My first RDA... The tugboat.

[LuNar]

Hi guys!

So my friend gave me a rda because he didn't like it. Turns out it's a tugboat. I couldn't do a successful dual coil. One coil was heating up much faster before the other and I couldn't figure out what I did wrong so I just made a single coil.

Came out to about 2ohms. 28 gauge kanthal, 2.4mm. Wow guys... the flavor and vapor is actually BETTER than my Lemo drop. Not by a whole lot but it's noticeable.


I'm not sure if it's authentic, I'll see if I can get some pictures...


Can you guys tell me if you think it's authentic or a clone? The center pin is copper, so Is the contact and it feels well-built.

Also do is this enough cotton? Should I have put more cotton under the coil? Is this how someone would build a single coil on a tugboat? Sorry for lots of questions it's my first time with an rda and I've only had my Lemo for about 2 weeks max so I'm not too familure with building coils for rda's/rta's.

I think next i'll try to make a 1.2ish ohm coil but unfortunately my vtr can only put on 15 watts max. Still vapes pretty good though!

 

[drunkenbatman]

First of all, congrats! That's a great feeling, savor it.

Hi guys!
Came out to about 2ohms. 28 gauge kanthal, 2.4mm. Wow guys... the flavor and vapor is actually BETTER than my Lemo drop. Not by a whole lot but it's noticeable.

Heh, it's really become my favorite go-to with the V2, and recc. For a larger chamber, it really delivers on flavor.

And FYI, you can do dual coils on 15w, but you'll be making enough compromises that if you're happy there's a lot of experimenting to be done before you go back to duals.

Can you guys tell me if you think it's authentic or a clone? The center pin is copper, so Is the contact and it feels well-built.

My clone-fu isn't that strong. Post should be copper, delrin insulator black, etc. Some of the clones are basically 1:1 now though.

Also do is this enough cotton? Should I have put more cotton under the coil? Is this how someone would build a single coil on a tugboat?

There are times to put cotton under the coil, but not really here. It's too much. The issue is that cotton absorbs great, but doesn't wick well. So all that cotton over on the other side is basically where your liquid goes to die while the cotton around your coil goes dry. There are sometimes reasons to do it (block off airholes, etc. but not really in this case.

If you skip ahead here you'll get the gist (1st I found and didn't play close attention, so if you end up lured into a cult because of it I'm not responsible):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcDvuyjdTb4

As a quick tip: if you taste the cotton, it's too much cotton. If you taste coil, it's not enough.

 

[itskohler]

So my friend gave me a rda because he didn't like it. Turns out it's a tugboat. I couldn't do a successful dual coil. One coil was heating up much faster before the other and I couldn't figure out what I did wrong so I just made a single coil.

Learning dual coils will come with practice and patience. Like it was previously mentioned, stay on 1 coil for a while and tinker with settings. Who knows, you might be content with a single coil build for a long time.

Can you guys tell me if you think it's authentic or a clone? The center pin is copper, so Is the contact and it feels well-built.

It looks like a clone to me, but that shouldn't worry you. Using clones equipment is more of a moral battle within ones self more than anything else.

Also do is this enough cotton? Should I have put more cotton under the coil? Is this how someone would build a single coil on a tugboat? Sorry for lots of questions it's my first time with an rda and I've only had my Lemo for about 2 weeks max so I'm not too familure with building coils for rda's/rta's.

That looks like too much cotton IMO. Leave some space under the coil, then have the legs of cotton wrap towards the other side of the atty. Another important factor is the amount of cotton used. But that's a whooooole other conversation.

 

[hereweare]

What watts are you vaping at? I too just acquired my first rda, the tugboat. I have to get some wire so I can tinker more but I can only push 15w too.

Edit: also mine whistles like there's no tmrw.. is this normal?

 

[drunkenbatman]

What watts are you vaping at? I too just acquired my first rda, the tugboat. I have to get some wire so I can tinker more but I can only push 15w too.

You'll probably be happiest with a single coil, and should look into microcoils and even dragon nano/microcoils. They'll allow you to get a good concentrated heat within your amp limit.

Edit: also mine whistles like there's no tmrw.. is this normal?

On the V1, yeah. It's way less on the V2 with it wide open, but you can adjust the airholes on the V1 to make a difference.

My understanding is it has to do with the size of the holes, and the way the holes are cut into the metal on some atty's. When the holes are smaller, the whistling happens but it's not really in the normal range of hearing.

One thing you can do is something called chamfering. There are drill bits you can buy to do this, but it's often easist to get it done somewhere. It causes the hole to have an angle to it.

 

[HaveNoIdea]

Nice device. For me, it is Ok for clones, if it can work well.

 

[hereweare]

One thing you can do is something called chamfering. There are drill bits you can buy to do this, but it's often easist to get it done somewhere. It causes the hole to have an angle to it.

Sounds easy enough, I have a drill press(and now have a reason to use it) I will have to look into that more thanks

I've seen all the safe vaping charts and everything, but I can't seem to get the flavor or clouds.. I'm at 8w on a 1.8ohm which is just ok for me, not much (if at all) different from my aerotank mega.. I know the tugboat isn't a flavor rda but I really expected more.. must be missing something

 

[LuNar]

Ya I'm pretty happy with this rda, clone or not. Still having a fun time trying to get a dual coil to work lol. In good time i'll get it down.

Thinking about getting a ipv mini. I think it's exactly what I'm looking for... besides how it looks though..meh. I'd much rather have a authentic hana mod but I think an ipv mini will do me good for a long while.

Vape on fellas!

 

[InTheShade]

Sounds easy enough, I have a drill press(and now have a reason to use it) I will have to look into that more thanks

I've seen all the safe vaping charts and everything, but I can't seem to get the flavor or clouds.. I'm at 8w on a 1.8ohm which is just ok for me, not much (if at all) different from my aerotank mega.. I know the tugboat isn't a flavor rda but I really expected more.. must be missing something

Most of those vaping charts are for older cartomizers and single coil older-style clearomizers. On an RDA, don't be afraid to turn it up.

On a single 1.8 ohm coil I would be vaping between 20-25 watts. If your wicking is right, you should have no issues at all cranking it a little. Just experiment, you may not have to even go that high.

Don't let a chart or someone else's experience tell you what is normal. These devices we use are called variable for a reason. Let your taste buds tell you what wattage is right.

 

[drunkenbatman]

I've seen all the safe vaping charts and everything, but I can't seem to get the flavor or clouds.. I'm at 8w on a 1.8ohm which is just ok for me, not much (if at all) different from my aerotank mega.. I know the tugboat isn't a flavor rda but I really expected more.. must be missing something

Listen to InTheShade on this one. You didn't say what type of coil you were doing... silica? cotton? Keep it single coil, and start experimenting with microcoils and cotton, and then dragon micro/nano coils. They heat very quickly at a lower wattage and provide a lot of surface area for vaporing eliquid. You'll be surprised at what you can do.