*GEM: A new RTA by MarkBugs

[Planethead]

Here is the list of the larger O rings that the Gem uses:
Interior diameter x thickness
-8mm x 1mm Bottm of the deck
-13mm x 1mm Seals de deck
-15mm x 1mm tank
Mark provided the info on the other thread. I ordered a lot of all the O ring sizes from the O-ring store in Idaho and the total came to about $15.00.

I also ordered replacement glass tubes from IBTanked. The size is 20x1.2x25.52 mm. You have to order a minimum of three on the custom cut tubes and they are $7.00 apiece. You can also get colored glass. I got three of them while I was ordering replacement glass for my Erl nanos. Both of my spares from Mark have the same issues others have mentioned, As a matter of fact the tube that I'm using on my Gems have defects on the ends of them but still work fine. I'm just waiting for Mark to start selling the screws and I'm good to go.

I received my replacement tubes from IBtanked yesterday and as usual the quality is spot on and fit like a glove. I went with the non beveled ends and they work fine

 

[raitizz]

@qorax, you could update the first post with this spare glass tank info as Mark doesn't have spares on his site yet.

R

 

[qorax]

...Another question is filling this RTA. I have had flooding and leaking out the air hole and I am sure it is something I am doing wrong in the filling process... In the video by Qorax I believe he indicates to close the air flow, take the top cap off, fill to 90%, (screw top cap back on only half way, this is the part that was not clear to me or maybe I misunderstood), flip tank upside down and open air hole and while upside down fully tighten air hole...

Hi, Congrats on your GEM! This one's really amazing, isn't it?

No, you don't need to thread it in half way and then inverse it. I never have. Besides, if the topcap isn't threaded in completely - the moment you inverse it juice may seep out from the fill ports.

I tighten the topcap fully - then inverse the atty. The only thing to remember is not to delay this threading-in process. Do it as fast as you can. Then open the AFC as you inverse the atty. Keep it like that for a while (4-5 seconds) and you are good to go.

Leaking after filling could also occur due to insufficient wicking material in the coil - as well as at the horiz. channel ends. Remember, you need to (1)avoid free flow of juice into the chamber AND (2)negate unnecessary juice build-up inside the coil when the atty is not in use. This is a fine balance - which you WILL get shortly.

All the best!

Ps.: Btw, since the last 30 odd days I am ONLY using my GEMs and GP Spheroids. Every other atty is collecting dust - and I have 38 of them!

 

[Big Hitter]

I received my Gem yesterday and spent a few hours learning the assembly and building a few different coils. First off, I wanted to thank Qorax for taking the time to provide all the information he has about this RTA and his excellent videos, which helped me get the tank up, and running.
My first coil went perfect 28 gauge 6 wrap 2.4mm coming in around 1 ohm, no shorts no problems. Second Coil 26 gauge 6 wraps 2.4mm built the same way reverse mounting the coil and making sure it was low in the deck. I was confident it was not touching any of the sides or bottom of the deck. The coil fires up fine however once mounted in the deck I get the "Atomizer Low" so something is shorting. I tried raising, lowering many times however no matter what I could not get it to stop shorting. I decided to pull the coil out and build a 2.4 mm 6 wrap 27-gauge coil. Once again, same problem, it fires up fine however, as soon as I mount it in the deck it begins to short. I tried all the same things again raising, lowering, etc. and it keeps shorting. I than remembered someone saying that you might have to really tighten the screws down on the coil with anything lower than 28 gauge. After screwing them down ridiculously tight it is now working with a 27 gauge 2.4mm .7-ohm coil. Tonight I am going to give a 26-gauge coil a shot again now that I realize my problem all along has been how tight you need to tighten the screws.

I have never had to tighten screws down this tight on any RTA and the last thing I want to do is damage or strip them out by doing this. Have others been doing the same thing? I do not see this occurring with 28 gauge however 26-27 it seems as though this might be the case.
Another question is filling this RTA. I have had flooding and leaking out the air hole and I am sure it is something I am doing wrong in the filling process. I have never used a top filling device so this process is a bit new to me. In the video by Qorax I believe he indicates to close the air flow, take the top cap off, fill to 90%, (screw top cap back on only half way, this is the part that was not clear to me or maybe I misunderstood), flip tank upside down and open air hole and while upside down fully tighten air hole.

Last question is it normal that the airflow moves quite easily, there does not seem to be much resistance to it. I doubt this will be a problem however, I could see it moving a bit while in my pocket.

Finally, while I have only vaped on it for a bit the performance of this is amazing. I am simply amazed at its small size, build quality, flavor, and even vapor production. I am quite confident once I learn this tank better it will be my favorite RTA.

One thing you could try is taking the time to flatten the lead ends manually before mounting. Tap them flat with a small tool then the screw heads will sit lower without putting so much torque to the small screws. Just an idea I use 29g myself with no issue.

 

[Dudditz]

Hi, Congrats on your GEM! This one's really amazing, isn't it?

No, you don't need to thread it in half way and then inverse it. I never have. Besides, if the topcap isn't threaded in completely - the moment you inverse it juice may seep out from the fill ports.

