Mechanical clone durability vs price?

[pauly walnuts]

hcigar makes pretty good clones. Of course the anti-clone people are going say "Well that wouldn't happen if you bought an authentic!" if something breaks on a clone. It's just the elitism seeping out. buy what you can afford but still do some research on the quality clones. And yes, the words Quality and Clone can go together.

I agree. I can buy 4 or 5 stainless clones for the price of one authentic, and thats all I need to know. I have sandpaper and files, so any fine fitting work or rough threads can be fixed. If my atty sits a bit crooked, I really dont care, as long as its solid.

I am poor at the moment (just got back to work with a mountain of bills), so my 'artistic property infringement' concerns are non existent.. I could only dream about being able to buy an american made mod. Hell, I have to choose between buying a mechanical or a magma clone, both being around 20 dollars.
But better days are comin

 

[pauly walnuts]

Thanks for all the feedback, I really appreciate it. If anyone else has had great luck with stainless threaded clones, Im all ears..

 

[pauly walnuts]

As always ... there are good and bad clones.

I just bought this King mech mod clone for $16.25 ($23 after shipping). It's all stainless, so the threading wont strip out. It's built like a tank and has good machining. Heavy knurling, so it's easy to remove the end caps. Won't fall over or accidently fire when standing upright since the fire button is flush with the bottom end cap.

On the other hand, the Kayfun Lite Plus mounted on it is authentic SvoëMesto ... The Kayfun Lite clone I had before was such a POS that it went in the trash, so I ordered an original made in Germany.

The King mod clone is out of stock now, but they should have more soon ... The supplier is a Chinese company, but has a warehouse in California, so only a few days between ordering it, and the mod finding it's way into my mailbox. KING II Style Mechanical Mod Stainless Steel



Thanks man, this one looks good. Ill log that into my list of possibilities.

 

[Ms82082]

16$ slowtech copper 4nine has been awesome for me.

 

[StarsAndBars]

I finally wound up getting an Hcigar Nemesis clone (stainless w gold rings) about a week ago. They are going for 30 bucks on evcigerettes.com. Honestly, I can't imagine the authentic version being any better. Great threads, great finish, even the firing button is flawless. I can't think of a single complaint. Couldn't be happier.

 

[pauly walnuts]

Update. I just bought this nemesis clone. Nemesis Mechanical Mod Vaporizer Clone Stainless Black or Copper | eBay

Hopefully it holds up for a while. For twenty bucks including shipping, and from a seller close to home, I couldnt pass it up.
Obviously its a fasttech clone of some sort, so a little TLC may be in order, but I have the tools and skills to smooth it out if necessary.
I should be getting it in the next few days, Ill post my results.

 

[StateRoad84]

I bought a Brass Nemesis clone from 101 Vape for $16. I'm not sure who the maker of the clone is, but I am very satisfied with it. Can't beat the price for my first mech. I'm sure as long as I treat it right, don't cross thread, over tighten it will last. Getting a nice patina on it. Gonna get the switch and contact upgrade from fatdaddyvape.com for 13.99.

 

[rhean]

Im in the market for a mechanical mod, again.

Just recently, I was soooo excited to receive my m16 sentinel clone. I bought a couple vtc4 batteries and was ready to go. When I got it, it looked beautiful, functioned well, and seemed pretty durable. Boy was I wrong. After less than a week the soft aluminum threads stripped out of the 510 connection and I sent it back.
Bummed out.

It was a fasttech clone on ebay for 20.00. I had delusions of grandeur.

I know of two companies whos clones seem to be great quality, hcigar and infinite. But are there others?

Im am looking at the hcigar m16 clone now, and its only twenty dollars. Is this a good route? I can only spend 20-30 dollars and im trying to get some bang for my buck. Ill be keeping my mod in my pocket almost 12hrs a day, bartending and waiting tables, so its gonna bounce around alot. This mod is made of stainless steel and seems pretty damn good for the money.

Ive been using my el cheapo(but awesome) helios clone on a vamov3 and while being decent, its just not the same.

I have the brass m16 from FT, which now goes for $14, I think. that thing might outlive my kids.

Just don't do aluminum.

 

[PapaSloth]

16$ slowtech copper 4nine has been awesome for me.

I ditto this, but get the SS one for $12.83 instead:
FastTech SS 4nine clone

 

[JohnnyBGoode]

Aluminum is one of the most malleable metals known. A point proofen again recently by the bendable iPhone 6+
Hence it makes a poor choice for threading on mods.

Stainless steel might be a lot heavier, it is still a lot more durable.
My ss clone nemesis is basically indestructible and still perfectly functional after half a dozen of serious drops over 1.5 yrs of usage.

Try to stay away from the cheapest of the cheapest. Usually there's several models of a mod available with a minor price difference (on the same website, like FT)
Take the 25$ one instead of the 19$ model.

 

[owmang]

get a fasttech nemesis you wont be let down. i have a copper fasttech clone ive been using for about 3 months and it hits like a champ, the machining on it is immaculate (for a clone), no burrs or scratches and have had no problems what so ever with it so far and it seems i wont ever have a problem with it. although i think its only copper plated its still a great buy at just over $20.

 

[The Cloud Minder]

I bought a Tobeco Stingray X clone, after a week, the button was sticking "on". Took it back to the B&M, they replaced the whole bottom button for free.

Dropped it 3 days later and the locking ring got jacked over the threads, took a pair of rubber tipped channel locks to it, and the whole thing now works awesome, better than new.

 

[PapaSloth]

Take the 25$ one instead of the 19$ model.

I would say, generally, that you should take the one with the highest ratings regardless of the price (I bought the most expensive Kayfun Lite Plus V2 clone and the cheapest 4nine clone, because both were the highest rated on FastTech).

 

[Nightshard]

Most SS mech mods (even lower grade steel) will last for years.
Can't say the same for regulated mods.

 

[pauly walnuts]

Most SS mech mods (even lower grade steel) will last for years.
Can't say the same for regulated mods.

Ive had a vamo v3 for almost a year. While the electronics are still working well, the brass threads have been partially stripped for months. I used a piece of aluminum foil and perma mounted a dripper on top. Thats why I needed something else. Hopefully the nemesis's 510 threads will be more durable.

 

[smacksy]

My sister dropped her ss nemesis clone getting out of my 18 wheeler..the patriot RDA ripped out of the 510 threads and the locking ring got bent out of round with a dent so bad it wouldn't turn..has the be poor quality stainless steel the Chinese use in these cheap clones..as comparison I dropped my stainless BFM authentic 26650 mod getting out of my truck at a Montana truck stop. It got a few little scratches but fired right up..
Clones just don't cut it for me (durability wise) on the road, or at home for that matter..
* She also didn't like having to unscrew, puff, re-screw...unscrew puff puff and re-screw down that locking ring routine, when it did work..I'm not a clone fan myself so for Christmas I plan to get her a BCV XXIX with the recessed magnetic button, hybrid top cap and with the stainless tube option..should make her vaping pure pleasure and very satisfying knowing she won't have to worry about that stupid locking ring standing it up anymore and vaping a hard hitting mod made with USA quality..
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