Mechanical series tube

[Tabac man]

So the tube is live and the only thing preventing a short is the wrap. Got that. That would be in existing basic mech tube design though. An improved design could surely change that, or better thicker wraps specifically for the purpose of pos down mechs. No?

Just seems like a potential that hasn't been exploited yet. That said I get the impression, again looking in from the outside, that mech fans are drawn to the absolute simplicity of these mech tubes.

 

[YorkMan]

Seems like a pos wire could be incorporated. I’m drawn to the simplicity and the beauty of mech tube mods.

 

[YorkMan]

I just ordered two LiFePO4 18650 batteries specifically for mech mods, should be interesting. I’ll reduce coil builds to 0.5 ohms for the lower voltage and that should put me at the wattage I like so I really don’t see any downside for me. I can throw batts on the charger any time.

 

[Eskie]

So the tube is live and the only thing preventing a short is the wrap. Got that. That would be in existing basic mech tube design though. An improved design could surely change that, or better thicker wraps specifically for the purpose of pos down mechs. No?

Just seems like a potential that hasn't been exploited yet. That said I get the impression, again looking in from the outside, that mech fans are drawn to the absolute simplicity of these mech tubes.

There are tube mechs that have an internal non-conductive sleeve. The body of the tube, the metal, is still the positive, but there is separation between the battery surface itself and the metal of the tube. That's one way to improve the safety of a positive down orientation. Not all tube mechs have that.

 

[YorkMan]

Good point! The Dreamer that I just ordered has a sleeve for 18650 so that is the only size batt I will use. Good to have a bit more protection around that battery!

 

[Tabac man]

There are tube mechs that have an internal non-conductive sleeve. The body of the tube, the metal, is still the positive, but there is separation between the battery surface itself and the metal of the tube. That's one way to improve the safety of a positive down orientation. Not all tube mechs have that.

I guess it begs the question why aren't all tube mechs built like that? Why wouldn't users be looking for that, nay, demanding that?

 

[YorkMan]

Good question! Uninformed buyers? Maybe there is a downside that I don’t know about.

One of my attys has insulation that folds up and over the bottom of the threads on its 510 and the pin sticks out so I wonder why all aren’t built like that!

 

[YorkMan]

 

[Punk In Drublic]

I guess it begs the question why aren't all tube mechs built like that? Why wouldn't users be looking for that, nay, demanding that?

Good question – but that should be asked about many designs and not just specific to mechs. The sleeve is there to protect against negligence.

I’m using a multi cell regulated device right now. Battery sled is plastic, battery door is conductive. Should I neglect my battery wraps, the outcome will be the same as a mech. We can say this is a poor design – but the objective of this design was to offer a compact device where tolerances are extremely tight. The manufacture is putting the ownership on the user to be responsible. Device is a Lost Vape Triade

It’s a good idea for it does offer an extra barrier in the event that even a responsible user unknowingly is using a damaged wrap (grasping, but possible), but without standards manufactures are free to implement what they want.

 

[Rossum]

Good question – but that should be asked about many designs and not just specific to mechs. The sleeve is there to protect against negligence.

I’m using a multi cell regulated device right now. Battery sled is plastic, battery door is conductive. Should I neglect my battery wraps, the outcome will be the same as a mech. We can say this is a poor design – but the objective of this design was to offer a compact device where tolerances are extremely tight. The manufacture is putting the ownership on the user to be responsible. Device is a Lost Vape Triade

It’s a good idea for it does offer an extra barrier in the event that even a responsible user unknowingly is using a damaged wrap (grasping, but possible), but without standards manufactures are free to implement what they want.

Let's face it, the physical aspects of battery safety hasn't been a high priority in the design of most mods, regardless whether they're regulated or not.

 

[Upandcomingvgod]

Its a great saftey I use the vcm which is bare metal inside(copper) and i put a good battery in and it caught the threads just right to Nick it thankfully i noticed before using

 

[Baditude]

One question if I may. What are the disadvantages of a positive down design? From the outside looking in, so to speak, it seems like a no brainer. A bit like pointing a weapon down range and having a safety near the thumb.

... positive down makes the entire tube the positive bus for current flow so if the battery tube, which is negative, comes in contact with any part of the mod tube you have a short. So the battery wrap better be in really good condition.

So the tube is live and the only thing preventing a short is the wrap. Got that. That would be in existing basic mech tube design though. An improved design could surely change that, or better thicker wraps specifically for the purpose of pos down mechs. No?

Just seems like a potential that hasn't been exploited yet. That said I get the impression, again looking in from the outside, that mech fans are drawn to the absolute simplicity of these mech tubes.

Theoretically, a mech could be "wired" so that the battery orientation was positive down but the wire would provide current to the atomizer on top. But the vast majority of mech users are "purists", stating that any wiring in a mech disqualifies it as a pure mech.

My last remaining mech is an AltSmoke Silver Bullet. It's fire button is a wired switch, and mech purists say that wire disqualifies the SB as a pure mech.

Seems like a pos wire could be incorporated. I’m drawn to the simplicity and the beauty of mech tube mods.

Yep, there you go. The mere presence of a wire in my SB makes it not so simple.

 

[Baditude]

So the tube is live and the only thing preventing a short is the wrap. Got that. That would be in existing basic mech tube design though. An improved design could surely change that, or better thicker wraps specifically for the purpose of pos down mechs. No?

Just seems like a potential that hasn't been exploited yet. That said I get the impression, again looking in from the outside, that mech fans are drawn to the absolute simplicity of these mech tubes.

I guess it begs the question why aren't all tube mechs built like that? Why wouldn't users be looking for that, nay, demanding that?

