Greetings, and a request for help with "Real wood e-Pipe"

[Pipe Dreams]

Hello, fellow vapers.

Pardon me for skipping my introduction and getting to my problem right away.

--- Problem ---

Yesterday morning, I was thrilled to receive my e-Pipe (EPIPE-KIT-BLACKSANDAL) from Vapor Kings in the mail.

I followed the instructions and gave it a try. I initially found the "draw" (amount of vapor inhaled while using the product) unimpressive, and tried a variety of techniques while attempting to improve the draw: holding down the button for a second or two before inhaling, beginning to inhale while holding down the button, inhaling with varying degrees of force, and taking "puff"-like inhalation bursts. Although I was able to achieve moderate success, I was still underwhelmed by the low draw. I'd gotten better draws from such e-cigarettes as "Blu" and "Cig2O".

Later in the evening, the liquid I'd put into the e-pipe was nearly exhausted, so I refilled the pipe the same way I'd done earlier in the day. Unfortunately, the draw was even lower -- nearly non-existent -- and I had actual liquid spraying into my mouth, which I had to spit into the sink repeatedly.

I tried again earlier today, but the results were not much different: less liquid-in-the-mouth, but barely any vapor.

Therefore, I'd like to ask if anyone who has experience using this e-Pipe has any suggestions to improve the draw. If its performance can be increased by upgrading the tank & cartomizer, I'd be happy to do just that. Of course, the tank's compatibility with the e-Pipe would be of particular concern.

--- Greetings ---

Now that I got the problem out of the way, I'll tell my tale. It's nothing exciting, but probably serves as an adequate introduction.

I read mainstream news for the purpose of learning which stories and issues are being passed as news. Early last October, while reading the news, I came across an e-cigarette article and noticed that most of the replies to the article were very positive toward e-cigarettes. Knowing that I'd scheduled a mid-October twelve-hour round trip to see a concert with a non-smoking friend, I decided to give e-cigarettes a try.

I started out with "Blu" e-cigs because they are prevalent and accessible in the limited local market. They took some getting used to, and I wound up buying a normal pack of 'analog cigarettes' within my first week -- but that was the last pack I've bought. Since then, I tried the "Cig2O" e-cigs and have been mostly satisfied with them.

Having progressed from cigars to pipe tobacco to normal cigarettes, I was interested in trying out e-pipes; I'd always enjoyed pipe tobacco -- or at least I had enjoyed pipe tobacco until a co-worker had ran over my backpack while my pipe was in it, years ago. I needed a quick "nic-fix" and bought a pack of cigarettes. Cigarettes weren't quite as enjoyable as pipe tobacco, but I quickly began leaning away from tarry pipes which needed frequent cleaning. I'd smoked cigarettes for 13 years before trying e-cigarettes, and am glad to have made the recent change. Glad, except for this recent e-pipe problem.

Anyhow, any feedback about the e-pipe problem is appreciated. Thank you for your help.

 

[retired1]

Have you seen epipemods.com? (Yes, I'm bad. )

What type of atty is on your pipe?

 

[Pipe Dreams]

Hey, that was quick! Hello!

My "vaping lingo" is still in development stages, so I'm not entirely sure how to answer that.

In lieu of a better understanding, I can provide the link --- Wood e-Pipes

...And what's shown there is all that I'm using. Just the bare "vanilla" (so to speak) accessories.

I hope this helps! Thanks again.

(And, no -- I haven't seen the epipemods.com site; I was kind of hoping that I wouldn't need to! You can be 'bad', as long as you intend to be helpful, which I have no reason to doubt. )

 

[retired1]

Hmmm. Looks to be just a regular carto tank. If you take the tank off the pipe, are you able to get a nice draw off it?

 

[Stosh]

Is this the setup you bought? Tulsa Oklahoma Electronic Cigarettes Supplies

If so it appears to be a carto tank, which can be a bit fiddly for a beginner. The kit does say it's a 510 connection so a mini protank2 or a mini vivi-nova tank may work a bit easier for you.

