Need some suggestions for punching.

[TheJakeBailey]

Happy New Year!

So I've been on the carto train for a couple of months now. I've figured out some likes and dislikes, and now seems like a good time to ask a couple of more informed than I was before questions.

I've tried Boge, Smoke, and Ikenvape cartos. The ike's I'm not really counting, as I got one of the bad batches, and they just wouldn't wick at all. Honestly, they seem like a pain to get a hold of most of the time anyway. So of the smoke and the Boge, I seem to prefer the Boge's. Once I figured out a good method for seating them in the tank, the unflanged allow me to screw the tank further into the battery and avoid gaps. They also have a larger hole than the smok, and that seems to work better for me than the two hole Smoke's.

What I don't like, is that they have placed the hole so far up the shaft of the carto! In a standard size tank, it's just about at the midpoint, and that seems a lot higher than necessary. I tried the slotted smoke's as they also have a larger hole, but I don't know, I just like the Boge's better.

So I'm looking for a suggestion for a GOOD Carto punch. I see alot of different devices, some intended for this and some not. It doesn't really matter to me either way. I want to make a hole larger than the tiny little holes on the Smoke's, if possible. And I want to avoid chewing up the orings on my IBT as much as possible.

Thanks guys! Happy New Year!

 

[NicoHolic]

Happy New Year, Jake!

I've got a punch but have never used it. I've been happy with the Boge laser-slotted LR cartos I've gotten from SureVapes, using mostly lightly flavored DIY 50/50. I got some slotted ones from Ikenvape and sure can't tell any difference. I'm not using cartos much since getting the Sophia. Hope this helps.

 

[Baditude]

I have a carto punch tool like the one above, but I also don't use it. I don't like how most tools deform the carto from round to oval shape. This can put unnecessary pressure on the inner o-rings when you slide the carto through the end caps, causing them to wear out. I've found the two hole laser-drilled cartos to be adequate for my 50/50 e-liquids.

I've also slotted cartos with a dremel power tool. This creates sharp edges around the slots which also can damage o-rings, and leaves metal shavings in the polyfill.

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I do use a tank accessory tool, like the Slap Yo Moma from Big Daddy Vapor. The top of a carto is sharp, and can cut the o-rings when it passes over them. Using this tool eliminates this, and makes filling a tank so much easier and faster.





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Back to the original question, the best tank tool to punch cartos would be one that least deforms the carto shaft while making the hole. I don't own either of these tools (and they are expensive), but the Tiny Mite and the COV V4 have been said to not deform the cartos because they hug the shaft all along the carto and prevent deformity. Both are frequently out-of-stock.

This one is a less expensive one that looks like it may do a good job: Bullet Cartomizer Punch - Avid Vaper

 

[mobocracy]

The deformation is a big headache. I have a cheap punch tool that worked great for a while but yesterday I had to toss two cartos because they wouldn't even fit the tank. Upon closer inspection the tip of the punch appears to be blunting a little bit, causing it to need more compressive force before perforating the carto.

I'm kind of tempted to try to use the collar as a jig and use a small drill bit through the screw hole.

It'd be nice if there was a tank with with a compression collar. The tank opening could be bigger and more tolerant of mild deformation with an O-ring split collar compressing as a cap was threaded down to provide the seal. This is how a lot of plumbing and liquid-tight electrical fittings work.

 

[TheJakeBailey]

Man. A drill press and a tiny drill bit and I would be in good shape! lol Maybe I'll try the bullet, and just buy one pack of unpunched to try it out. Hmmm, we'll see. I'll report back.

 

[mobocracy]

I just ordered the Bullet and a Slap Yo' Momma tool.

The Smok 1.5 dual coil cartos with an added hole have been working great for me, although I'm tempted to try some of the 3 hole pre-drilled from Hoosier e-cigs. If I get 25 the discount actually makes them less expensive than what I've been paying for single-hole cartos and I'd avoid the whole punching process.

I wish they sold slotted Smok 1.5 dual coils someplace, but I can only find slotted Boges for more money than I want to pay.

I suppose I should probably try the single-hole cartos as-is and see how they wick. I get kind of chain-vapey in the morning, though, and I don't know if they would wick Johnson Creek 100% VG well enough. Probably worth a shot with at least one. I primed one out of the tank thinking it wasn't punched and was kind of surprised at how fast it dribbled.

 

[tw33k]

I've got a Kir Fanis carto punch on the way from GRModders It's a little more expensive but everything I've read suggests it's the best and least likely to bend the carto too much (P Busardo uses it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW6cEUFc8TU). Also, a carto tool like the Slap Yo Mamma is also a very good idea.

 

[beckdg]

Happy New Year, Jake!

I've got a punch but have never used it. I've been happy with the Boge laser-slotted LR cartos I've gotten from SureVapes, using mostly lightly flavored DIY 50/50. I got some slotted ones from Ikenvape and sure can't tell any difference. I'm not using cartos much since getting the Sophia. Hope this helps.

will that sophia atomizer fit other tanks and fill tools such as the ibtanked and slap yo mama?

 

[NicoHolic]

will that sophia atomizer fit other tanks and fill tools such as the ibtanked and slap yo mama?

Yes. I'm using an IBTanked tank and their drip tip/filler tool with the Sophia. To allow the main tube to turn easier independent of the base for juice flow control, you replace the top end cap's inner o-ring with the red silicone one supplied with the Sophia.

 

[beckdg]

Yes. I'm using an IBTanked tank and their drip tip/filler tool with the Sophia. To allow the main tube to turn easier independent of the base for juice flow control, you replace the top end cap's inner o-ring with the red silicone one supplied with the Sophia.

thanks NicoHolic. :excited:

 

[jwag1973]

I've got a Kir Fanis carto punch and IMO, it works great. I've probably punched around 20 carto's with no issues. There are many options, I personally wouldn't buy a cheap one. Good luck!

 

[mobocracy]

My Bullet punch tool and Slap Yo Momma tank tool came yesterday.

I tried them both out. The Bullet does greatly reduce the amount of carto deformation versus the cheap Smok punch. I had much less resistance putting a punched carto into the tank. This is probably due to the clamping of the carto in the punch.

The Slap Yo Momma tool helped align the carto and insert it through the top tank ring, as well as making it less obnoxious to fill the carto.

Time will tell if the punch tip on the Bullet lasts.

I did notice that a 510 carto is about the same diameter as a .357 Magnum case. If the flange wasn't so high up on the body I'd be kind of tempted to run it through a reloading size die after punching to put it back to size..