New vaping hardware to come...help, please.

[IntelligentDesigner]

I got a job starting next week! It's not exactly my dream job, but it's something. Guess where my paycheck is going. My new hobby...duh.

OK, well, I already have a few extra bucks to spend and I've been looking at RBAs for quite some time now. I have to get a second job to afford a Z-atty or an AC9 and I wanna make sure RBAs are for me before spending that kind of money on one. I've read almost all positive reviews of the AGA T2, at least as a starter rba, so that's what I'm gonna go for. I have a few questions first though if you guys would be so kind as to help me out.

First: vendors. Unfortunately my local vape store had a shipping delay and won't have them until next Friday. I'm impatient. Now that I actually have a few bucks coming in, I want one yesterday. Smart Vapes is out of stock. Anyone done business with Preferred Vapor? Any other places you might recommend looking?

Next: Pyrex. Those are flavor proof, right? I'm not really into cinnamon and stuff, but would still like to not have to worry about it. Also, I've read that some Pyrex tanks were not cut right and don't fit or whatever. Is that marketing mumbo jumbo? It was on a vendor's site I read that.

Turd...I mean Third: Replacement parts. What's the difference with 32, 30, or 28 AWG wire? I know the answer is thickness but what's going to give me the most massive vapor clouds? Are silica wicks the best or what are the other alternatives? The kit includes a steel mesh wick but the site also has silica available. Should I get those from somewhere else?

Last: Is there anything else I'm missing? I have an ohm meter but I've also read that I should have a micro torch and some other things. What things and what for?

Thanks in advance for the help. Cheers!

 

[Bullette the Cowdog]

Congratz on the new job!
I guess the economy is back on track. (At least for you it is. )

As for rebuildable atomizers, I know nothing. Sorry.

Vape away & hope you like your new job.

 

[shatner]

I ....ing HATE RBAs. And that's after having a very seasoned RBA user set one up for me. It was an AGA-T. I'd just stick with regular atties.

Congrats on the new job!

 

[Absintheur]

1. Money spent on a high quality rebuildable is seldom lost, resell value on attys like the AC9 stay pretty high. I think a better quality rebuildable will give a better experience, there is a reason they sell out fast when ones like the AGA are readily available.

2. Pyrex will not retain strong flavors like the plastic tanks will but a good cleaning will remove all but the strongest flavors from plastic. Biggest advantage with glass is they don't crack from juices like citrus and cinnamon.

3. The finer the wire the hotter it fires as a general rule. 28 is a pretty good all around wire. When one fires too hot you end up with burnt taste.

4. A torch makes oxidising mesh wicks easier. You can do it with a lighter but it takes a lot longer to heat the mesh up.

Look in the Genesis threads here on the forums for good how to do it videos and instructions.

 

[Scoop224]

Don't listen to us....try a Genny for yourself. Lots of people hate them, but I don't know why... Sure you have to fidget with them some, but it's an incredible vape! I guess some folks would rather pave their whole lawn than mess with keeping a mower running too...

 

[Baditude]

My experience: I used cartotanks exclusively for several months; most of them being the pyrex variety. I went with pyrex after a clearomizer I was using melted within 5 minutes of being filled with a new strawberry lemonade flavor.

I was reluctant to try a rebuildable because of the warnings that they were for advanced vapors, and because they required patience and didn't work right of the box. I like things that work right out of the box, and don't like tinkering. But I eventually got an AGA t+ with the pyrex tank. I've had it up and running for about 3 weeks now.

At first I got great vapor, in fact much, much more than I ever had with my cartotanks. But the flavor never matched the tanks. I redid my coils with different ohm ratings and that didn't help the flavor production, so last night I used a pre-rolled stainless steel mesh that I had found online. I suspected that I had over-oxidized my first mesh wick, and I really didn't want to attempt to roll another wick myself - that is the hardest part of RBA's in my opinion.

Well, that was the issue with the flavor production. The new pre-rolled wick is working great, I'm still getting fantastic vapor with the 2.0 ohm coil that I made last night. The flavor and vapor far surpasses my lovely cartotanks. My only problem now is figuring out what flavors to use in it.

