need help with kayfun lite

[mudkippers]

Ordered a clone off fasttech a month ago, came in yesterday. My first look at it was, it seems a lot more smaller in person but that's fine. I spent an hour trying to wrap a kanthal wire and I couldn't. Problem being the screws they sent me were awful and weren't able to hold the wire down properly.

I'm not allowed to post links but the screws they sent me were really small, but I ordered this kit on Ebay for svoemesto Lite because that's the clone I got off of fasttech.

Are those screws going to fit it? The pictures make the screws out to be a lot bigger. It would be a lot easier if I could post links lol

 

[Despraci]

They may and should. But there's real knowing till you get them and try them out.

 

[Gargoyle]

The screws are tiny. I have found the best way to do it is wrap the Kanthal "around" the screw in the same direction the screw turns when you tighten it. Then when you tighten the screw you make it tight. But not Godzilla tight. That normally works for me. Also the clone I got came with a screwdriver that fits the screws perfectly.

And yes… They are a lot smaller in person than what you would imagine from the videos and pictures of them.

 

[mudkippers]

Clone
imgurDOTcom/a/SIDcE#0

Kayfun Kit
ebayDOTcom/itm/like/360874744188?lpid=82

Clone I ordered
fasttechDOTcom/products/1411/10006473/1692100

 

[mudkippers]

The screws are tiny. I have found the best way to do it is wrap the Kanthal "around" the screw in the same direction the screw turns when you tighten it. Then when you tighten the screw you make it tight. But not Godzilla tight. That normally works for me. Also the clone I got came with a screwdriver that fits the screws perfectly.

And yes… They are a lot smaller in person than what you would imagine from the videos and pictures of them.

Yeah I tried doing that for an hour. I would move the wire in the opposite direction and try and screw it on but the wire kept slipping out. Read comments about the screws being bad so maybe the screws with the caps at the top will be easier to work with.

 

[OD4ME]

I have the KF 3.1 ES clone from fasttech and I ended up using a 30awg wire just because the 28awg wont get underneath the screw heads. IIRC these screws are M1.6 (1.6mm metric threads)

 

[MikeMills]

The one I got from FT was filthy. Machine debris in all the threads, especially the deck.

If you take all the screws out and wash everything it helps a little.

 

[epicdoom]

I Also wrap completely around the screws I go in opposite direction though, What can I say I'm Bass Ackwards. you need to keep the mandrel in the coil for leverage take the lead and wrap it tightly around the post screw and hold the wire snug in place while you tighten the screw down takes a little dexterity to hold the coil wire and atomizer with on hand but once you figure out how works best for you you'll be tossing coils on it in a couple minutes time. It can be done I have used 30, 28 and 26g wire on the Kayfun

 

[Noble Gas]

I was a bit shocked when I first started rebuilding because all the video closeups made the build deck look so big and easy to navigate. Then you get in there and it's like, what, did they film that with an electron miscroscope?! What the heck man?! But you get used to it. Or, like me, you get a big gooseneck magnifying glass with a powerful LED light on it.

 

[Blackboar]

The Kayfun's connection screw are tiny, I find it easier to trap if I don't wrap the wire around the screw, but just make a "L" shaped bend, then tightening the connection screw while I apply a bit of pressure to the L bend to make sure it's against the screw.

What gauge kanthal are you using? I typically use 28 gauge on mine, but I would imagine thicker wire having issues staying connected.

If your clone is a one to one, the screws you ordered from eBay should fit it.

 

[SupahVapah]

Yeah I tried doing that for an hour. I would move the wire in the opposite direction and try and screw it on but the wire kept slipping out. Read comments about the screws being bad so maybe the screws with the caps at the top will be easier to work with.

What type of kanthol are you using?
Are you using a special coil (i.e. a double 28g agro or a clapson coil)?

As these two points can make a difference.

I've heard really bad things about the kayfun clones from Fasttech.

 

[mudkippers]

The Kayfun's connection screw are tiny, I find it easier to trap if I don't wrap the wire around the screw, but just make a "L" shaped bend, then tightening the connection screw while I apply a bit of pressure to the L bend to make sure it's against the screw.

What gauge kanthal are you using? I typically use 28 gauge on mine, but I would imagine thicker wire having issues staying connected.

If your clone is a one to one, the screws you ordered from eBay should fit it.

Thanks. All I needed to know. Screws on Amazon have a cap top which should be a lot easier to screw down

What type of kanthol are you using?
Are you using a special coil (i.e. a double 28g agro or a clapson coil)?

As these two points can make a difference.

I've heard really bad things about the kayfun clones from Fasttech.

Kanthal Wire 28 Gauge - 100 FT 0.61 oz Series A-1 Resistance AWG

Only bad things I've read were the shipping times (took me a month to get it), besides that I just went by the reviews.

 

[Singaw]

When I first held the KFL in my hands and looked at where they expected me to build a coil I thought they had to be kidding. At first it may seem like a daunting task but it does actually get quite easy with time. I am fifty years old, 80% blind in one eye and I think born with ten thumbs but I can wrap, mount and wick a KFL coil in about 5 minutes in poor light. If I can give one tip though is to keep a towel under your building platform to catch those tiny screws because you will drop and lose them eventually.

 

[D. Waterhouse]

I was a bit shocked when I first started rebuilding because all the video closeups made the build deck look so big and easy to navigate. Then you get in there and it's like, what, did they film that with an electron miscroscope?! What the heck man?! But you get used to it. Or, like me, you get a big gooseneck magnifying glass with a powerful LED light on it.

SE MH1047L Illuminated Multipower LED Binohead Magnifier I think these are less embarrassing than reading glasses.

 

[epicdoom]

I never take the screws out but that's damn good advice singaw. I love building on the Kayfun IMO its the easiest off all my RBA'a My first one ever I looked at those screws and was like well this is gonna be fun, I started looking for tiny washers to capture the wire with then figured give it a shot nothing to loose, Im in the same boat as you brother 48 years old eyes failing me and dexterity going just as fast. I use a head mounted magnifier.

 

[Redjah]

I agree the screws are small. Maddeningly small. I've found that wrapping the wire all the way around is the way to go. Right now I'm vaping on a KFL clone (not FT) that's got a .48 ohm microcoil made from 6 wraps of 24g nichrome around a 3/32 drill bit.

 

[emily n portland]

I've never tried wrapping all the way around, hmmm....but what I do (would be easier w/pictures, but...)

Is leave long legs, leave screwdriver in coil, mount where I want it, wrap leg around screw and then around the opposite side of the screwdriver holding the coil pulling tight.
Repeat on other side...everything is snug as a bug before I even tighten the screws.
Tighten screws, unwrap legs from screwdriver and snip.

I waste a few extra inches, but kanthal's cheap and my patience is short.

 

[Twicehorn]

I have the same problem with an ft Russian 91. Is this a clone-specific problem or was I just fooled by the videos like everyone else?

 

[SupahVapah]

Thanks. All I needed to know. Screws on Amazon have a cap top which should be a lot easier to screw down


Kanthal Wire 28 Gauge - 100 FT 0.61 oz Series A-1 Resistance AWG

Only bad things I've read were the shipping times (took me a month to get it), besides that I just went by the reviews.

yea that shouldn't be causing any issues. I know the Kayfun (and it's clones work fine with any single coils but mine doesn't like things like the Clapton or double aggro)

I guess keep us posted...if the new screws don't work it may take you going to a 30 or 32 guage to start with until you get used to the finicky nature of those posts