Holy Grail Cartridge: Fiber and Plastic Free

[imogene]

After reading medical studies about all the lung issues that people working with paper, wool, cotton, nylon wool (which is currently in the filters), and other "fibrous" fillings experience, I seek a fiber free filter, assuming it's possible.

The lipton tea bag approach seemed ideal, since those fibers are woven and not likely to become loosened during inhaling and travel down my throat. However, after the BPA and recent PET hormone disrupting chemical discoveries, I also don't want to substitute one danger for another.

My first idea is taking the pyramid tea bag approach and using a stainless steel metal mesh. It would be infinitely re-usable, since you would only have to rinse it out or drop it into a cup with some fizzing denture cleaners and then rinse it off in the morning. Is this a feasible mod?

 

[rhoneil]

I have found that some PTB mods that I have used do have fray ends that come close to the atomizer and tend to sometimes fray and even tear. What I am using now is still with the Lipton PTB material but most of what is exposed to the atomizer bridge is folded, does not expose frayed edges to the bridge and keeps tears and snags of small particles to a minimum. Do you think there is still some danger in that?

rho

 

[imogene]

I have found that some PTB mods that I have used do have fray ends that come close to the atomizer and tend to sometimes fray and even tear. What I am using now is still with the Lipton PTB material but most of what is exposed to the atomizer bridge is folded, does not expose frayed edges to the bridge and keeps tears and snags of small particles to a minimum. Do you think there is still some danger in that?

rho

I doubt there's a lot of particulate problems with the lipton tea bag method, but since it's made from PET, it fails my "Holy Grail Filter" test for perfection. It may possibly be the best solution that currently exists.

There isn't enough research yet on how the PET plastic is leaching but if it releases antimony and estrogen disruptors the same way that the other plastics that leach BPA do,then the problem isn't with particles, but with the hot and steamed liquid. Plastics that leach BPA shouldn't be used with hot injestible liquids. My concern with the PET is that it may be the same situation. In fact, the entire plastic housing for the "filter" being made of plastic might be an issue. (Off topic, shouldn't the "filter" be called the "liquid holder" since it doesn't filter anything, it just holds the ejuice? Maybe "steaming chamber" instead of filter?)

For more info about PET and other leaching plastics:
ACS Publications - Cookie absent
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2702426


The Holy Grail Filter search is a search for perfection. Ideally, it would be perfectly safe, have no taste, never need replacing, hold an infinite amount of ejuice, and be small enough to fit into a device as thin as a cigarette. It doesn't exist, but the attempt to approach the ideal is worth the effort.

 

[SquirrilahFish]

I thought it was called FILLER

 

[Maveric]

My first idea is taking the pyramid tea bag approach and using a stainless steel metal mesh. It would be infinitely re-usable, since you would only have to rinse it out or drop it into a cup with some fizzing denture cleaners and then rinse it off in the morning. Is this a feasible mod?

I can't post links yet, but search Amazon for "#80 Stainless Steel Mesh". You can get small sections which is great.

I read that 80 mesh is the best to use for a wick. Not too expensive either considering they would be reusable. I might order one to try out.

 

[surbitonPete]

Whilst any dangers from vaping seem infinitesimal when compared to smoking tobacco it's still well worth thinking of ways to make it even safer. There was nothing much that could ever be done change to the fact that tobacco smoking was ruining your health and likely to end up being the cause of your death.

 

[daviddoughty1]

I've been playing with an idea that someone may be able to make work.
I have taken an 801 soft rubber tip, removed the "cup" and installed a small straw in the airway just long enough to almost equal the old "cup" length.
I then took a rubber thread protector "bulb" made a hole for the straw to pass through and fitted it's open end into where the old "cup" was.
This effectively makes a "balloon" to hold juice in the tip which holds about 1 ml. I then filled with a syringe which gives me a small hole.
When the tip is squeazed "in theory" I will get a drop which runs down the outside of the straw and drips onto the bridge.
I can't seem to get the hole size right, it either starves or floods.

These soft tips are soft enough to squeaze after they are installed in an atty thus allowing me to drip into my atty without having to remove tip.

Just an idea for thought

 

[Stehle]

Whilst any dangers from vaping seem infinitesimal when compared to smoking tobacco it's still well worth thinking of ways to make it even safer. There was nothing much that could ever be done change to the fact that tobacco smoking was ruining your health and likely to end up being the cause of your death.

Well said! I'm with you on this surbitonPete!

(You can try to educate, but its to each their own in the end I suppose.)

