Is 'The Bolt' truly a mechanical mod?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Proetus

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 12, 2013
3,225
6,530
Western Mass
Some websites say it's a MM, and other say it has a wired switch. I'm just looking into getting a Starter MM before I delve to dewy into that world and blow wads of cash! It's main use would be for setting up ss mesh coils and maybe playing around with some lower ohm coils that my vamo doesn't care for. If the bolt truly is wired would it still work for these purposes? What other MM are close in the same price range that are fairly dependable?

Thanks! Happy vaping!
 

stillnotsmoking

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 1, 2013
1,379
2,092
GA, USA
I have repaired mine before, it has a wired switch. The switch is rated for 5 amps I believe but the wire is really thin, needs to be replaced with a larger gauge IMO. You can get switches for it at radio shack. I like my bolt but it does not hit as hard as my other "true" mechanicals. Works good with a cargo tank but not so great for low ohm coils unless you upgrade the internals.

Check out discount vapers they have several mech mods for good prices comparable to the bolt.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2
 
Last edited:

skizif

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Oct 18, 2011
232
125
CT
It's not truly mechanical...that word gets thrown around way too much by vendors referring to mods that have no electronics in them. It's an unregulated mod, not mechanical, same as the smok telescope before they changed the top cap design. Anything with wire and solder is not truly mechanical. That's not to say its complete crap, its just not what they say it is.
 
Last edited:

oldjoe

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jan 5, 2011
546
147
Il.
As above ^ The Bolt does has a wired switch.
I've had one (Black) for several months and it works well. The tube and extension are made from aircraft grade aluminum (basically impossible to damage) with well machined threading and the textured finish is very durable. Mine has been dropped several times and not so much as a scratch.
It will accept a 18500 or 18650 (w/extension). I use a tank and 1.7 Ohm single coil cartos and have no complaints considering it's a fixed 3.7V device.
 
Last edited:

Deacon Aegis

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 30, 2013
262
211
Marietta, GA
www.aegissteamcraft.com
So if a mechanical has no wire, how does the electricity flow from the battery to the atomizer? Does it have a battery spring? Thats technically no different from a wire. Grounded case? Made of metal? Does the same thing as a wire.

Hehe, you're about to step into the long-time debate of the mech mod gods on this one.
 

volume control

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Nov 2, 2012
2,011
1,348
Mass
Hehe, you're about to step into the long-time debate of the mech mod gods on this one.


Per definition mechanical is to describe something that is "caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process". Pretty sure that would not be an accurate description of any PV, as electricity is non mechanical
 

VIPOD

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 15, 2010
895
567
57
NB,Canada
Every few months someone asks the age old question (an important one I might add)

.....Mechanical or Not Mechanical (Hamlet would be proud)

hamlet.jpeg

Many scholars have pondered this question, few have answered, but here at ECF we have answers, with many opinions, of course.

Scholarly? Hell no!

But I'll have a go at it.....

A GG, Natural, EA Mod, DrawTube, K100, KTS, Empire Mod, Caravela, Chi You,iHybrid , REO mini/grand (non vv) , GUS, Carevella, GP PAPs, (please :cry: fill in the many blanks) do not have any soldered connections, while the Bolt, Silver Bullet and Joyetech eGo-T2 do.

For many mod enthusiasts consider soldered connections the key differentiator between a fully mechanical and a semi mechanical mod.


......Ok, I had my say....really, Much Ado About Nothing, back to vaping! :facepalm:
 

Nitrobex

Reviewer / Blogger
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Oct 14, 2012
614
743
46
Martinsburg WV
Mechanical makes a physical mechanical connection, you press a button and it completes the circuit between the battery and the case with something moving (be it a post hitting the bottom battery post on a GG style or the pin in the cap hitting the bottom of the battery on a bottom button style)

The bolt is an unregulated device, there is no regulator in there, but it does have wires which go to a button, the button is like a light switch when you press it you are completeing the circuit in the button not making a physical connection between the battery and the case.

That is the best way I can express it.

Best analogy I can give:
Cars:
Mechanical, is moving the leaver on the carborator to rev the engine
Unregulated, stepping on a cable driven gas pettle
Regulated, stepping on a gas pettle in a drive by wire car
 

Deacon Aegis

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 30, 2013
262
211
Marietta, GA
www.aegissteamcraft.com
Per definition mechanical is to describe something that is "caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process". Pretty sure that would not be an accurate description of any PV, as electricity is non mechanical

Oh I have no doubt and I have no pony in this race. I just get amused watching this argument as there is quite a passion behind this debate all over the forums. It is almost religious in some of the threads the arguments as to whether a wire changes things as to which mod is pure-strain mechanical. I am merely amused to see the topic renewed and expect there to be much fun to be had. Of course, if you look at my avatar, I think I'll currently take the position of the two little guys on the shoulders and may even jump in with one voice or the other just for the fun of it. The overall consideration is entirely based on the zen of creating an electrical circuit anyway... ;)
 
Last edited:

CloudZ

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Nov 21, 2012
973
483
Minneapolis, MN
"Mechanical mod" is yet another slang term in this budding industry, and sort of a misnomer at that. It is still electrical, but the current from the battery is transmitted with solid metal rather than flexible wires. The concept is identical and the only difference is the geometry of the "wire", be it an actual wire or some part of the metal body. If it was truly mechanical, it would not use electricity. Perhaps two friction plates could rub together to generate heat, driven by a gas engine? That would be mechanical. I get the concept and how they are different from non-mech mods, but the term is misleading.

I am guessing the "mod" part originally came from "modified flashlight".

EDIT: oops, sorry. Dead thread.

0_0 *** Sent from my Droid Incredible 4G LTE *** 0_0
 

tc1

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Oct 26, 2011
2,218
1,494
Ohio
The problem with wires and electrical switches is that they are amp limited. By how much depends on the individual wire and switch in question.

What most consider "mechanical" you do not have this issue .... as the circuit is completed via solid metal contacts and the wall of the mod itself.

That does not mean a standard unregulated won't be up to task to handle the discharge of your battery. It does however give you more possible fault points. Simply put, there is a chance that the wires, switch, or solder might need replaced over time, especially in the case of a battery failure. On the plus side, you don't have to worry about cleaning the internals for proper conductivity.

Both are very durable and have the potential to last a long ... long time. The weakest point in both devices is the switch, with one completely made out of metal having an edge over one generally made of thin metal and/or plastic.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread