My latest mod, inspired by all of you.

[Sun Vaporer]

All, I plan to redo the NicoStick thread. After some of the feedback I have gotten here and in PMs, I am thinking I have a responsibility to include some safety information and cautions if I am going to give a step by step How To. With a little outside help, I have done up a size AA box and used a protected 14500 battery and a much larger switch (the same one that Kos was showing on his/hers). I have already talked it over with Sun Vaporer. The new thread will replace the old one, containing the same information plus a little more about the safety aspects. It seems important as there are more and more people with little or no post count asking me for this mod (post count infers to me that you have spent a little time here researching and asking questions, that is all). I am reluctant to put the mod or the instructions in the hands of some stranger who will run right out and make it with the tiniest switch they could find, bypass the kill switch because it is inconvenient, and use an unprotected cell, then tell the Fire Marshall they were only following the instructions online. Literacy does not always mean possessing common sense. I have REALLY learned that lesson recently. So, don't be alarmed when you see the old thread replaced. I am giving advance notice right now so you can copy and compare if you choose.

We appreciate Nicowolf's advancing saftey features on MOD"S--this is a very wise a prudnet contribution that Nicowolf is doing for all of you. The use of a kill swith is a must IMO when traveling out so the unit does not fire accidently in one's purse or pocket. The use of a protected battery is key for want of saftey when it comes to shortages, and charging. It is encouraged that all Modders employ these saftey features----------Sun

 

[Wildsky]

Some of us are not exactly STUPID, just not used to doing these kinds of things, so all safety tips are much appreciated!

 

[nicowolf]

Well done for giving it a go. It will be more special for being your own work, especially if this is the first time you've done anything like this.

If I remember correctly, Nicowolf was a techno-novice too just a month or two ago; how things change!

Nicowolf - apologies in advance if I've misremembered. And good luck with the write-up; hope more and more will make their own vapestick.

You are very much correct there Kinabaloo. I am still just an amateur or hobbyist. I really only know what I have learned from reading here and from researching batteries - mostly on sites linked to from here. That is exactly why the post count comes into play for me. The average person knows only alkaline batteries and these are very much different. I don't want anyone saying they were not told "THESE BATTERIES CAN BE DANGEROUS IN THE HANDS OF AN UNEDUCATED CONSUMER".

 

[Wildsky]

Well done for giving it a go. It will be more special for being your own work, especially if this is the first time you've done anything like this.

If I remember correctly, Nicowolf was a techno-novice too just a month or two ago; how things change!

Nicowolf - apologies in advance if I've misremembered. And good luck with the write-up; hope more and more will make their own vapestick.

It will be my first try!
I can do lots of other things, but fiddling around with wires and trying to get them in the right place is going to be a challenge.!
Bring me a piece of fabric and I'll make you something SNAZZY!
But wires! 8-o

 

[Multisync98]

I don't know if I've ever said it, but Nico, you're doing a great job! You're further in progress than I am, but I'm still learning all of this. One of these days, I'll be where you are and we can compare, maybe?

Anyway, Keep it up Nico!

-Jim

 

[Wildsky]

Wooohoooo - I ordered the correct batteries from Dealtime (with the charger) so I should be good to go when all my stuff gets here! If I don't totally screw it up - I'll be back to brag!

 

[nicowolf]

Some of us are not exactly STUPID, just not used to doing these kinds of things, so all safety tips are much appreciated!

ANY implication of anyone being stupid is NOT intended. There seems to be a school of thought that says "I'll just read the HOW TOs, throw something together with the cheapest stuff I can find, and I won't need to participate, read forums, learn anything about the device, etc.". I will not go too far into that right now except to say that you are definitely not one of them and I am going to call it Shortcutters' Disease. My father had a term for it too, lazyass-itis.

Before any reports of lives lost to Shortcutters' Disease, I want to get the appropriate info out there in the appropriate threads. I will go set to work on that this very minute before I have to be nudged again to get to work on it. (I always drag my feet about redoing things, but I do think it needs to be done and will quit procrastinating now).

 

[Wildsky]

ANY implication of anyone being stupid is NOT intended. There seems to be a school of thought that says "I'll just read the HOW TOs, throw something together with the cheapest stuff I can find, and I won't need to participate, read forums, learn anything about the device, etc.". I will not go too far into that right now except to say that you are definitely not one of them and I am going to call it Shortcutters' Disease. My father had a term for it too, lazyass-itis.

Before any reports of lives lost to Shortcutters' Disease, I want to get the appropriate info out there in the appropriate threads. I will go set to work on that this very minute before I have to be nudged again to get to work on it. (I always drag my feet about redoing things, but I do think it needs to be done and will quit procrastinating now).

