New with questions!

[SteamWhistle]

Hey everyone. Im trying to build custom vape related things. So I'm starting small with building drip tips. I just finished my first one and all went well except getting a perfectly centered hole. I don't have a lathe so it's rather difficult. Anyone know where to buy metal tubing that has a pre-drilled center at about 4mm (standard drip tip sizing). I've been all over Google, ebay, Amazon, etc with no luck. Even called some local suppliers. They acted as if I was insane asking for thick walled tubing that small.
Thanks!

 

[Justjames75]

*edited* have you tried a welding supply company or maybe an industrial supply?

 

[SteamWhistle]

*edited* have you tried a welding supply company or maybe an industrial supply?

Yeah they just laughed at me too. Seems I can't even find plastic stuff either.

 

[Justjames75]

Welcome btw, lol
Are you dedicated to making metal tips?

 

[SteamWhistle]

Are you dedicated to making metal tips?

Not totally but it's easier to make a nice clean surface vs plastics that get torn up easy and are hard to polish. Then they still don't look as nice as the cast plastics. Plus cast plastic tips are so extremely cheap to buy it wouldn't be worth my time to build them.

 

[jstjoehere]

Going to be tough to find thick metal tubing that small. A small metal lathe would be ideal for what your doing. It would also allow for more creative design.

 

[SteamWhistle]

Going to be tough to find thick metal tubing that small. A small metal lathe would be ideal for what your doing. It would also allow for more creative design.

This is true, but expensive. Cheapest one I find is harbor freight for $600. Poor reviews and would take a LOT of tips to make my $600 back. Of course I could make mods and tanks too, but they would be sloppy and poor quality. CNC lathe would be ideal. But $$$$$$$$

 

[Justjames75]

Going to be tough to find thick metal tubing that small. A small metal lathe would be ideal for what your doing. It would also allow for more creative design.

I totally agree, but not cost effective. I was looking at small hobby lathes a while back, ouch.

 

[Susan~S]

The most beautiful drip tips I have seen are made of resin, tru-stone or glass.

1. Driptipdesignz.
2. Molehill Mountain
3. Siam-Mods

 

[Justjames75]

That first link is amazing... Their wood tips are stunning to say the least.

 

[SteamWhistle]

The most beautiful drip tips I have seen are made of resin, tru-stone or glass.

I didn't think mine was too ugly for a first try and not having proper equipment. Metal is beautiful to me.

 

[Justjames75]

Can you post pics? Sure would like to see

 

[SteamWhistle]

Can you post pics? Sure would like to see

I'm trying. Have to have over 5 posts?

 

[TwoTimes]

I'm trying. Have to have over 5 posts?

It will take a few minutes for the system to update you, once you're updated you should be able to

 

[SteamWhistle]

 

[Justjames75]

That's nice.

 

[SteamWhistle]

That's nice.

Yeah it was till the hole went crooked! So frustrating

 

[jstjoehere]

This is true, but expensive. Cheapest one I find is harbor freight for $600. Poor reviews and would take a LOT of tips to make my $600 back. Of course I could make mods and tanks too, but they would be sloppy and poor quality. CNC lathe would be ideal. But $$$$$$$$

I suppose a small drill press would do it with lots of precision measuring to get exact center. Tuff item to make with metal and I completely understand the expense. Maybe stick with wooden tips?

 

[classwife]

Moved to the Modding Forum from New Members

OP has enough posts now

 

[GMayberry]

I have seen some "homemade lathes" in the past back in my R/C car days. Google "homemade lathe" and look around. I am already picturing a table vise, drill, some files, etc etc. Maybe a long shot, but worth looking into.