Making the hole in your carto for a Tank

[Str8V8ping]

Thanks for the pics. I was also looking for them. -I assume the slot itself has no real function other than to make it easier to make the correct sized hole?

I have not tried to make hole in cartos, but assume that I can make a 9mm hole in a piece of wood to keep it firmly in place. I can then use my dremmel-like tool to drill trough the wood and into the carto. Alternatively, I can cut away some wood, and use the wood to keep the carto in place and make it more manageable.

Hmm, the wood thing could also be used to make a small jig. If you can strap down the dremmel in some way. You then make some kind if stopper. You can then lead the piece of wood with the carto inside to the dremmel, and be sure that it stops at the right debt. -Surely a bit more hassle than using a punch-tool though, but with no deforming of the carto.

The slot shape is only because the cutting wheel is round and by the time the middle of the wheel makes a hole it starts cutting on the sides.

The wood way will work i guess but sounds like to much of a pain for something thats so simple.

 

[ToweKnee]

Actually Phil makes a great video on how to slot a carto. Great review and this is how I am going to do mine when my tanks get in.

A PBusardo Tutorial - How I slot my cartos!.wmv - YouTube

 

[wyojoe]

I've been using the partial slotting method described here with great success (thanks to mwa for that) but I'll go get a SV tomorrow and give it a try. I've seen picts of punched cartos using a SV and it scares me for two reasons. the hole size seems really big and the dent made in the process of creating the hole seems really large as well, and I'm worried the dent will cause leaking issues on the bottom seal of the tank. but the SV is cheap enough I guess to give it a try.

I have been using the Saddle Valve for over 6 months and it works great. Make sure you tighten the screws to clamp the carto tight, Hand tight real good not a screw driver. Then start turning the T-handle and turn it util you hear a pop and continue to turn all the way in. Unscrew the T-handle and loosen the screws holding the carto and take it out and its ready to go. It makes a hole that wicks well and any indentation that it makes, will not hurt anything or hurt the performance of the carto. Most of the prepunched carto's that you can buy, are punched and not slotted or drilled.

NOTE: Punch hole only once, and do not punch 2 holes, or it will keep flooding the cartomizer.
I have found 2 different SV one with a flat plate that squeezes against the carto,
one with a curved plate at the bottom. I prefer the curved plate. Hope this helps and
HAPPY vaping.

 

[markfm]

I've done slotting 6 months, not so thrilled with the couple of saddle valves I tried. I recently went to a 3/8" hub with 1/4-20 sheet metal screws, find it fast, consistent.

 

[slimest]

If you want an accurate small hole in a stainless tube, you can use a small, thin conic abrasive bit for Dremel instead of a disk. The technology is the same - make a deepening, then use a needle to achieve optimal diameter. Looks better.
Dremel should be fixed to a table (ask your wife or friend) and the atty should be in your fingers.

 

[micksf]

Phil does make a good video but I found his slotting method allows too much juice to get in and the cartos end up constantly getting flooded. Using the partial slot method provided by the OP works perfectly for me. just the right amount of juice.

Actually Phil makes a great video on how to slot a carto. Great review and this is how I am going to do mine when my tanks get in.

A PBusardo Tutorial - How I slot my cartos!.wmv - YouTube

 

[micksf]

Can you post an example of the bit? Trying to find exactly what you are referring to.

If you want an accurate small hole in a stainless tube, you can use a small, thin conic abrasive bit for Dremel instead of a disk. The technology is the same - make a deepening, then use a needle to achieve optimal diameter. Looks better.
Dremel should be fixed to a table (ask your wife or friend) and the atty should be in your fingers.

 

[markfm]

The little hub with sheet metal screw actually does a neat hole, just turn it two revolutions after the screw contacts the carto wall. I use two holes, a pretty thin eliquid but a densely packed carto (fusions).

 

[wyojoe]

I've done slotting 6 months, not so thrilled with the couple of saddle valves I tried. I recently went to a 3/8" hub with 1/4-20 sheet metal screws, find it fast, consistent.

I have used the sheet metal screw and it does work very well. I just like the saddle valve because I can keep it in the office where I work, and not have a dremmel or a hammer, both make some noise.LOL

 

[slimest]

micksf, something like that:

TowerHobbies.com | 953 Dremel Aluminum Oxide Grinding Stone 1/4" Cone

There are also a more miniature bits.

 

[ToweKnee]

Ok slotted my carto like Phil did and two slots is way too much. I think one slot would of been fine. The other thing that concerns me using the Dremel and disc is that you are shaving the metal. Those metal shavings will find their way into the inside of the carto. To me thats not ideal and dont want to vape metal bits in my filler. Will go to Home Depot and grab a saddle valve for now.

 

[wyojoe]

Ok slotted my carto like Phil did and two slots is way too much. I think one slot would of been fine. The other thing that concerns me using the Dremel and disc is that you are shaving the metal. Those metal shavings will find their way into the inside of the carto. To me thats not ideal and dont want to vape metal bits in my filler. Will go to Home Depot and grab a saddle valve for now.

Let us know what you think about the saddle valve after you use it. It is my favorite way to punch holes. Only 1 hole is necessary.

 

[ToweKnee]

Saddle valve is where its at for sure. Easiest thing to do ever. I dont get why anyone would want to slot their cartos when this takes like 5 seconds to do.



Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk

 

[BuddyGoodness]

I find my saddle valve to work pretty good, but it is a pain to get it lined up properly so the spike doesn't slide down the side of the carto.

 

[wyojoe]

I find my saddle valve to work pretty good, but it is a pain to get it lined up properly so the spike doesn't slide down the side of the carto.

I had this sliding problem when I first started using the saddle valve and learned that if you tighten the screws EQUALLY on each side so the gap looks about the same on each side, and then tighten them good, the piercing rod will not slide down the side.

 

[acolyte357]

If the Saddle value is sliding one of two things could be wrong: 1) the screws are not tightened enough or not evenly.
2) the pointed bit on the T handle is dull. You can sharpen it with a Dremel or buy a new saddle valve. I normally sharpen it once every 3 to 4 months.