One big difference with the epipe or any e-cig is the draw. You want to push the fire button a second or two before starting, then take a long, slow, gentle draw. Very different from a regular pipe puff, or a burning cig drag, much more gentle and much longer.

 

[macpeace]

were there instructions on priming the carto? For sure you could slap a pro tank or something on it and have an easier experience. If there is a local vape shop near you take it to them and explain your issue. You should be having a better experience. Good luck to you sir

 

[Pipe Dreams]

Hmmm. Looks to be just a regular carto tank. If you take the tank off the pipe, are you able to get a nice draw off it?

I wasn't sure whether "it" referred to the e-pipe base or the carto tank, so -- at the risk of embarrassment, I'll admit to trying both.

The pipe base itself had decent air flow -- just a bit more constrictive than a typical e-cig drag, but decent nonetheless.

I tried inhaling through the carto tank, and... ugh! The air didn't travel through very well; there was a thick bubbly sound and I got more liquid in my mouth.

The problem seems to have been isolated!

Is this the setup you bought? Tulsa Oklahoma Electronic Cigarettes Supplies

If so it appears to be a carto tank, which can be a bit fiddly for a beginner. The kit does say it's a 510 connection so a mini protank2 or a mini vivi-nova tank may work a bit easier for you.

One big difference with the epipe or any e-cig is the draw. You want to push the fire button a second or two before starting, then take a long, slow, gentle draw. Very different from a regular pipe puff, or a burning cig drag, much more gentle and much longer.

Yes, that is the setup. Thank you much for this insight. Although it's been a while, I recall normal pipes having a much easier draw. It seems I'll need to re-program my inhalation techniques, so to speak.

And, "mini protank2 or a mini vivi-nova tank", eh? I feel certain that I'll be checking around for those in the very near future!

The mouthpiece doesn't seem to sit very well on top of the carto tank, either -- so that could be a part of the problem. It's a bit wobbly, and I sealed it off earlier with a rubber band while attempting to get a better draw.

Thanks to the both of you!

 

[Stosh]

Here's a very good blog entry with info on setting up a carto tank properly ....http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/4830-8-cartotank-help-noob.html

 

[Pipe Dreams]

were there instructions on priming the carto? For sure you could slap a pro tank or something on it and have an easier experience. If there is a local vape shop near you take it to them and explain your issue. You should be having a better experience. Good luck to you sir

If priming the carto consists of putting two or three drops on the wick, then yes!

Unfortunately, there aren't any local vape shops. Southeastern Utah, and all. I'll be checking out my options online, and that's where all of the useful feedback here comes into play... including yours! Thanks!

 

[Pipe Dreams]

Here's a very good blog entry with info on setting up a carto tank properly ....http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/4830-8-cartotank-help-noob.html

Thanks again, Stosh!
Lots of information there, especially helpful to have without a local vaping guru to consult.
Your analysis regarding the "510 connection" helps me feel more confident about avoiding potential compatibility issues, so I am quite likely to order those before heading to sleep tonight. I'm already looking forward to their arrival!

Thankfully, my housemate has supplied me with one of his spare eGo-Cs to enjoy while I wait. As a side note, this is the same non-smoker friend who I took on the aforementioned road trip to see the concert (Secret Chiefs 3 & Goblin, in Denver). He was intrigued by my e-cig usage, as he'd smoked clove cigarettes in the past but stopped using them because he disliked the smoke. On his own initiative, he decided to try out e-cigs and wound up getting the eGo-C from Vapor Kings, as well as one of the clove-type liquids.
After first using them, he remarked: "This is one of the best things I've ever bought!"
Apparently, he's had tooth pains for years -- in spite of various dentists trying to intervene and alleviate the pain. The clove oil from the e-cigs instantly caused his tooth pain to subside, and he's been a happy vaper ever since.

As a story which has someone going from 13 years of tobacco addiction to another person finding a perfect cure for their tooth pain, I thought it was amusing and might be useful for other people.

 

[Baditude]

If priming the carto consists of putting two or three drops on the wick, then yes!