I tighten the topcap fully - then inverse the atty. The only thing to remember is not to delay this threading-in process. Do it as fast as you can. Then open the AFC as you inverse the atty. Keep it like that for a while (4-5 seconds) and you are good to go.

Leaking after filling could also occur due to insufficient wicking material in the coil - as well as at the horiz. channel ends. Remember, you need to (1)avoid free flow of juice into the chamber AND (2)negate unnecessary juice build-up inside the coil when the atty is not in use. This is a fine balance - which you WILL get shortly.

All the best!

Ps.: Btw, since the last 30 odd days I am ONLY using my GEMs and GP Spheroids. Every other atty is collecting dust - and I have 38 of them!

It certainly is an amazing atomizer. I am getting some NI200 wire next week and can't wait to give temp control a go on this. I followed you info on filling and it worked great, no flooding or leaking. Thanks

 

[Dudditz]

One thing you could try is taking the time to flatten the lead ends manually before mounting. Tap them flat with a small tool then the screw heads will sit lower without putting so much torque to the small screws. Just an idea I use 29g myself with no issue.

I will give that a go, I have other gauges that are working great however just wanted to try 26 to see how it performs in this RTA.

 

[Dudditz]

Is anyone aware of where I can get some replacement screws? These are the screws that are used to hold the coil in place. I managed to chip up one of these screws. It still works however over time it could get worse and become very difficult to tighten properly.

 

[bpurtell89]

Nice looking tank and I dig that build deck. Just wish it had better air flow and I'd be sold.....

 

[raitizz]

Nice looking tank and I dig that build deck. Just wish it had better air flow and I'd be sold.....

2.5mm allows for a nice restricted lung hit

R

 

[bpurtell89]

2.5mm allows for a nice restricted lung hit

R

Lol true true. I have the zephyrus right now using the RDA deck and I absolutely LOVE the airflow on it

 

[raitizz]

Lol true true. I have the zephyrus right now using the RDA deck and I absolutely LOVE the airflow on it

Haven't tried a Zephyrus, but the GEM on the other hand is a single coil flavour RTA, and the airhole really lets you do some lung hits.

R

 

[bpurtell89]

Haven't tried a Zephyrus, but the GEM on the other hand is a single coil flavour RTA, and the airhole really lets you do some lung hits.

R

For $175 USD I'll pass lol

 

[qorax]

I will give that a go, I have other gauges that are working great however just wanted to try 26 to see how it performs in this RTA.

Compact decked systems are favourable for higher gauge wires. 28AWG and higher. So is the GEM. 26 is plausible ~ but advisable against - b'coz of the reasons you've faced below.

Is anyone aware of where I can get some replacement screws? These are the screws that are used to hold the coil in place. I managed to chip up one of these screws. It still works however over time it could get worse and become very difficult to tighten properly.

Spares kits are likely to be available with MB and their reseller's sites by mid of this month. Nothing nowhere as of now. And folks, I have ordered all your PM requisitions with MB two weeks back ~ I believe it'd be shipped by mid-September too.

 

[qorax]

For $175 USD I'll pass lol

This is the problem with most of us too. There's no comparison between hi-end stuff and China products. I have no issues with folks going one way or the other - but pls don't try and compare them. They are different. For different market segments. Folks in one segment do not usually go for the other. I don't. And thus have no Zephy, Billow, Melo whatever in my collection.

And for the realm of it - anything for under $125 ~ I will pass the Zephy

 

[Dizzo]

watching the classys like a hawk. this is the only rta on my wants list right now.

 

[Yozhik]

I prefer to use my Gem on the SX350J or WAEII, but that didn't stop me from making a custom screen for the DNA200 just in case:

 

[Mada]

I bought this beauty based on Q recommendation, I trust him !
It looks amazing and holds a lot of juice while it is much smaller than my Kayfuns.
But I find it very challenging to wick it !
I checked my glass tank, I think it is not perfect, and this may be causing the wicking issues !!
And my spare glass tank looks even worse....
I think I will order a new glass tank and if didn't do the trick, I will drill the juice holes....
Nothing is perfect in this world !!

 

[qorax]

I bought this beauty based on Q recommendation, I trust him !
It looks amazing and holds a lot of juice while it is much smaller than my Kayfuns.
But I find it very challenging to wick it !
I checked my glass tank, I think it is not perfect, and this may be causing the wicking issues !!
And my spare glass tank looks even worse....
I think I will order a new glass tank and if didn't do the trick, I will drill the juice holes....
Nothing is perfect in this world !!

Hi, did you inform MB about it? If not pls do so - and ask for replacement pyrex tanks. Meanwhile kindly use the SS tank.

 

[raitizz]

As of yesterday the black rubber/plastic thingy of the ACF ring of my GEM is loose. Will have to think of something.

R

 

[Dudditz]

I bought this beauty based on Q recommendation, I trust him !
It looks amazing and holds a lot of juice while it is much smaller than my Kayfuns.
But I find it very challenging to wick it !
I checked my glass tank, I think it is not perfect, and this may be causing the wicking issues !!
And my spare glass tank looks even worse....
I think I will order a new glass tank and if didn't do the trick, I will drill the juice holes....
Nothing is perfect in this world !!

What type of wicking issues are you having?