Going to the hardware store: Need a list.

[jordypants]

Hey all,

I'm running to the Mega Epic Super Hardware Store after work. I'm looking to stock up on supplies for building various mods, rebuildable atomizers, tanks, and more. I need a good general list of must-have things to look for plus I have a couple of questions on specifics (I have tools, so no worries on that, unless it's a specialty tool that any self-respecting man normally wouldn't just have laying around).

So, what do you keep around for modding/experimenting?

P.S. I know I'll need some stainless steel mesh for wrapping the coils around and some sort of wicking material. What, specifically, do you guys pick up for this? I read that some variety of braided rope is usable as wick material. Can anyone elaborate?


Thanks in advance!

 

[TomCatt]

The SS mesh isn't something that I think you can pick up at a hardware store. It's 400 mesh and must be stainless steel and is used instead of the normal silica/fiberglass wicking. For the 'normal' wick material, look for high temperature silica rope or gasket. Do NOT use 'candle wick' for PVs, this is usually made from cotton.

 

[TomCatt]

Things you can pick up at a hardware store:

boxes for box mods,
epoxy (I like plumber's epoxy putty)
finishing washers (make nice drip cups)
copper (or other material) tubing for tube mods AND end caps
polycarbonate tubing (maybe) and grommets for making tanks - plenty of how-tos around for getting dimensions

possibly some momentary switches; but more likely to find them at Radio Shack or other electronics stores.

There's a few ideas
HTH

 

[iamtopher34]

Most of the stuff for making attys comes from .com not home depot maybe just go spend a few hours walking around and grab what u think will work for you? I do that sometimes and end up with alot of ....e i dont need tho lol

 

[jordypants]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Really appreciate it. I've got most of the speciality parts on hand, i.e. nichrome and kanthal, etc. I was more curious about sizes of screws for posts, polycarbonate tube sizes, o-ring sizes, one-off quirky stuff that works well...etc etc. Thanks for all of the info!

 

[jordypants]

At the hardware store. What rope can I use? Synthetic, nylon, or something else?

 

[asdaq]

The SS mesh isn't something that I think you can pick up at a hardware store. It's 400 mesh and must be stainless steel and is used instead of the normal silica/fiberglass wicking. For the 'normal' wick material, look for high temperature silica rope or gasket. Do NOT use 'candle wick' for PVs, this is usually made from cotton.

 

[Para]

This is the only epoxy I'll use....VERY strong...never had it fail; not once. It dries clear and gives a real clean look.

Drop by the drawers that hold nylon nuts and washers as well as SS.....nice items that are easily modded for small parts. If you don't have one, get a 3" spirit level so your atomizer connectors are perfectly straight and level. A tile cutter/burr for your Dremel is great for making quick work of modding plastic boxes.

.....more when I think of it

 

[jordypants]

Thanks, Para.

 

[iamtopher34]

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/buildi...et-kit-for-wood-and-pellet-stoves-197339.html

this is the only thing i found while there for wick screws and such find the smallest u can. sewing needles work well to hook coils

 

[jordypants]

Very cool. Lowe's didn't seem to have anything like that or I just didn't see it. I'll have to try the Home Depot across town tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Mylt1]

dont forget a soldering iron and i would use lead free solder since you will be in contact with the connections. i have a butane soldering iron for doing work outside(i am a amateur radio op) but a good, high wattage corded iron is a good thing to have if you dont want to deal with filling butane.

 

[Mylt1]

OH, you will want to run by radio shack for your resistors and things like that. you will need a list of what you need before you go. most people that work at RS are only there to sell cell phones and know very little if anything about the actual electrical items they sell. find a good RS that has a LOT of the tool box style components bins. the more the better and the larger selection of parts you can get locally.

 

[Scottinboca]

Para, your giving away all your secrets!

This is the only epoxy I'll use....VERY strong...never had it fail; not once. It dries clear and gives a real clean look.

Drop by the drawers that hold nylon nuts and washers as well as SS.....nice items that are easily modded for small parts. If you don't have one, get a 3" spirit level so your atomizer connectors are perfectly straight and level. A tile cutter/burr for your Dremel is great for making quick work of modding plastic boxes.

.....more when I think of it

 

[jordypants]

I need everyone to fork up their secrets.

 

[Mylt1]

to save your fingers while soldering pick up one of the "helping hands" stations. it has alligator clips on arms to hold what you're soldering and also has a magnifying glass to help you see what you're doing.

 

[asdaq]

What sort of mod are you looking to build? Home Depot has some things, but Ace Hardware ought to get a plug too. Odd specialty items, like K&S Engineering tubes and rods, M1.6 & M2 nuts and bolts (threaded rod sadly no) and 3/4" hose caps come to mind. Home Depot is more geared to stuff for "home" projects.

And grab yourself a set of diamond needle files.

 

[iamtopher34]

Diamond files are a must i got a small set at hf for a few bucks and use the crap out of them
and shrink tube from hf
helping hands from hf
crappy dremel bits from hf

http://www.harborfreight.com/ky.html

 

[jordypants]

Things I have so far:

Files
Helping hands
solder, paste, etc
heat shrink,
5v regulators
Wire

Basically, I have all the tools and various notions. What would really help are diameter sizes for tubes, where to find acrylic tubes, where to find wicking materials (this is a big one that I'm still struggling to find locally), where to find mesh, o-ring sizes for mouthpieces, o-ring sizes for various pre-made mods, o-ring sizes for aforementioned tubes, et cetera et cetera. Anything that may be applicable to building tube mods, various attys, DIY genesis-style tanks, and so on and so on. Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[Mylt1]

for tube size, take the battery you plan on using with you. that way you know you have a good fit. then match up end caps to that size tube. springs and such can be had from radio shack i believe. if all else fails you can buy the cheap aa battery holders and rob the springs off them or even a couple of the cheap flashlights from the dollar store.