LOL I like that Shortcutters Disease!

I know nobody was pointing fingers, I just wanted to say all safety tips are appreciated.

I've never tried to make anything like this, I'm not one to take chances, but having never done if before - I don't know what the hell I'm doing! 8-o

 

[kinabaloo]

Quite agree about both the on/off slde switch and using protected lithiums.

Being a curious sort I was very tempted to unwrap a lithium battery to see if I might change the shape of it. But knowing that it might burst into flames did put me off in the end!

 

[nicowolf]

I don't know if I've ever said it, but Nico, you're doing a great job! You're further in progress than I am, but I'm still learning all of this. One of these days, I'll be where you are and we can compare, maybe?

Anyway, Keep it up Nico!

-Jim

Thanks Jim. I am still learning too. I am completely lost when these guys get to talking about thermistors and resistors and capacitors and such. So far, I can solder awkwardly, I can wire a switch, and I can make a very simple circuit with no change in voltage. That Magnum mod was a bear and my personal challenge. You did that already. You are further along than you may think.

What I love about this forum is that we are all still learning and sharing and growing by helping one another.

 

[nicowolf]

I've never tried to make anything like this, I'm not one to take chances, but having never done if before - I don't know what the hell I'm doing! 8-o

None of us knew what the we were doing when we learned to walk and talk either. We just imitated what we observed, made some mistakes - some of them painful - and learned from our mistakes. We are doing the exact same thing here except we have the advantage of having language to help us share information and learn from each other's painful mistakes.

You CAN do this. I have full faith that you can. I do strongly suggest finding a Harbor Freight in your area and spending the $3 for that little extra hand soldering tool that looks like a little robot with alligator clips for hands. Without that thing, I would still be chasing and hunting down the tiny little pieces to complete my first mod. That is one frustration you can avoid from the beginning.

 

[nicowolf]

Quite agree about both the on/off slde switch and using protected lithiums.

Being a curious sort I was very tempted to unwrap a lithium battery to see if I might change the shape of it. But knowing that it might burst into flames did put me off in the end!

Thanks, Kinabaloo. That means a lot from you.

I have had a little devil on my shoulder for a while now telling me to take one of those batteries apart to see what makes it work. I just keep reminding myself that everytime I take something apart to find out how it works, I really just find out I am in way over my head and should have left well enough alone. The fear of explaining my bonehead decision to the nurses at the burn center (best one around is in the hospital where I work and those nurses are my daily customers) helps curb the impulse too.

 

[Multisync98]

Thanks Jim. I am still learning too. I am completely lost when these guys get to talking about thermistors and resistors and capacitors and such. So far, I can solder awkwardly, I can wire a switch, and I can make a very simple circuit with no change in voltage. That Magnum mod was a bear and my personal challenge. You did that already. You are further along than you may think.

What I love about this forum is that we are all still learning and sharing and growing by helping one another.

You are right, I did build a magnum, BUT, there were 3 people involved in that. Panderson, my father, and myself. My second mod is a bit tougher though.. Dropping voltage while keeping the LED is proving to be a pain in the ...!

Thank you though, Nico!

-Jim

 

[crazyhorse]

I do strongly suggest finding a Harbor Freight in your area and spending the $3 for that little extra hand soldering tool that looks like a little robot with alligator clips for hands.

This is an excellent tip. I didn't know those things are so inexpensive. It has to be much better than using hemostats and various balancing acts to do delicate soldering.

I will definitely pick one up before I try to re-solder my poorly disassembled 801 atomizer. It looks like a rain day today so I may go to town and do some shopping. Thanks!

 

[kinabaloo]

I do strongly suggest finding a Harbor Freight in your area and spending the $3 for that little extra hand soldering tool that looks like a little robot with alligator clips for hands. Without that thing, I would still be chasing and hunting down the tiny little pieces to complete my first mod. That is one frustration you can avoid from the beginning.

Another vote for the the robot hand.

It's such a pain holding three things with only two hands (part, iron and solder). With good tools, work is pleasure.

 

[Wildsky]

My goodies from Radio shack arrived today, I've already started, but now I can't find my dang dremel - I've torn this house inside out and am now ready to BITE holes for the switches and atomizer!!!!

 

[kinabaloo]

My goodies from Radio shack arrived today, I've already started, but now I can't find my dang dremel - I've torn this house inside out and am now ready to BITE holes for the switches and atomizer!!!!

Bite small at first; you can always bite bigger later.

 

[Wildsky]

Bite small at first; you can always bite bigger later.

I'll bite really hard first and then nibble till I get the right size!

 

[kinabaloo]

I'll bite really hard first and then nibble till I get the right size!

A true professional !

 

[Wildsky]

FOUND IT!