You'll be able to oxydize your mesh and wire much faster with a micro torch. I'm using 30 wire, and the mesh I got is 500. I've found my Provari is invaluable to use both as an ohm meter (I bought a multimeter, have yet to need it) and to prep the coil with progressive low to higher pulses of power. It also is able to "see" shorts in the coil that I can't see by throwing me an error code. I then know to tease or prod the individual coils until the Provari is satisfied. I'm finding a 2.0 ohm coil is best for my situation, I can use the AGA with equal enjoyment on my mechanical Silver Bullet or the Provari.

 

[FogHawg]

WOW Bad, this is fantastic!!

 

[Scoop224]

Buddy!!!! That's awesome! And yes.... It's hard to figure out which flavor to put in it because they all explode with taste in an RBA! Glad you figured out what was limiting yours.... So thrilled for ya man!!

 

[Baditude]

Yes, just like when PBusardo said in his review of the Provari, "Now I get it."

This is the closest thing to smoking an analog that I've come across in vaping.

 

[IntelligentDesigner]

Alrighty. Thanks for the input.

Resell value doesn't matter since I sort of have more plans to collect parts than to resell them. I even keep old PS3 games I don't play anymore. And I'd like to make sure that an RBA is right for me before plunking down $150+ for one. Same situation for the ProVari. And some people wind up hating them like the brown bear guy above. Maybe I'll hate 'em too. The job is only part time and doesn't pay a whole lot so I really can't stand to lose $100+ as easily as $30 if the RBA simply doesn't work right or I hate it.

Definitely following you with the Pyrex vs plastic. Like I stated earlier, I don't really use much that I think would put a plastic tank in danger of warping, etching, or cracking, but Pyrex would bring peace of mind if nothing else.

Since wire is cheap, perhaps I'll get a roll of 28 and one of 30 and see which I like more. Does size make a noticeable difference in the amount of resistance?

If I can find a torch for cheap, I'll get one. Been wanting one anyway. Dunno what else I'd use it for right off the top of my head, but they're fun toys. Otherwise I'll make due with a lighter for the meantime.

Rolling mesh I don't think would be a problem. I have plenty of experience rolling jo- .....things. Are there any advantages to silica wicks besides not having to roll them?

Thanks again for the help. Now if only I knew where to get an AGA. Nobody seems to have them. Dangit, China! Get yer a$$es in gear and get 'em over here.

 

[FogHawg]

Now if only I knew where to get an AGA. Nobody seems to have them. Dangit, China! Get yer a$$es in gear and get 'em over here.

Yeah!!

 

[Baditude]

Alrighty. Thanks for the input.

Resell value doesn't matter since I sort of have more plans to collect parts than to resell them. I even keep old PS3 games I don't play anymore. And I'd like to make sure that an RBA is right for me before plunking down $150+ for one. Same situation for the ProVari. And some people wind up hating them like the brown bear guy above. Maybe I'll hate 'em too. The job is only part time and doesn't pay a whole lot so I really can't stand to lose $100+ as easily as $30 if the RBA simply doesn't work right or I hate it.

Definitely following you with the Pyrex vs plastic. Like I stated earlier, I don't really use much that I think would put a plastic tank in danger of warping, etching, or cracking, but Pyrex would bring peace of mind if nothing else.

Since wire is cheap, perhaps I'll get a roll of 28 and one of 30 and see which I like more. Does size make a noticeable difference in the amount of resistance?

If I can find a torch for cheap, I'll get one. Been wanting one anyway. Dunno what else I'd use it for right off the top of my head, but they're fun toys. Otherwise I'll make due with a lighter for the meantime.

Rolling mesh I don't think would be a problem. I have plenty of experience rolling jo- .....things. Are there any advantages to silica wicks besides not having to roll them?

Thanks again for the help. Now if only I knew where to get an AGA. Nobody seems to have them. Dangit, China! Get yer a$$es in gear and get 'em over here.

There are other inexpensive Genesis clones recommended than the AGA. Don't know which ones, my focus has been on the AGA. Search the threads or start a new one for recommendations.

 

[Scoop224]

I oxydized my wicks on the kitchen stove..... Gas flame works just fine, just slower.

Any Genesis style clone will do the job for you. I've been eyeing DID clones for a bit, and might grab one too if I keep thinking about it.