Properly priming a carto takes WAY MORE than 2 - 3 drops on the filler material. More like 30 drops. This is the most important step in assembling and filling a cartotank. How well you prime the carto determines how well it will work for the rest of its life in the tank. You likely were trying to vape on a dry cartomizer - no wonder you were not getting vapor initially.

BADITUDE'S CARTOTANK SETUP GUIDE

Personally, I don't count the drops when I fill (prime) a cartomizer. Different droppers make different size drops, which can make the final quantity delivered to be way off from what you hoped for. I determine whether the carto has received enough juice by the filler's appearance. It should look like a slushy drink...glistening with juice but with no pooling. Follow the method I describe above in the link.

The symptoms of getting juice into your mouth is an indication that the carto is flooded. This can be from many reasons. Getting juice into the center air hole when filling the cartomizer. Too hard and short of a draw on the pipe. (Long, slow, gentle draws work best - think sucking on a straw in a thick milkshake. Use your cheek muscles.) Just all the different methods you used trying to get a dry carto to work may have ended up flooding the carot. Also, poor seals in the tank from using a poor quality cartotank.

You may have gotten some bad, off-brand cartomizers. Do they say SMOK on them? I recommend not using dual coil cartomizers, and using 2-hole pre-punched single coil 2.0 ohm from here: Single Coil XL Tank replacement 510 cartomizer for 3.5 and 6ml SmokTank XL, UDCT, Artemas - w/flange and 1, 2 or 3 holes.

I also noticed those blue batteries. Look like generic no-brand-name batteries. Don't use those. Get some AW 18350 IMR batteries.

The Pipe itself looks like a nice mod, but they set you up with some bad batteries, and possibly bad cartomizers and a bad cartotank.

 

[BillyWJ]

Thanks again, Stosh!
Lots of information there, especially helpful to have without a local vaping guru to consult.
Your analysis regarding the "510 connection" helps me feel more confident about avoiding potential compatibility issues, so I am quite likely to order those before heading to sleep tonight. I'm already looking forward to their arrival!

Thankfully, my housemate has supplied me with one of his spare eGo-Cs to enjoy while I wait. As a side note, this is the same non-smoker friend who I took on the aforementioned road trip to see the concert (Secret Chiefs 3 & Goblin, in Denver). He was intrigued by my e-cig usage, as he'd smoked clove cigarettes in the past but stopped using them because he disliked the smoke. On his own initiative, he decided to try out e-cigs and wound up getting the eGo-C from Vapor Kings, as well as one of the clove-type liquids.
After first using them, he remarked: "This is one of the best things I've ever bought!"
Apparently, he's had tooth pains for years -- in spite of various dentists trying to intervene and alleviate the pain. The clove oil from the e-cigs instantly caused his tooth pain to subside, and he's been a happy vaper ever since.

As a story which has someone going from 13 years of tobacco addiction to another person finding a perfect cure for their tooth pain, I thought it was amusing and might be useful for other people.

If it's still gurgling and spitting, you may be able to rescue it - a poorly primed carto will most likely burn eventually. What I do, when I overfill a carto by accident, is two things: remove the drip tip (the part you puff from) from the top of the tank, and with a twisted paper towel or q-tip, soak up the excess liquid in the center of the carto - that's the steel tube in the center of the tank. Then, put the tip back on, and draw on it without firing the button, and that will usually clear out the gurgles.

Look inside the steel tube - there should be polyfil, with a center hole. Is the polyfill completely dry? If it is, follow the instructions from the link above, to prime it. Cartos for me work very, very well, if primed right.

Another things is to slow down replacing what's on it. Everyone has their favorite tanks, you need to take your own journey and decide what's right for YOU. A ProTank is easier to use for some, but need new heads often, or need rebuilding. A carto lasts longer, and produces better flavor and vapor. An iClear may not be the right draw for you, they're a stiffer pull than most. A proTank or iClear may be too wide to make it comfortable to hold, as well. You may decided a clearo tank is better, or an Evod. First thing you should do is learn to use what you have correctly, first, and find out what you need to replace the carto, before you start spending money.

