Fast Tech Caravela mod clones(first post :D)

[themelody]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about the Caravela clones that fasttech sells. Like im wondering where/who they get them from, and if the material is of good quality or not? I saw on a different post that you guys were talking about clones, and noticed that a guy actually said he got a Caravela clone from the company that fasttech gets their caravela clones from. I believe his name was "Bad Ninja", i was going to just private message him but seeing as im a new member.
But... if anyone can help me i'd really appreciate it. My friend got it for me a little bit ago and i didn't realize it was made in china and out of brass.. which i haven't heard the best things of. I'm pretty much looking to know what company actually makes fasttech Caravela clones, and if they use quality material or if i should be worried about what could be in the brass.

Thank you to anyone that can give me the information i am looking for

Themelody

 

[State O' Flux]

Welcome to ECF themelody...

FT carries Cara' forgeries from a number of makers and/or distributors. Who actually 'makes' some of them (or is just an intermediary distributor) might be a bit of a mystery. In other words, what Bad Ninja has, may not be the same brand/materials/quality as the one you have.

The better quality forgeries, typically denoted by (all things being equal) the higher price point and degree of positive reviews, are likely made by EhPro, Infinite or Hcigar... three of the most popular makers.

Why are you concerned with brass? Lead poisoning via skin contact... or other reason?

 

[themelody]

Yeah, the mod i have has chromed brass parts but the chrome is starting to rub off a bit. I'm a little concerned that i might get lead on my skin and get it other places like the food i eat or whatever. I know its a bit of a silly concern just considering(from what I've read) brass these days have a very small amount of lead in them to begin with and its not even at the surface which it'd need to be heated to above normal vaping temps to make it leak out to the surface for it to even be a real problem. even then I'd have to be sticking the brass parts in my mouth to really get in my system to have it be a real big problem, which would be ridiculous.lol You think i might want to atleast clean it? I read that soaking it in 2 parts white vinegar 1 part hydrogen peroxide.

What do you think though? Am i being silly with this? I've considered getting a lead test kit and testing it but I've only just started thinking about this yesterday and wanted to do some research on the product before i just jumped the gun on the test kit.

Honestly all my information has pretty much come from other forums(like on the FastTech forums) so if anything I've said is wrong, please correct me. Like if you think im just being stupid please say so.lol

TheMelody

ps. I checked and i don't think you're behind me. lol

 

[State O' Flux]

You think i might want to atleast clean it? I read that soaking it in 2 parts white vinegar 1 part hydrogen peroxide.

What do you think though? Am i being silly with this? I've considered getting a lead test kit and testing it but I've only just started thinking about this yesterday and wanted to do some research on the product before i just jumped the gun on the test kit.

Honestly all my information has pretty much come from other forums(like on the FastTech forums) so if anything I've said is wrong, please correct me. Like if you think im just being stupid please say so.lol

TheMelody

Run with scissors... don't run with scissors. I believe in the freedom of the individual to do what they think is right for them... as long as you don't hurt those around you. What others think of your choices is irrelevant.

 

[themelody]

That got a little deep... and less helpful... not to be rude. Thanks for your input but i was looking for factual(questioning if you're as pragmatic as i am, your profile saying you're "factual") answers about lead being used in brass and the process on cleaning brass like if its a temporary fix or not. You're answer sounds like a "find the answers within yourself" kind of deal and that is not where the answer is in this situation... If i was looking to answer my own questions i wouldn't have come to this site for other peoples input and knowledge. Now if my only question was "do i want to use this product" then something like what you said would be acceptation, but frankly what you said isn't even relevant.

Once again, thanks for your input but I'm going to assume you don't know. So if someone does know, my previous unanswered questions are still up for being answered.

TheMelody

 

[tj99959]

The problem is that the company that made brass 'velas last week for FT might not be the same company is making them this week. So none of us can answer your question of who made the one you have.

BTW, there is a brass 'vela in my hand while I type this ........ just didn't get it from FT. So I know that it was made by HCigar.

 

[SteamWhistle]

I'm not sure I see a major issue here. I've got a Hcigar caravela in stainless with the bottom in brass. Either way it takes a decent amount of lead to make a person sick.

 

[themelody]

Okay... So if i want to know the brand i should buy from the brands website? How do you even buy from Hcigar? I went to their website and there isn't a simple "buy now" button, do i really have to fill out that form?

Well how is your caravela? Have you had it tested for lead or anything? I'm assuming that the majority of the clones that are made over there will be using the same grade material.

Yeah, The one i have is stainless steel and the top and bottom piece are both chromed brass. Yeah, i would assume the amount that is used in brass today is not enough to make someone sick, but over a period of time with a small amount of lead will it eventually have the same affect? I'm not sure... i wish i knew these things.. lol

Also does anyone know if the cleaning process where you mix 2parts white vinegar and 1part hydrogen peroxide is a complete fix, or temporary? I'm asking these question because besides this one concern i have about it i REALLY like this mod, in the past week it has done me well and if i don't have to buy a new one and can just clean it once(or maybe monthly or something) and have that concern go away then I'd like to be able to do that.

Thanks for both you input
TheMelody

 

[SteamWhistle]

I've dealt with all 3 caravela clones and the Hcigar one is the best IMO.
Now as far as lead goes. When I was a kid I use to race go karts and sprint cars. These have to be within a certain weight restriction and we used LARGE lead weights to achieve this. I handled these weights as a child without a single thought and without washing my hands and never gotten sick.

 

[themelody]

Okay, well i guess your story makes me feel a little better.lol

Do you know if there are only three companies making caravela clones? I imagine there's probably small factories making somewhere too? I personally have only heard of the three making the clones though.

 

[tp4tissue]

Okay, well i guess your story makes me feel a little better.lol

Do you know if there are only three companies making caravela clones? I imagine there's probably small factories making somewhere too? I personally have only heard of the three making the clones though.

There used to be an insane amount of lead EVERYWHERE as the result of it being an additive in Gasoline.. and most people were fine..


It is HIGHLY UNLIKELY that the exposure from holding these few pipes will have any effect on your health..

if you're worried.. look for aluminum..

but again.. totally unnecessary...

 

[DLScott]

Okay... So if i want to know the brand i should buy from the brands website? How do you even buy from Hcigar? I went to their website and there isn't a simple "buy now" button, do i really have to fill out that form?

Well how is your caravela? Have you had it tested for lead or anything? I'm assuming that the majority of the clones that are made over there will be using the same grade material.

Yeah, The one i have is stainless steel and the top and bottom piece are both chromed brass. Yeah, i would assume the amount that is used in brass today is not enough to make someone sick, but over a period of time with a small amount of lead will it eventually have the same affect? I'm not sure... i wish i knew these things.. lol

Also does anyone know if the cleaning process where you mix 2parts white vinegar and 1part hydrogen peroxide is a complete fix, or temporary? I'm asking these question because besides this one concern i have about it i REALLY like this mod, in the past week it has done me well and if i don't have to buy a new one and can just clean it once(or maybe monthly or something) and have that concern go away then I'd like to be able to do that.

Thanks for both you input
TheMelody

H Cigar is a manufacturer located in China. I'm not entirely sure you can just buy a single piece from them...maybe? There are a bunch of stores that carry them. I bought a Nemesis Clone (H Cigar) from epandatech.com and it's been awesome. I noticed they have a bunch of other models (Caravela included) on their site. Try to use EPT10P2014 for a promo code if you decide to buy, it was 10% off when I purchased a couple weeks ago, hope it's still valid.