Need help getting started please...

[James C]

I'm thinking of getting a rebuidable atty, that's good for beginners. I was looking at the fast tech kayfun lite clone. Any suggestions please?

Also what do I need to get started, I think fast tech has 2mm silica but no kanthal. Where can I get kanthal or silica cheap? What gauge should I get? Any help would be appreciated!

Thinking of rebuildable of evod coils, the Atty(maybe the rocket clone or kayfun lite clone, etc.) And a kanger t2? I'm obviously a total newb, so please help guys! Thanks!

 

[jffvera]

You could get an RSST, it's about $20 online and if you have any decent shops in your area they probably sell it for $25ish.

Your local shops may also sell kanthal and wick by the foot. The shop I go to sells kanthal for $.20 a foot, and silica for $.40 a foot.

I'd get 28 or 30 gauge. To rebuild evod heads I use 32 gauge.

 

[CloudZ]

I wouldn't recommend a genesis style RBA like the RSST to any newbie. They can be difficult and frustrating to build on, especially with mesh. Here is why: hotspots, shorts, oxidizing a metal wick, having to add a delicate silica sheath to avoid these issues, darkening juice which ruins the flavor, fighting against gravity with vertical wicking and needing to tilt, dealing with an expensive and fragile hard ceramic wick to avoid all other issues, losing heat to the solid wick for a slower response, etc. And what do you get for all the trouble? Very clean and intense flavor after everything breaks in and before it gets gunked up, which can be a window of only a couple tanks full of juice. I say this as I vape my RSST with a ss cable wick sheathed in ekowool which works very well for some of my juices... That is until the tank gets below 1/4, then I have to tilt.

IMO these types of attys are on the way out as the kayfun types are on the way in. I'd get something that isn't a known PITA.

 

[CloudZ]

Now, if you are experienced in building everything else, would like to experience a RBA style that was important to the evolution of vaping, or enjoy a challenge and want to see if you can get that elusive spectacular vape that the diehards rave about, by all means go for a genny. My problem is that I used to come in here and try to help out newbies trying to get their mesh wick to stop shorting out or whatever, but there are so many variables and building skill levels that it is such a hassle to troubleshoot these problems. The only reason they bought one is because they heard they were the best. At one time, that may have been true. Nowadays I just don't think it is worth the trouble. Maybe a new user will magically get theirs working with very little effort and they will love it, but that seems rare.

Sorry about the ranting, and it isn't personally directed at anyone who recommends them. I just want to get my opinion out there so newbie readers can think twice and make an informed decision. They are generally difficult, you will probably struggle with them, and there are much much easier options out there that vape just as good and right now the cheaper clones of the kayfun style cost about the same, maybe a little more.

 

[CloudZ]

You could get an RSST, it's about $20 online and if you have any decent shops in your area they probably sell it for $25ish.

Your local shops may also sell kanthal and wick by the foot. The shop I go to sells kanthal for $.20 a foot, and silica for $.40 a foot.

I'd get 28 or 30 gauge. To rebuild evod heads I use 32 gauge.

Your local shop is very cheap. In areas where vaping is not solidly established yet, I would expect to pay a lot more for all that stuff. 28 gauge is great for rebuildables in general, 32 gauge is great for normal coils in clearomizers, and 30 gauge is kind of in the middle of those two.

 

[James C]

Thanks guys. Cloudz, do you suggest getting 30 gauge if I want to do both? I dont know how much length I should get either... not gonna go crazy. Is it safe to assume to get around half the length of kanthal to silica?

Also, what mod do you guys suggest for a first timer? Thanks again.

 

[DasBluCig]

Temco in Fremont, CA sells 100' spools of kanthal in various gauges for ~$6 each.....with free shipping!!
I'm told shipping is a bit faster if you order from Temco's eBay site.....Good luck!
Happy (vaping) Trails!

 

[WattWick]

CloudZ; I mean no disrespect, but I do think you are over-dramatizing the agony and obsolescence of being a gennie user.

It does take some trial and error to learn how to set up one properly. I struggled at first with my Aga T2s. Some say the RSST is much easier to get right. I wouldn't know as I've never tried one. I can say that I find the Ikarus and Kraken much easier to get right compared to the Agas, tho. My conclusion; it takes some patience to learn how to set up gennies. Some more than others.

I got a Kayfun Lite. I still very much prefer my gennies with mesh wicks. Both for convenience of setup and flavor. It's like riding a bike. Once you get it, you got it. I don't mess about. I just set them up and go. Very very low maintenance compared to any fiber wick vacuum feeder.

My point is; it's very much personal preference. Some prefer gennies, some prefer vacuum feeders. I'd say try both. Who am I kidding... eventually James will wonder how the grass is on the other side of the fence anyway

 

[CloudZ]

CloudZ; I mean no disrespect, but I do think you are over-dramatizing the agony and obsolescence of being a gennie user.

I might be, and perhaps I am just bad at setting them up for some reason. But I do know that there are a lot of posts from struggling users virtually every day on this forum trying to fix these common genny problems. Something I believe to be true is that a new rebuilder should not start on a genny. It will usually be too much to learn all at once just to get a decent vape. I don't doubt that there are many users who have it totally figured out and get an awesome vape out of them every time (you are one of them). I would say my over dramatization comes from watching several videos and trying to build the RSST dozens of times with inconsistent results and never anything that is really really good (the ekowool sleeved cable is close). I'm good at building everything else and it seems that mesh wick gennys are on another level entirely.

 

[CloudZ]

Thanks guys. Cloudz, do you suggest getting 30 gauge if I want to do both? I dont know how much length I should get either... not gonna go crazy. Is it safe to assume to get around half the length of kanthal to silica?

Also, what mod do you guys suggest for a first timer? Thanks again.

What wire you get depends on your mod. IMO you should start with a variable wattage mod and get some 32 gauge for higher resistance coils then just turn up the power if needed. Pick up some 30 gauge if you want to try microcoils. 28 gauge if you do some research and learn how to use a mech safely. Just buy at least 10 feet of wire, it will still last a long time. eBay or Temco (or Temco on eBay) are good places to get a good deal on wire.

 

[James C]

Where do you guys buy your silica from? So far fast tech seems the cheapest.

 

[WattWick]

I might be, and perhaps I am just bad at setting them up for some reason. But I do know that there are a lot of posts from struggling users virtually every day on this forum trying to fix these common genny problems. Something I believe to be true is that a new rebuilder should not start on a genny. It will usually be too much to learn all at once just to get a decent vape. I don't doubt that there are many users who have it totally figured out and get an awesome vape out of them every time (you are one of them). I would say my over dramatization comes from watching several videos and trying to build the RSST dozens of times with inconsistent results and never anything that is really really good (the ekowool sleeved cable is close). I'm good at building everything else and it seems that mesh wick gennys are on another level entirely.

Have to agree I wouldn't recommend it as a first first try at rebuilding anything. I'll be the first to admit I struggled a lot at first. Also have to admit I'm a bit defensive about gennies. I like the KFL, but I love my gennies.