 

[Pumaman]

i just ordered some of the steel mesh to try, the PTB's give me a headache and a plastic taste. I'll post when it's done. One concern I have is heat transfer to the cartridge, we will see.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

A very similar type of material as the PTB can be found in Organza ribbon, and it is available in either Nylon or Polyester. I've been using it for over a month in my 510, and it works just as well as the Lipton PTB did. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ters-where-who-how-post361401.html#post361401

A 9' roll of it cost me $1 at Michael's.

 

[Pumaman]

From your post on the other thread:

"I can see the guys now - shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other while standing in the ribbon isle or in front of bolts of fabric and scratching their heads..."

That was me 2 hours ago... I came away with a polyester ribbon that wound up being too dense and the Tulle netting, which is actually working ok, but is giving me a bit of the same aftertaste the PTB's were, though not as bad. After spending the day with the PTB plug mod yesterday the taste was in my mouth for hours after I stopped vaping. The Nylon does give a bit of the same, but far less and so far no headache. Now tomorrow I have to hunt down the Organza polyester, more time getting strange looks at Micheal's I guess...

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

LOL Puma... I getcha. I feel that way when I stand in the tool area at Harbor Freight.

Look in the clearance isle. If you have some of the Lipton tea bag, take it with you to compare. It has to be a light, transparent weave but have some body to it. Wired is ok, and actually will help you to roll it. You'll cut off the wired end anyway after you fold the roll in half, and put it in the cartridge.

 

[SheerLuckHolmes]

I hear everyone saying that we should always use 100% polyester.... Now you are saying nylon is OK?

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

High melting point, same with polyester. I believe it is 420 F depending on the Nylon type.

At one point, it was believed that the Lipton PTB was nylon... recently it has come to light that it is actually PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which makes some uncomfortable using it due to reports of leaching. It is however, a very common food grade plastic used in many containers.

Woven Nylon fabric is just another option.

 

[Stric9]

I have started using fine mesh BRASS pipe screens (3 or more). It is a big improvement over the polyfil. I'm also noticing that the atty "seems" to run cooler. But I'm not sure if it's the conductivity of the brass (as it touches the bridge) or the increased wicking that is causing the atty not to heat up as much.
The key to using the wire mesh is to use an old atomizer to push it into the cart!

 

[Pumaman]

I have started using fine mesh BRASS pipe screens (3 or more). It is a big improvement over the polyfil. I'm also noticing that the atty "seems" to run cooler. But I'm not sure if it's the conductivity of the brass (as it touches the bridge) or the increased wicking that is causing the atty not to heat up as much.
The key to using the wire mesh is to use an old atomizer to push it into the cart!

Thanks, I was looking at brass mesh and wondering how that would work. My stainless just arrived, how did you roll the mesh? Good call on the old atty to make the indentation.

 

[skyward]

Thanks, I was looking at brass mesh and wondering how that would work. My stainless just arrived, how did you roll the mesh? Good call on the old atty to make the indentation.

I've often envisioned a wafer sandwich type plug using mesh from an old atty with a somewhat dense(maybe) amt of polyfill in between. thus alowing juice to sit free at bottom of the cart. any ideas?

 

[Vaporer]

I've thought the same thing.
Actually to the point of trying it. On an 801 the cart taper in near the bottom. SS mesh disk there works as a pool reservoir. As the filler below needs it it wicks it out.
On other carts I've made a Fluval plug to put in 1st that fits tight enough to not let the atty push the filler back. Worked , but not as well. Considered putting 2 heated pins thru the cart near the bottom to hold the mesh on straight chambered ones. If cut to the right length, a hot knife tip will seal the hole if they are cut just a tad short after the initial fitting. They aren't seen and don't get out.

I just got some PTB today and it gives more flavor no doubt to my 501. No burnt taste when near dry either....don't over fill on an 801 ..it floods easily.

 

[Stric9]

Thanks, I was looking at brass mesh and wondering how that would work. My stainless just arrived, how did you roll the mesh? Good call on the old atty to make the indentation.

It's not rolled at all.. I lay the two (or three) screens on top of each other (flat). Then use a Bic ink pen top to form the cone so that it will pool at the center of the atty bridge. (exactly how Vaporer is describing). Once I've got the cone formed I push it into the cart. Then use the old atty to finish seating it and also to make sure I don't damage the good good atty.

Warning: If the brass screen does not pool toward the center, the nic runs down the outter walls and misses the bridge and thus floods the atty. The screen will sit a lot deeper in the atty than the poly did.

The screens can be purchased anywhere (even Ebay). The 1/2 diameter round ones are almost an exact fit.

It works perfectly, but hits much harder than the polyfil. I had to drop the nic level from 36mg down to 24mg.

Respects

 

[one_raven]

I'm almost there.

I just need a bit of hardware to make it look nicer.
I am thinking I'm going to do a stealth pen - one that actually looks like a pen.