My first build

[greasegizzard]

So I attempted my first build tonight. Maybe a little more advanced than what I should have tried. I did a single vertical coil for the TFV4. 24awg Kanthal, 7 wraps, .75 ohms. and wrapped it in rayon. I didn't take pics, but I'm going to let it soak and make sure it's not going to leak on me. I noticed it took around 45 watts to get decent flavor from it. I was hoping to be able to fire it around 35 watts.

 

[greasegizzard]

I attempted to mimic this build. Mine didn't turn out as pretty. My spacing is not very good, but I was doing it by hand and don't really have the tools I'd like to have. No leaking overnight. A little bit of discoloring where some of the rayon pulled away from the coil, but never a burnt taste. I think it's just from the juice on the coil.

 

[greasegizzard]

 

[greasegizzard]

What's the best way to build contact coils? When I was wrapping this one, I couldn't get the wire to stay very close, it always sprang back a bit. And is a contact coil okay in a vertical build?

 

[Tom Forde]

What's the best way to build contact coils? When I was wrapping this one, I couldn't get the wire to stay very close, it always sprang back a bit. And is a contact coil okay in a vertical build?

What kind of wire are you using? With Non-TC wires like N80 & Kanthal it's fine. With Ni200 & Ti I build spaced coils. But, yeah you can build a vertical contact coil. If the wraps are springing in and out of contact, pulse fire so it glows red hot and pinch with tweezers. If you have ceramic tipped tweezers, you can pinch it together while firing it.
The most important thing I find in vert RBA/RTA chimney builds is the wicking. I have a 528 customs Monster v3 & usually build vertically on the deck. Your wicking has to be just right, or else you'll either get leaking or dry burning cotton because the wicking material isn't wicking up juice. Just my .02¢

 

[greasegizzard]

I'm using kanthal right now. I'll try pulsing and squeezing. I don't have any ceramic tweezers yet. A coil kit is on my shopping list. I think I had it wicked pretty good. No leaks and the rayon was keeping up fairly well. That one was a little more tight on the draw than I like. I'm going to builds a little bigger diameter next time.

 

[edyle]

What's the best way to build contact coils? When I was wrapping this one, I couldn't get the wire to stay very close, it always sprang back a bit. And is a contact coil okay in a vertical build?

a simple coiler like the kuro type coil is very easy to make a contact coil

$2.19 Kuro Koiler Wire Coiling Tool - CW-25 at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[edyle]

So I attempted my first build tonight. Maybe a little more advanced than what I should have tried. I did a single vertical coil for the TFV4. 24awg Kanthal, 7 wraps, .75 ohms. and wrapped it in rayon. I didn't take pics, but I'm going to let it soak and make sure it's not going to leak on me. I noticed it took around 45 watts to get decent flavor from it. I was hoping to be able to fire it around 35 watts.

thicker wire needs more watts

 

[greasegizzard]

I think I'm going tio get the coil master kit for $30-40. I think it has a few of those in it, right?

 

[edyle]

I think I'm going tio get the coil master kit for $30-40. I think it has a few of those in it, right?

I have this one:

$6.88 Universal Tools Wire Coiling Tool w/ Phillips & Slotted & Hex Key Screwdriver Bits - black / 3.5mm + 3.0mm + 2.5mm + 2.0mm winding rods at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

4 sizes

 

[greasegizzard]

Those definitely look a lot easier than doing it by hand.

 

[93gc40]

I made a version of this, Amazon.com: Artistic Wire Coiling Gizmo(R) Deluxe Winder for Jewelry Making, from a piece of 2x2 a Coat hanger 2.5mm, a bike spoke 2mm, a BBQ skewer 3mm, some rubber washers and a nut and screw.

 

[greasegizzard]

Sounds interesting. You have any pics?

 

[93gc40]

Not a good one, this is with 3mm BBQ skewer.

 

[greasegizzard]

Pretty neat. Might have to look around the house and see what I find.

 

[93gc40]

Works great, Makes no torch contact and spaced coils. Just a matter of if you set up the rod with a incline for contact or decline for spacing, and how much tension you apply to the free end of the wire. I hang a 14" pipe wrench from the free end. Perfect coil every time.