I really want to hold out for a Cobra, since the titanium thing appeals to me....so I might just stand pat with my 2 aga's for now. But if tou can't wait.....buy a couple cheap clones.

 

[tnt56]

My experience: I used cartotanks exclusively for several months; most of them being the pyrex variety. I went with pyrex after a clearomizer I was using melted within 5 minutes of being filled with a new strawberry lemonade flavor.

I was reluctant to try a rebuildable because of the warnings that they were for advanced vapors, and because they required patience and didn't work right of the box. I like things that work right out of the box, and don't like tinkering. But I eventually got an AGA t+ with the pyrex tank. I've had it up and running for about 3 weeks now.

At first I got great vapor, in fact much, much more than I ever had with my cartotanks. But the flavor never matched the tanks. I redid my coils with different ohm ratings and that didn't help the flavor production, so last night I used a pre-rolled stainless steel mesh that I had found online. I suspected that I had over-oxidized my first mesh wick, and I really didn't want to attempt to roll another wick myself - that is the hardest part of RBA's in my opinion.

Well, that was the issue with the flavor production. The new pre-rolled wick is working great, I'm still getting fantastic vapor with the 2.0 ohm coil that I made last night. The flavor and vapor far surpasses my lovely cartotanks. My only problem now is figuring out what flavors to use in it.

You'll be able to oxydize your mesh and wire much faster with a micro torch. I'm using 30 wire, and the mesh I got is 500. I've found my Provari is invaluable to use both as an ohm meter (I bought a multimeter, have yet to need it) and to prep the coil with progressive low to higher pulses of power. It also is able to "see" shorts in the coil that I can't see by throwing me an error code. I then know to tease or prod the individual coils until the Provari is satisfied. I'm finding a 2.0 ohm coil is best for my situation, I can use the AGA with equal enjoyment on my mechanical Silver Bullet or the Provari.

I know I'm late to this thread. I just got my first real RBA last night.
What amazes me is that the "TANK MASTER" stated that the RBA when done right provides a better vape, than the carto. Excuse me brother but that's kinda the way I took your post.

I never thought anything could be better than a carto/tank.
Now all I got to do is figure out what wire and mesh I want. I already got torches and such. I just need input. "FIVE ALIVE NEEDS INPUT". 70PG/30VG. wants between 1.7 and 2.0 ohms. Don't take it wrong Brother. I just trust your judgement when it comes to a juice delivery device.

 

[Scoop224]

I'll jump in here for a second. If you are looking for between 1.7-2.0 ohms then the thinner kanthal is what you need. Likely 32awg. With a coil that wraps your wick 4-5 times. The larger gauges (28-30) will give you resistances well under what youre wanting.

 

[IntelligentDesigner]

I'll jump in here for a second. If you are looking for between 1.7-2.0 ohms then the thinner kanthal is what you need. Likely 32awg. With a coil that wraps your wick 4-5 times. The larger gauges (28-30) will give you resistances well under what youre wanting.

I kinda sorta figured after thinking about it for a bit that the thicker wire would give less resistance. I went with 30 AWG in order to stay in the middle range. I think I need at least 1.5 ohms or the LavaTube will register a short. So more loops = more resistance? Is that the determining factor?

I'm still a bit fuzzy on the whole low vs high resistance and what it means to the vape; and I imagine ideally it varies with the liquid. I reckon I'm gonna have to play around with it and see what works and what doesn't and what burns.

 

[Scoop224]

I kinda sorta figured after thinking about it for a bit that the thicker wire would give less resistance. I went with 30 AWG in order to stay in the middle range. I think I need at least 1.5 ohms or the LavaTube will register a short. So more loops = more resistance? Is that the determining factor?

I'm still a bit fuzzy on the whole low vs high resistance and what it means to the vape; and I imagine ideally it varies with the liquid. I reckon I'm gonna have to play around with it and see what works and what doesn't and what burns.

I'm by no means an expert, or even all that experienced... But I've made a half dozen coils so far this week and I'm getting 1.4 ohm coils from a 5/4 wrap of 30awg lately.
The same wrap of 34awg puts me up around 2.5ohms.
Havent tried 28 yet...