Hammond G Box - A Build Log

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DaveSignal

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I am building a box for someone who has specifically asked for a black 1590G (dual 18650) with black fire switch, white voltmeter, and some slide switches. This is really just a log as the build progresses. Comments are welcome.

UUHeUho.jpg

T7YoGyo.jpg


This barely fits.... but fit it does. Working on a battery sled
 

DaveSignal

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Nice job. I have never seen a voltmeter in that position before I like it.
I have done a couple builds like that before. It requires some careful measurements... especially on a G-box. This voltmeter is bigger than I usually use though, and it really barely fits. Thats why there is heatshrink on the 510 threads... just in case.
 

DaveSignal

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I've managed to get everything wired inside the box. This was truly a pain in the ... and not everything worked correctly the first time I put it together. So I spent a good deal of time messing with switches and testing with my multimeter probes. But I think its ok now. The voltmeter gives readings in both settings (always on, and on while firing). And it fires my RDAs as it should, so the MOSFET is working.
nUbgls3.jpg


I will work on the lid soon so that I can finally finish putting this box together.
 

DaveSignal

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If I can find some liquid tape, I could try that. It works as intended and seems to hit as well as my copper mechs. The voltmeter is about a mm sticking out... I don't know if I can get it any closer without it shorting, though. And one of the slide switches seems kind of finicky. I will look into it later today.
 

DaveSignal

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Hi Dave, may I suggest you coat the exposed wires around the battery sled with liquid electrical tape... my :2c:! Overall though I like the box... nice job!
I put some silicone on them, since I don't have "liquid tape" but I assume that silicone is the same thing. I don't think they were an issue without the silicone, but hopefully this will at least keep everything in place if the mod is dropped. I am not sure that it will survive a drop anyway, though. Its not a mech mod. There are too many soldered connections.

The box seems to be testing OK. Voltage drop seems reasonable and all of the switches are working, so it meets the standard. I think it is ready to ship. Hopefully, the vaper receiving this mod can make some good use of it.

I actually have a whole video of this build, including all the drilling, sanding, filing, soldering, epoxying, etc. I was asked to document the build. I was intending to put something on youtube in fast-motion with a music background, but there are so many parts to it and it requires so much editing... I will probably put it up later in the week, if at all.

Disclaimer: vaping, collecting gear, and building mods + RDAs is a hobby that I enjoy. I really just do this for fun and to try new things. It is not a business. I would be happy to help anyone out with questions about their own mods if I know the answers, but please do not flood my inbox with build requests. There are many great mods from China at great prices (both original and clones).
 

DaveSignal

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Thanks Dave. I will be careful with this box sounds like it wont survive much. That looks awesome man!
It isn't going to fall apart or anything. It will probably survive a drop, but definitely the chance of some wire coming loose is infinitely greater than dropping a metal tube with no wires. I own a ton of mods and have dropped a few before. All I'm saying is that this is about as durable as any other mod with wires and soldered connections.
 

DaveSignal

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Here are a few more pictures showing that it tests OK. Keep in mind that the way my phone camera takes these the voltmeter looks a little bit blurry and slightly blue. In real life, it is crisp and bright white.

Voltmeter switch in position for 'always on':
2QbWHY1.jpg


Voltmeter switch in position for 'on while firing only':
WGleVh6.jpg


On/Off (lock) switch in 'off' position:
dDTsThu.jpg
 
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DaveSignal

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As a final note, this mod sold for $100 shipped, internationally. I think this a great price, even though it is, after all, just another Hammond box mod. Although the parts in a mod like this total maybe $35 to $40, a lot of time and work goes into something like this. And it is a dual 18650 box with MOSFET, a large front-facing voltmeter, fat daddy spring-loaded 510, clicky switch, and external selector switches for voltmeter control and device locking.

It could still be looked at as expensive when compared to many of the Chinese clones and even some of the Chinese authentic mods. I am surprised that China is able to do what they do. They make it hard to compete for any modders trying to make a business of this (I am not, but it is clear to me that keeping price down would be difficult). I guess the main advantage is that the products from China are not unique, they are mass-produced.

If someone is interested in building their own box, he/she should try it. The experience is rewarding. The final product is greater than the sum of its parts.
 
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