RDA How long do they last?

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alicewonderland

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Apr 28, 2012
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Sorry late replies :)
The brass pins wear off after say, three months? Anodized alum tarnishes a bit, the rda has deposits of scents of other juices......
Just trying to find out that Veritas, under proper care, wouldn't have that happening right? It's 304 stainless after all....

One more question, does old coils affect vapour production? New coils (I vape at .7) seem to have good taste for only five days max, even after re-wicking every one and a half day.

My coils I usually run at 0.2-0.5 ohms and I vape id say 10-20ml a day. I chain vape a bunch, and I find that with all the vaping the wire gives within a day if I use high gauge wire (26+). I've switched to 22-24gauge and they seem to last a bit longer, I can dry burn and rewick. I think they usually give mostly due to heat fatigue (not sure if that is the correct word, because most of my coils at least, I know when they're bad because i can push on the coil itself slightly and the legs just break off. I usually just change them every day or two now because the flavor is just better with a fresh coil tbh and its cheap to replace coils if you build your own. If you don't feel like changing coils just make sure before you rewick it, run it under some hotwater then give it a good dry burn to burn all the residue that collects on the coils off, should taste a bit like a new coil after.
 

edyle

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Oct 23, 2013
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Is Magma a good one? how much would you rate it, in terms of vapour, flavour, worth for the price?

The local vape shop (a stall, actually) has some original magmas in stock, costly tho.

And rda is a very simple thing; I wouldn't spend a whole lot on an rda, especially if it's the first rda you ever get.

https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10008103/1754904-magma-styled-rebuildable-dripping-atomizer
This 22mm magma version from fasttech is only $13; I ordered it because it doesn't have the big white plastic separator sitting inside the drip well;
there's also an igo 'maggie' which is a magma design.
I mainly use me 30mm veritases because of size/capacity.
That's this one:
https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10008562/1776804-veritas-styled-rebuildable-dripping-atomizer-29
only $11
 

Gabriel Chavez

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Feb 7, 2015
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My coils I usually run at 0.2-0.5 ohms and I vape id say 10-20ml a day. I chain vape a bunch, and I find that with all the vaping the wire gives within a day if I use high gauge wire (26+). I've switched to 22-24gauge and they seem to last a bit longer, I can dry burn and rewick. I think they usually give mostly due to heat fatigue (not sure if that is the correct word, because most of my coils at least, I know when they're bad because i can push on the coil itself slightly and the legs just break off. I usually just change them every day or two now because the flavor is just better with a fresh coil tbh and its cheap to replace coils if you build your own. If you don't feel like changing coils just make sure before you rewick it, run it under some hotwater then give it a good dry burn to burn all the residue that collects on the coils off, should taste a bit like a new coil after.

I wouldn't suggest trying to dry burn it while it is still wet. If that is what you are doing ( I may have misunderstood), then it is likely the reason that your coils are burning out so quickly. My coils last for several re-wicks, so about 1-2 weeks (I don't rewick unless vapor production drops significantly or if I want to try a new flavor by itself). I change them out if the heating becomes very uneven and I can't fix it easily. I build dual parallel coils at 0.2-0.3 total ohms with 24gauge kanthal. I also vape quite a bit each day, I couldn't put a number to it honestly, I don't keep that much track and my bottles aren't labeled with mL.


As far as the RDA itself wearing out: The only ways I have heard of them wearing out is if the insulator bushing on the positive post gets a short. They are pretty tough to find replacements for from what I understand.

Some other posters here are complaining about stripped screws... Have you guys tried checking out hardware stores? They usually have a sample set somewhere you can thread the old screw into to determine the size and threading, and then its just a matter of picking a length you like.
Hasn't happened to me personally yet that the screw has stripped, but I have stripped enough screws in my lifetime to have learned to 1.) use the proper size screwdriver, 2.) make sure the screwdriver is parallel with the screw, 3.) apply more pressure the harder you are trying to twist, and 4.) don't overtighten screws.

Hope you enjoy your RDA! Learn to build coils yourself and don't waste money having someone else do it! If you ask at my local shop they will just teach you how on the spot.
Oh and don't overpay for wire! One shop near me sells it for $1.00 a foot, and another sells it for about $0.35 a foot!
If you're not enjoying smoking from a RDA due to coughing (throat hit, etc.) be sure that you are using very low nicotine (I use 2 and suggest you don't go above 4... ever), and try higher VG ratio mixes for smoother hits. I personally vape nearly 100% VG and enjoy it much more than PG mixes. I haven't had noticed reduced flavor at all!

Happy vaping
 

Gabriel Chavez

Full Member
Feb 7, 2015
12
7
And rda is a very simple thing; I wouldn't spend a whole lot on an rda, especially if it's the first rda you ever get.

https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10008103/1754904-magma-styled-rebuildable-dripping-atomizer
This 22mm magma version from fasttech is only $13; I ordered it because it doesn't have the big white plastic separator sitting inside the drip well;
there's also an igo 'maggie' which is a magma design.
I mainly use me 30mm veritases because of size/capacity.
That's this one:
https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10008562/1776804-veritas-styled-rebuildable-dripping-atomizer-29
only $11

Agreed. Go with the less expensive version to start. Its gonna be the exact same experience. Just decide based on the number of coils you want, and the positioning of the posts.
The only reason I would ever upgrade is if I wanted to start doing coiled claptons or something ridiculous and wasteful like that :p
 

Thrasher

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Oct 28, 2012
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Yea , I can see how its giving out now. I had that RDA. What a cheap piece of junk.

Its OK to get you started but I def can see it not lasting.

I second a magma . even if a clone a good solid SS Atty will hold up quite well. If flavor decides to stick around just toss it in a pot of boiling water or glass with water and dawn soap.
 

Cloudd

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Lol turns out what happens is (not SmokTech, they're gone) that I'm too stingy on my coils, but even better: I pulled out the coils and straightened it with a screwdriver, and wipe it clean with a paper napkin, rebuild it (yes it requires finesse to put it just in place without cutting anything), now it fires even better than fresh coils, what a find...... The generic (ss maybe 304) RDA has a two piece top and it got loose eventually due to the thermal expansion/contraction cycle.... vaping on the cheap so, hammered it down and, good as new, no leakage, just having worn out screws that's all.
 

Kemosabe

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Sep 21, 2011
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i find the best way to remove old flavors from your RDA is to wash them with a toothbrush and warm soapy water. for less stubborn flavors, just warm water and a dry burn is all i need. if you do need soap, just be sure to rinse the soap off very well or use unscented soap. soap flavored vapor isnt very tasty IMO lol
 
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