My thoughts are the vast majority of mech manufacturers (the ones asking for more than $100 per mod) are small time machinists. Mom and pop manufacturers. The costs to add safety features like a battery sleeve or using a drill press to add drill holes to the tubes adds to the manufacturing costs due to time spent and parts procured, which increases the final costs of an already expensive mod. Time is money, friend. I don't get the impression that mech users are particularly looking for safety features in a mech. They are looking for a shiny polished metal tube, fancy paint finish or engravings, or the emblem of a skull and cross bones on the mod. Maybe throw in a "really nice" switch.

I never have liked the bottom fire switch in most mechs. This design pretty much dictates that you use the weakest finger on your hand to fire it (your pinky). Nearly all regulated mods incorporate a side fire button that you can use either your thumb or index finger to fire the mod...your two strongest digits on your hand. So why the bottom fire switch? Simply because they are cheaper and easier to manufacture.

It's my guess that a locking fire button costs a bit more than one which doesn't. But I personally wouldn't use a mech mod that doesn't offer that extra layer of safety.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

So why the bottom fire switch? Simply because they are cheaper and easier to manufacture.

Not true. A bottom fire switch is a proprietary design specific to that model of mech. I am taking about the expensive ones and not the cheap clones or stuff that comes out of China. It may utilize off the shelf OEM parts, such as a magnet or spring, but much of it is custom made which I am willing to bet cost more than many complete mods that come out of China

A switch on a regulated device is nothing more than a aesthetic button pressing against a mass produced switch that cost perhaps a few cents to manufacture.

 

[stols001]

It's not so much that I am drawn to the simplicity or beauty of regulated mods. Although some of mine are VERY pretty,

I'm just drawn to the simplicity and beauty of not blowing myself up.

I have some mechs. I will vape them when the time is ripe, meaning when society (or the lack thereof) makes me not so much care whether I die or not.

I have 4. I think one of them's the Noisy Cricket that is supposed to be the most dangerous one. Saving that one for last.

Anna

 

[bombastinator]

I guess it begs the question why aren't all tube mechs built like that? Why wouldn't users be looking for that, nay, demanding that?

One of the advantages of tube mechs is because they are so simple and designed to be strong, they last basically forever. There many tube mechs being sold new with quite old designs, but also the old ones are still out there and working.

 

[Baditude]

Not true. A bottom fire switch is a proprietary design specific to that model of mech. I am taking about the expensive ones and not the cheap clones or stuff that comes out of China. It may utilize off the shelf OEM parts, such as a magnet or spring, but much of it is custom made which I am willing to bet cost more than many complete mods that come out of China

Yeah you're right about that. I was just going off a conversation that I had years ago with the owner of AltSmoke, who had a hand in the design of the Silver Bullet. Many of the mechs back in the day came out of China and that was his explanation why those used the piston-style bottom fire button - cheaper and easier to make.

He helped come up with the design the SB used. A recessed fire button which made it a bit less likely to accidentally fire the button in a pocket. It took quite a bit of pressure to activate the switch. Wired switch which would disable itself if too much current was used. A hot spring that would melt if it got too hot and theoretically break the electrical circuit. The button was also designed to pop out if a battery vented.

I have the beginning of arthritis in all of my fingers, so trying to activate a bottom fire button with my pinky finger is almost impossible. I still have enough strength in the thumb of my dominant hand to press a side fire button, but there are few mechs using that design. AltSmoke no longer makes mods, but I still have one of the originals in my stash.

 

[bombastinator]

Yeah you're right about that. I was just going off a conversation that I had years ago with the owner of AltSmoke, who had a hand in the design of the Silver Bullet. Many of the mechs back in the day came out of China and that was his explanation why they used the piston-style bottom fire button. He helped come up with the design the SB used.

A recessed fire button which made it less likely to accidentally fire the button in a pocket. It took quite a bit of pressure to activate the switch. Wired switch which would disable itself if too much current was used. A hot spring that would melt if it got too hot and theoretically break the electrical circuit. The button was also designed to pop out if a battery vented.

I have the beginning of arthritis in all of my fingers, so trying to activate a bottom fire button with my pinky finger is almost impossible. I still have enough strength in the thumb of my dominant hand to press a side fire button, but there are few mechs using that design. AltSmoke no longer makes mods, but I still have one of the originals in my stash.

Iirc side fire went away because of safety issues. The buttons usually wound up protruding. I wrecked two “IMR” 18350s in a protruding button mech myself back in the day.

 

[Baditude]

Iirc side fire went away because of safety issues. The buttons usually wound up protruding. I wrecked two “IMR” 18350s in a protruding button mech myself back in the day.

Never heard of nor experienced that myself concerning the Silver Bullet All depends upon the build quality of the switch, IMHO. The Silver Bullet was noted for its high quality fire switch, and working for AltSmoke for over a year in one of their vape shop chains, never heard of a problem.

Now I admit, a protruding fire button is a safety hazzard. AltSmoke's BB (baby bullet or black beauty) had a protruding horn-style fire button. Bad design. Mine had a battery explode in it because I put it in a pants pocket --- stupid me. Although the button blew away as it was designed to and the hot spring melted, the battery still went into thermal runaway.

 

[Tabac man]

Theoretically, a mech could be "wired" so that the battery orientation was positive down but the wire would provide current to the atomizer on top. But the vast majority of mech users are "purists", stating that any wiring in a mech disqualifies it as a pure mech.

My last remaining mech is an AltSmoke Silver Bullet. It's fire button is a wired switch, and mech purists say that wire disqualifies the SB as a pure mech.

Yep, there you go. The mere presence of a wire in my SB makes it not so simple.

I remember motorcycle purists insisting a front brake on a bike was unnecessary.