I would also recommend you get yourself a backup or two, like the Egos you're using, until you get your preferences with the pipe worked out.

 

[BillyWJ]

If priming the carto consists of putting two or three drops on the wick, then yes!

Unfortunately, there aren't any local vape shops. Southeastern Utah, and all. I'll be checking out my options online, and that's where all of the useful feedback here comes into play... including yours! Thanks!

There's the problem.

 

[Pipe Dreams]

Properly priming a carto takes WAY MORE than 2 - 3 drops on the filler material. More like 30 drops. This is the most important step in assembling and filling a cartotank.
(etc.)

Wow. These guys (manufacturers) were apparently way off.
I will type out the written instructions here, in verbatim:

1. Pull out the drip tip.
2. Drip one or two liquid into the cartomizer.
3. Pull a part of the cartomizer out of the clear tube, please note: a part of the cartomizer, not the whole part.
4. Drip e liquid along the clear tube, please don't drip too much.
5. Push the cartomizer in the clear tube tightly.
6. Push in the drip tip.
(Illustrations included)

As bad as the grammar was, it seems following the instructions was even worse.

The cartomizer doesn't have "SMOK" written on it; in fact, nothing at all is written. In retrospect, I would assume that no company would want to have their name printed on such a low-quality cartomizer.

You have my deep gratitude for your observations, recommendations, and links. None of it is falling on deaf ears.

 

[Pipe Dreams]

If it's still gurgling and spitting, you may be able to rescue it - a poorly primed carto will most likely burn eventually. What I do, when I overfill a carto by accident, is two things: remove the drip tip (the part you puff from) from the top of the tank, and with a twisted paper towel or q-tip, soak up the excess liquid in the center of the carto - that's the steel tube in the center of the tank. Then, put the tip back on, and draw on it without firing the button, and that will usually clear out the gurgles.

Thank you for your advice, BillyWJ.
While I plan on purchasing some other cartomizers (as recommended by Stosh and Baditude) to accommodate the variety of flavors I've got on hand (and in mouth, at times ), I'll give this a try with my current cartomizer and test the results.

Nice Zappa quote, by the way. Bebop Tango! Roxy and Elsewhere was one of my first Zappa albums.

 

[macpeace]

I haven't used a cartomizer in a long time but most of the ones I used had a small hole, or holes along the side towards the bottom. I would add liquid along the inside until liquid started coming out from the holes on the side. This would be much like baditude said 30 drops or so. It sounds like you put a few drops right in the hole in the center of the carto. Be sure to put the eliquid on the sides. You can even put a nail or something in the hole if you are a spiller over er. That carto needs to be wet before you start drawing from it. Sounds like you got a decent set-up and some bad instructions. Sometimes when people here help they don't look for the simple stuff, because they are so far beyond it. Try taking the carto out of the pipe and running liquid down the insides but not in the hole. Anything that goes directly in the hole is either on your furniture or in your mouth, so avoid that. Once it is saturated try again. I'll bet you will get it going. Good luck man

P.S. Baditudes carto guide is excellent.

 

[Pipe Dreams]

Thanks, macpeace! I was just about to start the re-priming effort.

 

[Pipe Dreams]

Update!

While attempting to re-prime the cartomizer, I noticed I couldn't see any light at all through it.
I stuck a thin piece of wire through the bottom in an attempt to re-open it, and the polyfill popped out of the steel tube. It was burnt, nearly in half. For visuals, consider a cigarette which was burnt at the wrong end. It looked like that, but in the middle instead of either end.

Needless to say, it's time to look for a replacement -- and get the process right when the new ones arrive.

Thanks again for the help, folks. A very helpful and well-spoken community here.

 

[SirSteve]

Now you know what happens when the carto isn't primed correctly, and with the other members help you know how to prevent it. Carto tanks can be very good, but as you found out priming them correctly for the first time is very important.

Welcome to ECF, and may you have better luck with your next carto.