Help me build without "building".

[RCP1991]

Hey Guys,

When I first got into the hobby I swore off the idea of building as it seemed time consuming and very intricate. I simply don't have the energy to learn all the important ins and outs of building. However, after vaping for awhile, I recently came across a bunch of sites that sell prebuilt coils -- and I'm thinking I probably have the mental capability to screw them into place, cut the excess leads, and stuff some cotton. It seems doing so would be both cheaper and make my vape more customizable so I'm into that. That said, I need some help getting started.

I currently own a couple Smok Big Baby Beast tanks which came with the rta extension tube and build deck so I'm thinking that might be a good starting point unless you would suggest something else. With that in mind, I am looking to find a stainless steel coil(s) that will fit well on the deck and hopefully give me a pleasant vape. I usually prefer something in the 420*-450* range with low-moderate wattage (30-75 watts). I'm not really a cloud chaser but I do prefer a lot of vapor and would probably choose vapor over flavor but prefer something more in the middle. I'd also like to try to at least keep juice conservation in mind, obviously a sub ohm build is going to drink up my eliquid but I'd prefer not to go with some kind of mega coil 0.00001 ohm build that will gobble up liters of juice. I'm used to using stock premade coils so I don't need to go overboard.

Finally, what tools do I really need? I see there are some kits but those seem to have items used to make coils which I have no intention of doing. It seems like I'll need some of those ceramic tweezers and some kind of device to cut the leads? Anything else? If you suggest I get one of the ohm readers (which seems like a safe idea), does anyone know of a ohm reader that can be recharged rather than running on 18650's -- or perhaps one that runs on 26650s. I do not own any 18650 mods or any external battery chargers and would like to keep cost at a minimum.

Links are always appreciated. Thanks everyone!!

 

[Eskie]

A couple of things. First, what mod, or type of mod are you using for the tank now? Second, have you ever used temp control before? Third, what coils are you currently using with the BBB, and how do you like their performance?

 

[RCP1991]

I'm using a Hohm Slice mod and running the BBB in Kanthal Temp control -- though there is obviously some disputing how well Kanthal TC works. I've found the 0.6 ohm BBB coils work best with the Kanthal TC mode as the mod seems to have difficulty maintaining consistency with the lower ohm coils (this is not the case if using SS coils). I run it at 420*, 50 watts, and have the FSK Curve set around 70%. I find this vape most closely resembles the temperature I get from my Innokin TC100 using an ISub tank with the SS316 0.5 ohm coils at 450*. I will say that I prefer the BBB because it offers better vapor production but I would ideally prefer coils that could hit a bit harder. The BBB and HS only tops out around 40 watts (even with the wattage set for 50) and it craps out into the low 20's pretty quick -- this gives me a decent but slightly airy/wispy vape and requires a longer draw than I would prefer. I would like to find some coils that hit at 50ish watts for a bit longer without heating up so quickly so I could take shorter draws and get thicker vaper.

 

[Eskie]

You sound like you're in good shape. My recommendation for building that RBA would be some SS coils. If you want something fancy like Claptons, Advanced Vape Supply is great for quality 316L coils either prewrapped (and you can specify things like core gauge and number of wraps) or even spools of prewrapped Clapton/fused Clapton.

My one suggestion is watch some YT videos on wicking that RBA. If it's not wicked properly you can get leak issues. And an RBA, any RBA, is generally tougher to build on than a dedicated RTA. Not to say you can't, but it might take a litle practice to get down.

 

[RCP1991]

You sound like you're in good shape. My recommendation for building that RBA would be some SS coils. If you want something fancy like Claptons, Advanced Vape Supply is great for quality 316L coils either prewrapped (and you can specify things like core gauge and number of wraps) or even spools of prewrapped Clapton/fused Clapton.

My one suggestion is watch some YT videos on wicking that RBA. If it's not wicked properly you can get leak issues. And an RBA, any RBA, is generally tougher to build on than a dedicated RTA. Not to say you can't, but it might take a litle practice to get down.

Out of curiosity, what would you say is the easiest dedicated RTA to build on. I don't mind picking one up if it will work better.

 

[Tony80]

I'm like you, I don't care to wrap wire, but want the ability to tweak ohms, and cheaper alternative to buying pre-built coils.

Larger deck = easier to build...so something 25mm diameter vs 22mm. (I'm building on a TFv8, it's not too bad to work with).

For tools, I would get tweezers, scissors (any kind) and some good jewelry flush cut wire cutters. A precision screwdriver set (like this) is helpful but not needed. Micro Wotofo ohm reader is internal battery, and fairly inexpensive...I need to get one, I've just been testing on a mod with short detection.

 

[Eskie]

As Tony pointed out, larger deck is easier to work on, and with the right RTA, is generally easier to wick than an RBA.

 

[Carl2]

I have the Smok G-Priv, it came with the Big Baby Beast tank and I bought another BBB tank because it came with the RBA. There is a set of Clapton coils that come with it and they are .40 ohms total res. I have 2 spools of Clapton wire. I find the wire and coils hard to buy, info such as the resistance and size of the coils is missing.
Anyways the RBA and coils are working fine, good flavor and vapor.

 

[Eskie]

If you have them wicked and vaping well, you're all set.

 

[RCP1991]

Thanks guys, I emailed Advanced Vape and they were very responsive and helped me to order some coils that should work within my preferred range and are SS so I can run TC. I figure I will give the build a go on my BBB tanks, and if I like it, maybe I'll go out and get something like the Kylin from Vandy Vape or a TFV12 with the RBA deck. It does seem much cheaper than replacing these damn BBB coils, although I have found you can reuse them if you carefully soak them in water and let the cotton dry. Again, I appreciate all the assistance.