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OB1J3D1

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Nov 2, 2010
329
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Earth
All,

I have ordered my first mechanical, a Nemesis clone. I am currently using a VAMO and will be venturing into unregulated vaping. After much research, reading and youtubing I am, well... a bit concerned.

I own an AW IMR 185650 button top and 2 AW IMR 18350 button top batteries. I rarely use the 18650 because I like the size of the 18350 batteries. I use a Nitecore charger.

For this mechanical, I was planning on getting a Patriot for RDA and a Kanger Protank II for convenience and long hauls. I also have a BCC iSmoka but hear that the Protank II is better. I'm looking to ditch my cartos and tanks.

I am very interested in building my own coils - I've tried a few and had mediocre success. I would like to try mini/micro/nano coils. I have access to some wick but would like to try cotton. I don't think I'm ready to go sub ohm and not sure if I ever would want to.

My main reasons for going mechanical are size, form factor, elegance, and an upgrade to my vaping experience.

With all of this in mind, and looking to complete my purchases for my new setup, I have some questions...

1. Batteries - Can I use my AW IMR 18350s? Do I have to move up to the 18490 or 18500? I should probably pick up a couple more. I'd love to stay with the 18350 size which generally gets me through a day with my VAMO. But, not sure if they'll preform the same on the Nemesis. I also want to be sure I am safe.

2. Atties - I only hear good things about the Patriot but it is a bit expensive (i know there are more expensive RDA's out there) Anything in the same class as the Nimbus or Patriot that's 22mm? I'm thinking of going dual coil and would like the versatility of 3 posts with holes. I also hear good things about the Kanger Protank II especially the ability to rebuild them. Thoughts?

3. Coils - I am thinking 28g Kanther and cotton. I will probably be looking for my sweet spot in terms of ohms. Any pointers? I've watched lots of videos and feel confident that I can tell the difference between those who are really showing me how to do something well and those who are a bit dangerous. I welcome any and all advice and words of wisdom.

4. Kicks and Fuses - Do I need one or both?

Thanks so much in advance!
 

niczgreat

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 5, 2009
2,500
2,141
Chino California
All,

I have ordered my first mechanical, a Nemesis clone. I am currently using a VAMO and will be venturing into unregulated vaping. After much research, reading and youtubing I am, well... a bit concerned.

I own an AW IMR 185650 button top and 2 AW IMR 18350 button top batteries. I rarely use the 18650 because I like the size of the 18350 batteries. I use a Nitecore charger.

For this mechanical, I was planning on getting a Patriot for RDA and a Kanger Protank II for convenience and long hauls. I also have a BCC iSmoka but hear that the Protank II is better. I'm looking to ditch my cartos and tanks.

I am very interested in building my own coils - I've tried a few and had mediocre success. I would like to try mini/micro/nano coils. I have access to some wick but would like to try cotton. I don't think I'm ready to go sub ohm and not sure if I ever would want to.

My main reasons for going mechanical are size, form factor, elegance, and an upgrade to my vaping experience.

With all of this in mind, and looking to complete my purchases for my new setup, I have some questions...

1. Batteries - Can I use my AW IMR 18350s? Do I have to move up to the 18490 or 18500? I should probably pick up a couple more. I'd love to stay with the 18350 size which generally gets me through a day with my VAMO. But, not sure if they'll preform the same on the Nemesis. I also want to be sure I am safe.

2. Atties - I only hear good things about the Patriot but it is a bit expensive (i know there are more expensive RDA's out there) Anything in the same class as the Nimbus or Patriot that's 22mm? I'm thinking of going dual coil and would like the versatility of 3 posts with holes. I also hear good things about the Kanger Protank II especially the ability to rebuild them. Thoughts?

3. Coils - I am thinking 28g Kanther and cotton. I will probably be looking for my sweet spot in terms of ohms. Any pointers? I've watched lots of videos and feel confident that I can tell the difference between those who are really showing me how to do something well and those who are a bit dangerous. I welcome any and all advice and words of wisdom.

