Use nothing but cartos on Grand, 2 years. Thinking of trying rba's. 2 questions- 1- Chalice or Hornet or other? 2- Since I have been happy with cartos, 1.7 ohm, and the filler what kind of wicking material would be close to what is in cartos?? Thanks for help.
Need help going to RBA'S
- Thread starter hubseven
- Start date
- th_trl_thread_readers 0
- Status
It is hard to beat the A7 for a first rba. Solid ss construction, easy to set up, generous drip well makes it pretty squonk friendly for the new rba user. easily had for around 20 bucks and if you decide you love RBAs then it makes a fine backup. Downside is the size of it, and it is gurgly.
For the long haul, you can not beat a chalice but you also probably not going to be able to find/get a chalice for several weeks to months. The ERA is easier to come by bye there are production issues there as well right now. Best bet on it is the classifieds. The Hornet is a fine RBA as wel, same construction as the ERAl and is easy to get from indy vapor shop. It may be your best option as it holds it's value so is easy to resell if you do not like it. Also made of SS or aluminum, I recommend the stainless steel version personally.
As to material, it really is going be personal taste and depend on what flavor/brand of juice you like. Some juices taste better with cotton, some with silica etc. I would get some 2.5mm silica wick, some cotton balls, cotton embroidery thread and try them all out. Most likely you will love one of them. Wire is the last option and most prefer either 32g Kanthal A1 or 30g Kanthal A1. I like the 30 myself and find it easier to work with and it lasts longer.
Lots of threads here on the details but hopefully that helps you get going.
For the long haul, you can not beat a chalice but you also probably not going to be able to find/get a chalice for several weeks to months. The ERA is easier to come by bye there are production issues there as well right now. Best bet on it is the classifieds. The Hornet is a fine RBA as wel, same construction as the ERAl and is easy to get from indy vapor shop. It may be your best option as it holds it's value so is easy to resell if you do not like it. Also made of SS or aluminum, I recommend the stainless steel version personally.
As to material, it really is going be personal taste and depend on what flavor/brand of juice you like. Some juices taste better with cotton, some with silica etc. I would get some 2.5mm silica wick, some cotton balls, cotton embroidery thread and try them all out. Most likely you will love one of them. Wire is the last option and most prefer either 32g Kanthal A1 or 30g Kanthal A1. I like the 30 myself and find it easier to work with and it lasts longer.
Lots of threads here on the details but hopefully that helps you get going.
Last edited:
Good luck finding a Chalice. If you find one, it's mine. I lost it, so please return. Thanks.
Seriously, the maker told me a few days ago it would be 3 or 4 months before they make another batch. So I'm out on those. If you have a Grand then you could use the ERA or Hornet. I just ordered my first ERA. Shorter than the Hornet but won't fit on the smallest Reos from what I understand.
I wanted to start out with cheaper RBA's in case I screwed them up or didn't like them, or felt they weren't worth the effort. The A7 is dirt cheap (~$19) and works for me. Rob probably still has some reomizers ($38), which I like. PM him and I bet he'd sell you one.
To me, no wicking material is like cartos. More like either atomizers or those found in tanks. I hate tanks. Leaky bastids. Popular wick materials are silica, stainless steel mesh (available from ecig vendors), cotton (you can find DMC No5 thread [white] at Hobby Lobby or Michael's type stores) or bamboo embroidery thread, and plain old cotton balls from the drug store. I have most recently tried the cotton balls, work well. I don't care for the silica as it supposedly can shed tiny fibers that might get into your lungs. I'd say the threads or the cotton balls are most like cartos. Note that the threads do alter the taste of your juice a little. I did not find it objectionable.
You'll like the RBA's. MUCH more flavor than any carto I've ever used. And I was an exclusively carto user. Look in the "sticky" section for a tutorial on making your coil/wick. I watched a lot of videos but the tutorial w/ pictures helped me more than anything. I needed some sort of magnification to efficiently work with the tiny wire and parts, but I'm an old geezer.
Seriously, the maker told me a few days ago it would be 3 or 4 months before they make another batch. So I'm out on those. If you have a Grand then you could use the ERA or Hornet. I just ordered my first ERA. Shorter than the Hornet but won't fit on the smallest Reos from what I understand.
