Mark Bugs Bottom Feeding Rebuildable Atomizer (prototype) initial impressions

[JC Okie]

I've been playing with mine for a day and a half now, and I've changed the wick (and made a new one and installed it) about 4 times now. I'm loving it. I love the draw, and all of the wicks that I've made and installed have been better than the one that came with it....and they will hold more juice, too. At first I used the wick it came with and I was getting only about two vapes before I had to squonk again. The wick (the one I've been using now for all day) that works the best is a mixture of SS 325 mesh and cotton thread (100% cotton crochet thread from Walmart). What I did was put two strands of cotton thread through the middle of the rolled up SS mesh. It's working GREAT, tastes great, and I can get as many puffs between squonks as I can with my 510 attys. I love the way it looks, although I did take the SS drip tip off and replaced it with one of my Mings. All in all, I'm a happy, happy camper. I'm using it right now on a Grand....and I'm patiently waiting to get a VV Grand. I think that will be the absolute perfect vaping set-up. I still have some other wicks I want to try (sterile gauze and cheesecloth,) but I'm going to cruise for a little while with the one I have and see what happens.

BTW, I've found that it's impossible to flood this thing...which is great. I don't have MUCH of a problem with flooding, but in the past I'd have to be a little careful. With this, it's not even an issue. Squonking is a little different since I can't see, hear, or feel anything, but it has not been a problem, and I haven't had a dry hit yet. In my books, this is an A+. I'm not a push-over.....am a little picky about my attys.....have been using HH-357s almost exclusively for almost a year now.... It's working for me to the point that if they weren't so darned expensive, I'd get me another one.

 

[rondasherrill]

The draw is a bit stiffer than what I prefer.(not unbearably so, just different).

Are you sure the wick is away from the vent hole? Mine is quite airy.

 

[JC Okie]

If I had to rate the draw on mine, it'd come down on the side of airy over stiff. Especially with the first wick (the one it came with) on it....when I changed it out and put my own on, it was a little tighter....or maybe just warmer...or something. Better. I love the draw.....I vape, then have a roomful of vapor. Every time.

 

[house mouse]

Are you sure the wick is away from the vent hole? Mine is quite airy.

I pushed the wick in completely between the 2 posts and it is drawing a little better, Thanks!

 

[house mouse]

OK, so I broke down and recoiled a wick. Took a piece of a cotton ball and rolled it into a wick. Cut a generous length of 36gauge nichrome and wrapped it several times around the wick and a small pin. Pulled the legs through the posts and tightened them down gently. Cut off the excess wire and wick and it looked really good, wasn't that difficult either. Soaked the wick down with juice and threw it on the Provari to check the ohms. 5.5

Back to the drawing board.

 

[strprswpr]

Got my Chalice running. Triple Ody Wick with 32 Kanthal. I used the old thinner Ody Wick. I think it's 2mm.

 

[JC Okie]

OK, so I broke down and recoiled a wick. Took a piece of a cotton ball and rolled it into a wick. Cut a generous length of 36gauge nichrome and wrapped it several times around the wick and a small pin. Pulled the legs through the posts and tightened them down gently. Cut off the excess wire and wick and it looked really good, wasn't that difficult either. Soaked the wick down with juice and threw it on the Provari to check the ohms. 5.5


Back to the drawing board.

House mouse, I only wrap mine about 4 wraps. They come off LR....around 1.6 - 1.8 usually. (I don't meter them every time....) so maybe you have too many wraps.

 

[AnilomNor]

I have been experimenting with the chalice as well. In my opinion I like the ss mesh around a ceramic wick a lot more. I'm using 1.2 in the picture, but I just wrapped a new coil to 1.8 and like it much better.

 

[house mouse]

2 strands of 3/0 candle wick. 1.8 ohms. MUCH better draw than before.
Way more vapor too!!

 

[strprswpr]

I just wrapped a 3.0 coil with Nichrome and 3 strands of the same ODY wick....Kicked it to 12 watts and It's even better.

 

[pianoguy]

I have been experimenting with the chalice as well. In my opinion I like the ss mesh around a ceramic wick a lot more. I'm using 1.2 in the picture, but I just wrapped a new coil to 1.8 and like it much better. View attachment 126221View attachment 126222

Where do you find ceramic wick?

 

[AnilomNor]

Where do you find ceramic wick?

I got it from Nextel Braided Ceramic Very High Temperature Sleeving get the XC-116-25 that is one I have.

 

[AnilomNor]

I got it from Nextel Braided Ceramic Very High Temperature Sleeving get the XC-116-25 that is one I have.

Warning before you use it you must Torch the ceramic wick for a good minute or two until it burns a white color.

 

[pianoguy]

I got it from Nextel Braided Ceramic Very High Temperature Sleeving get the XC-116-25 that is one I have.

Thanks much!

 

[Justice]

ok Chalice arrived looks amazing reset the ohms from 2.1 to 1.5 my sweet spot and the draw was way too tight so i did it I bored out the air hole wow its perfect now maybe almost a hair too easy but Im loving it

 

[hildicat]

ok Chalice arrived looks amazing reset the ohms from 2.1 to 1.5 my sweet spot and the draw was way too tight so i did it I bored out the air hole wow its perfect now maybe almost a hair too easy but Im loving it

Oh my! I've been tempted, even broke out the drill today just couldn't bring myself to do it. What size bit did you use. The smallest I have is I think 3/16th. Its so 'pretty' and so pricey that I didn't want to take the chance of screwing it up, but just a bit more air flow would be very nice.

 

[Justice]

Ive no idea what size it was dont think it was quite 3/16 i have a bunch of tiny machinist bits that ive no idea what size they are so i started small and worked my way up

 

[hildicat]

If anyone is still having trouble setting up the wick going diagonally between the post, I offer you this video from Scott.
REVIEW OF THE PHOENIX REBUILDABLE ATOMISER FOR ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES - YouTube

He's not setting up a Chalice, but the atty he's using is just about identical to it, at least in terms of the way the posts are laid out. He does a fantastic job setting up the wick and coil and the video production is so great it leaves nothing to the imagination.

BTW- Mark, not sure how you feel about me linking to a video of another product, but I think its very germane to the subject and was extremely helpful for me. That said, feel free to delete or edit this post if you feel the need.

 

[Xaria]

ok Chalice arrived looks amazing reset the ohms from 2.1 to 1.5 my sweet spot and the draw was way too tight so i did it I bored out the air hole wow its perfect now maybe almost a hair too easy but Im loving it

Justice, I am happy to see you got your Chalice!


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[iVape2]

Really enjoying the Chalice with SS wick and Copper Creek "Banana Cake"