4. Kicks and Fuses - Do I need one or both?

Thanks so much in advance!
1. If you aren't doing Sub Ohm Vaping then the AW IMR 18350 is a safe choice. I see plenty of people doing sub ohm on the AW 18350 without issue. So above 1 Ohm the 18350 will do it standing on it's head. You may find though that the batteries won't last as long as you'd like so depending on your vaping habit, you'll probably end up moving higher in Mah.
2. Atties- I'm out of the loop on those. I'm into bottom feeding and the Reomizer V2 rocks, but isn't suitable for your setup
3. Coils, you can get very inexpensive Kanthal A1 at Temco, since I'm not familiar with your RBA I can't make any recommendations except that the lower the Gauge, the smoother the vape. My subjective opinion.
4. Kick defeats the idea of a mechanical, fuses probably unnecessary. Before you put the RBA on to your mechanical just put it in the Vamos and the Vamos would detect a short. If it gives you piece of mind by all means use a fuse.
 

Scarey

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Verified Member
Sep 14, 2013
641
597
Lafayette, IN, USA
1. Your AW IMR 18350's will be just fine. I know off hand that on the 700mah, you shouldn't go under.7ohms if you want to stay under the 6amp continuous discharge rate.

2./3. Not sure on the RDA's you mentioned, but the protanks are easy to recoil. You throw 10 wraps of 28g kanthal on a 1/16 drill bit, squeeze the coild together with tweezers, torch it to temper it into shape. then it'll be the right size to fit in a protank head, and come in around 1.5 ohms. You can get the kanthal at lighting vapes for even less than temco sells it, but you are welcome to check that out for yourself. As for cotton, I tried gauze, but I don't like it very much after a few rounds with it. I'm testing out
white Peaches and Cream brand yarn from Walmart, and having a good time with it so far, in a .9ohm rda coil on my Magneto.

A fuse couldn't hurt, I suppose. Nothing wrong with an extra layer of protection after pre-testing. A kick seems kind of pointless, since you have a VAMO.
 

degnr8

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Aug 29, 2009
1,281
1,311
Aberdeen,WA,U.S.A
Looks like you've gotten some good info here, the only thing I have to add is that if you're looking for a good atty for dual coils (I'm assuming that's what you were getting at with three posts) I've heard good things about the trident. Haven't had a chance to use it myself though. Oh, and instead of an RDA and a tank, why not get something like the IGO W that combines both in one or better yet, a bottom feeder? I bought a Vmod to check it out and my only regret is I didn't just spring for the Reo to begin with. Oh well, I'll have both.
 
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OB1J3D1

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Nov 2, 2010
329
41
Earth
1. If you aren't doing Sub Ohm Vaping then the AW IMR 18350 is a safe choice. I see plenty of people doing sub ohm on the AW 18350 without issue. So above 1 Ohm the 18350 will do it standing on it's head. You may find though that the batteries won't last as long as you'd like so depending on your vaping habit, you'll probably end up moving higher in Mah.
2. Atties- I'm out of the loop on those. I'm into bottom feeding and the Reomizer V2 rocks, but isn't suitable for your setup
3. Coils, you can get very inexpensive Kanthal A1 at Temco, since I'm not familiar with your RBA I can't make any recommendations except that the lower the Gauge, the smoother the vape. My subjective opinion.
4. Kick defeats the idea of a mechanical, fuses probably unnecessary. Before you put the RBA on to your mechanical just put it in the Vamos and the Vamos would detect a short. If it gives you piece of mind by all means use a fuse.

Thanks tomzgreat!
 

OB1J3D1

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Nov 2, 2010
329
41
Earth
1. Your AW IMR 18350's will be just fine. I know off hand that on the 700mah, you shouldn't go under.7ohms if you want to stay under the 6amp continuous discharge rate.

Excellent!!!

2./3. Not sure on the RDA's you mentioned, but the protanks are easy to recoil. You throw 10 wraps of 28g kanthal on a 1/16 drill bit, squeeze the coild together with tweezers, torch it to temper it into shape. then it'll be the right size to fit in a protank head, and come in around 1.5 ohms. You can get the kanthal at lighting vapes for even less than temco sells it, but you are welcome to check that out for yourself. As for cotton, I tried gauze, but I don't like it very much after a few rounds with it. I'm testing out
white Peaches and Cream brand yarn from Walmart, and having a good time with it so far, in a .9ohm rda coil on my Magneto.

