Help Me Pick!

[JMarca]

So I've done some minor re-building of some Vivi Novas I got when I started vaping... it was ok, but I see you guys play with much, much nicer toys these days! My experience is limited, but so far I'm comfortable working with 32g wire and some local 50% cotton / 50% hemp natural yarn as a wick. That stuff in my opinion seems to taste a heck of alot better than silica, and no dry throat!

So onto my question what rebuildable tank or atty would you say I should move onto next? My only no-no here is I can't spent 100+ dollars on a tank, my wife would divorce me and run me over with a car I haven't finished paying off yet. Any suggestions here would be greatly appreciated! = )

- Thanks!

 

[cricque]

If you are looking for something with SS mesh, you might want to consider an AGA-T2 or T+ the one with the pyrex tank. This won't set you back alot, and seems to be quite popular. Think those are in the price range of around 30-40$ ? Don't really know the US prices for those. If you want a dripper the one from smoktech (ocotpus, RDA, Magic what else does it have from name ?) is 10-15$.

You already have wire, so if you got for something with SS mesh, you will need to get some mesh somewhere. In my aga one, there was a piece of mesh which I am still using now, but going to replace with some #500 mesh today

 

[pdib]

I'm having a lot of fun with IGO-L. Speaking of "toys", this one has some room in it, so you can experiment a bit more than w/ some of the other drippers. I enjoy the AGA-t2 in the same way; lots of potential for playing with builds. If you want to experiment and stay at lower cost, get a variety of Nichrome wire from Jacobs NichromeCalc. They have free shipping, so at about $2.50/gauge, you could get say: 28, 30, 32, 34. They also have that resistance calculator for Nichrome wire. Nichrome is just as good as Kanthal (IMHO), but it's resistance is lower.

 

[octa]

AGA-T2! . . . 10 characters

 

[pdib]

I wanted to add that I see a lot of threads about problems setting up the AGA-t. (It can be a real learning curve for some; but, satisfying when achieved.) The IGO-L is a much easier build. It, tho, only holds maybe 15 drops of liquid, and can't carry your day's supply of juice. (I think, however, that juice comes in these convenient little bottles . . . . . )

 

[4matic]

Yes aga-t, as said by others, is NOT a beginner's device (although the price point might say otherwise) as it is somewhat harder to set up than the other more expensive rba's out there. With that said, I too suggest starting out with a silica rba like the igo, octopus, etc. you won't be disappointed.

 

[JMarca]

At the 20-30 dollar price point I see no harm in picking up one of each (sneaky face), I think I'll get an Octopus, an igo and a aga-t. Looked them up this morning. I might have problems but I never met a challenge I wasn't stubborn enough to try at least once. Regarding SS Mesh vs Cotton/Silica wicks... which last longer and does steel have a funky metallic aftertaste or anything like that? Mind you I've never tried anything other than standard Silica and my craft store cotton.

Thanks for all the replies guys... man you guys are friendly compared to other hobby communities I've been involved with!

EDIT: Just thought of this, didn't want to double post. Could you get away with oxidizing a SS mesh with a lighter or do I really need a portable blow torch? Might get weird looks at home when I come in with a torch! I've just been boiling then microwaving cotton and passing a lighter threw the coil wire, but metals are all new to me.

 

[cricque]

well the stainless steel mesh is something different, some like it, others don't. If you are planning on going with an aga-t, watch some videos about genesis style tanks. These will help you alot..

Cotton vs silica lifespan ... well the cotton, if it is dry it burns. So you never let it get too try
I don't have a metallic aftertaste, but also a "newbie" when it comes to an aga-t since I only have mine for a week now, but not using anything else since

The blow torch is not really necessary. I tried the "unoxidized" method. Just run it through a lighter flame and pulse it. You might want to look for "petar k" method on how to wrap a coil and then there is somewhere an "unoxidized" method. This worked out very well for me. Specially the coil wrapping, it's so damn easy using that method

 

[JMarca]

well the stainless steel mesh is something different, some like it, others don't. If you are planning on going with an aga-t, watch some videos about genesis style tanks. These will help you alot..

Cotton vs silica lifespan ... well the cotton, if it is dry it burns. So you never let it get too try
I don't have a metallic aftertaste, but also a "newbie" when it comes to an aga-t since I only have mine for a week now, but not using anything else since

The blow torch is not really necessary. I tried the "unoxidized" method. Just run it through a lighter flame and pulse it. You might want to look for "petar k" method on how to wrap a coil and then there is somewhere an "unoxidized" method. This worked out very well for me. Specially the coil wrapping, it's so damn easy using that method

Thanks man, I'll look this up later tonight and put an order in. Hopefully I find my tank. After trying cotton I'll never go back to silica, maybe I'll like the mesh even more, who knows?

 

[4matic]

Thanks man, I'll look this up later tonight and put an order in. Hopefully I find my tank. After trying cotton I'll never go back to silica, maybe I'll like the mesh even more, who knows?

I started with cotton cheesecloth in my phoenix and went to silica in my igo mini and I kind of prefer the silica over the cotton because of how consistent it is and not having to worry about burning dry since i'm dripping. Also, I find that silica lasts a lot longer than cotton especially at my lower ohm setups...but that's just me.