossey]

So glad to hear you're well!!! I still want to send ya juices!!! I may not be able to do it this week but next week, I will be off with the kids for spring break! I will definetly be able to then! Since you are getting into DIY, you could dilute it since the nicotine strength is much stronger than what you use!!! I would love to see where ya go with the diy stuff-someday I hope to do it too. Anywho-can't wait to see pics of your pretty clearos ttys, V

 

[Aphex_Twin]

take a look at vapingcheap.com since they have a ton of coupon codes for DIY juices as well. I know there's a number that have coupons available. Also there's Bull City Vapor, they just came on and have a really cool sale going on. You can use ECF10% as a code and they also have a ton of flavors to purchase from.