I think I'm headed in the same direction as you. After lots of reading though I hear the sterile rolled cotton for wounds not for makeup from like cvs or walgreens is the way to go. No boiling. I foresee a lot of tinkering in my near future.

A fuse couldn't hurt, I suppose. Nothing wrong with an extra layer of protection after pre-testing. A kick seems kind of pointless, since you have a VAMO.

Thanks Scarey!
 

Ryedan

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 31, 2012
12,869
19,652
Ontario, Canada
You've got some great advice here. One thing I wanted to add is that if you are vaping at more than about 0.9 ohms you can use a 2 cent fuse without it affecting your vape. It will just make it safer because it will shut your PV down if you have a short. I would get the kind that resets itself after activation. No down side to doing this and it's safer. IMO that's a win-win situation :thumb:
 

OB1J3D1

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Nov 2, 2010
329
41
Earth
You've got some great advice here. One thing I wanted to add is that if you are vaping at more than about 0.9 ohms you can use a 2 cent fuse without it affecting your vape. It will just make it safer because it will shut your PV down if you have a short. I would get the kind that resets itself after activation. No down side to doing this and it's safer. IMO that's a win-win situation :thumb:

Can you link me to this 2 cent fuse?
 

gotch23

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jan 27, 2011
501
644
Fukuoka, Japan
All,

I have ordered my first mechanical, a Nemesis clone. I am currently using a VAMO and will be venturing into unregulated vaping. After much research, reading and youtubing I am, well... a bit concerned.

I own an AW IMR 185650 button top and 2 AW IMR 18350 button top batteries. I rarely use the 18650 because I like the size of the 18350 batteries. I use a Nitecore charger.

For this mechanical, I was planning on getting a Patriot for RDA and a Kanger Protank II for convenience and long hauls. I also have a BCC iSmoka but hear that the Protank II is better. I'm looking to ditch my cartos and tanks.

I am very interested in building my own coils - I've tried a few and had mediocre success. I would like to try mini/micro/nano coils. I have access to some wick but would like to try cotton. I don't think I'm ready to go sub ohm and not sure if I ever would want to.

My main reasons for going mechanical are size, form factor, elegance, and an upgrade to my vaping experience.

With all of this in mind, and looking to complete my purchases for my new setup, I have some questions...

1. Batteries - Can I use my AW IMR 18350s? Do I have to move up to the 18490 or 18500? I should probably pick up a couple more. I'd love to stay with the 18350 size which generally gets me through a day with my VAMO. But, not sure if they'll preform the same on the Nemesis. I also want to be sure I am safe.

2. Atties - I only hear good things about the Patriot but it is a bit expensive (i know there are more expensive RDA's out there) Anything in the same class as the Nimbus or Patriot that's 22mm? I'm thinking of going dual coil and would like the versatility of 3 posts with holes. I also hear good things about the Kanger Protank II especially the ability to rebuild them. Thoughts?

3. Coils - I am thinking 28g Kanther and cotton. I will probably be looking for my sweet spot in terms of ohms. Any pointers? I've watched lots of videos and feel confident that I can tell the difference between those who are really showing me how to do something well and those who are a bit dangerous. I welcome any and all advice and words of wisdom.

4. Kicks and Fuses - Do I need one or both?

Thanks so much in advance!

Hi OB,

1. Yes... as it has been said... above 1 ohm should be super-safe. However... the voltage drop will be fast and furious, making for an inconsistent vape. Also a high danger of over-discharging your batteries. 18650 is really the way to go with high-performance RBAs imo.

2. Don't have the Patriot, but that is what i would buy myself, was i to get a new RDA. Protank II rebuild... doable, but certainly not a replacement/alternative to a good RBA. If you want cheap i'd go with a IGO-W with drilled-out holes. I really like the bottom-coil RTAs a la Kayfun... i'd say they are the RBA equivalent to the Protanks etc... just that much better.

3. 28 gauge kanthal is perfect for making micro-coils... Remember to boil off your cotton thouroughly to get rid of nasty taste.

4. Kick2... i like it. I'm really a VV/Provari guy... i like the consistency it gives, so i mostly use a kick2 in my mechanicals as well. Only when i go cloud-chasing on rare occasions the kick is not in use. Else... a fuse would be a good idea me thinks. Don't have one myself but i think i'll be getting the one from atmizoo.
 
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