I wanted to start out with cheaper RBA's in case I screwed them up or didn't like them, or felt they weren't worth the effort. The A7 is dirt cheap (~$19) and works for me. Rob probably still has some reomizers ($38), which I like. PM him and I bet he'd sell you one.
To me, no wicking material is like cartos. More like either atomizers or those found in tanks. I hate tanks. Leaky bastids. Popular wick materials are silica, stainless steel mesh (available from ecig vendors), cotton (you can find DMC No5 thread [white] at Hobby Lobby or Michael's type stores) or bamboo embroidery thread, and plain old cotton balls from the drug store. I have most recently tried the cotton balls, work well. I don't care for the silica as it supposedly can shed tiny fibers that might get into your lungs. I'd say the threads or the cotton balls are most like cartos. Note that the threads do alter the taste of your juice a little. I did not find it objectionable.
You'll like the RBA's. MUCH more flavor than any carto I've ever used. And I was an exclusively carto user. Look in the "sticky" section for a tutorial on making your coil/wick. I watched a lot of videos but the tutorial w/ pictures helped me more than anything. I needed some sort of magnification to efficiently work with the tiny wire and parts, but I'm an old geezer.
I will be the first to admit I know nothing firsthand about RBA's but I too have been looking around and the AGA-T+ looks pretty nice/ easy-ish. I am also interested in getting into the RBA scene and that's what I've been looking at. Gonna check out some of the others you guys have listed. Thanks for asking Hubseven, and thanks for the input Ratman!
Hey Codemonkey.
The AGA-T is not a bottom feeder, so you won't get the benefit of the Reo's feed system. I gave up on the tank styles, every one I tried leaked and/or didn't wick well. I haven't tried this model though...
The AGA-T is not a bottom feeder, so you won't get the benefit of the Reo's feed system. I gave up on the tank styles, every one I tried leaked and/or didn't wick well. I haven't tried this model though...
I have experience with these 2, so i can only offer opinions on them:
Hornet is a great RBA. About $80 shipped. Very easy to set up and a fantastic vape. Blows a 1.7 supershort carto off the field. Very solid construction and no known shorting issues.
Chalice is even better, but not only hard to get, but i think they are like $160 or more when they are available? Worth every penny in my opinion.
I prefer sterile rolled cotton for wicks. You can twist up a wick in minutes, slide it thru your coil and be gettin after it again in no time.
Have no fear. You can RB As.
Shot thru cyberspace with my iGun
Hornet is a great RBA. About $80 shipped. Very easy to set up and a fantastic vape. Blows a 1.7 supershort carto off the field. Very solid construction and no known shorting issues.
Chalice is even better, but not only hard to get, but i think they are like $160 or more when they are available? Worth every penny in my opinion.
I prefer sterile rolled cotton for wicks. You can twist up a wick in minutes, slide it thru your coil and be gettin after it again in no time.
Have no fear. You can RB As.
Shot thru cyberspace with my iGun
i'm super new to the RBA's and went with the Reomizer.
I'm pleased as could be, i'm glad i didn't wait to go with the RBA. Huge flavor and smoother delivery than a carto.
I should add i'm super new to the whole vape thing....
I'm pleased as could be, i'm glad i didn't wait to go with the RBA. Huge flavor and smoother delivery than a carto.
I should add i'm super new to the whole vape thing....
Are their video tutorials anywhere for making these cotton ball wicks? Thanks.
Using rolled cotton, You simply grab a small (like 1/4"wide x 1" long) piece of cotton and twist it between your fingers until it is the right thickness and length. You want it to slip thru the coil with little resistance. i sometimes have to back it out and twist some more to get the thickness right. I find that it helps to have a moist paper towel on hand to keep my twisting fingers moist. Not gonna be licking my fingers and transferring it to my wick.
Once it is the right size and length( about 1-1/2" or more long), moisten your fingers and twist one end so it is a very long point. Trim the very end so no stray fibers can get caught on your coil, insert thru your coil, then wrap around the post and back under the coil. Tweezers help grab the tip. Then trim it. In the "hornet has landed thread" there are some pix of finished rolled cotton wicks.
I asked a lot of questions first and once you try it you will see how elementary it is.
Shot thru cyberspace with my iGun
- Status
