Newb looking to start building...help!

[BakedDragon42]

So I've been vaping for almost a year now and absolutely love it, I've recently completely stopped analogs and am feeling amazing. But I want to move up in the vaping world and I could use some help. I've done tons of research and am still stumped on how to determine what ohms to build at. Every video or guide I see online the person just knows what they want to build at and goes for it, but at no point have I heard how to determine what a safe build is? I'll be getting an ohm meter and will be as safe as I can be but how do I know whats safe?

I was looking at getting a Templar clone and a Magma clone and someone reccomended I get 35A Efest batteries. Given all that how do I determine what to build my coils to? Someone also reccomended starting with 28 gauge kanthal and organic cotton. I'm not looking to go crazy but at least get started with building, big clouds would be fun but I'm not looking for competition size stuff here and of course flavor is a huge factor. Mostly I'm looking for something to drip on so I can change flavors constantly as my eliquid collection is constantly growing and I'm impatient to try the next one and the next one, etc.

On the other hand is this the right setup for what I'm looking for? or should I be looking at a box mod like the Aspire ESP 30W or Sigelei 100W and just putting a tank on that? I'm currently using an Aspire Nautilus and Nautilus mini on iTaste MVP 2 and a Kamry Kfire, I love everything I have but am looking to try something new.

 

[Katmar]

Bump for an answer and good luck in your endeavors!!!

 

[Muru]

What to get and how to build it is such a matter of personal preference, that it's hard to give advice, other than: buy and try some different stuff....
I build my own coils for my rebuildable tanks and like to be around 1.5 ohms. Why? Dunno really, that's just how my builds come out most. Staying above 1 ohm is definitely safer and allows for longer battery life. I am looking for flavor rather than clouds, and the way I build accommodates that.
It won't hurt you any to try out some different builds with different wire gauges to find out what your sweet spot is. Just remember that the lower builds you make, the more battery safety becomes an issue. But I'm not the right person to advice on safety, hopefully someone else can answer that part of your question.
As for gear....maybe a subtank mini? Then you can experiment with builds or use store bought coils. Best of both worlds

 

[roxynoodle]

A Magma is a nice flavor dripper that's easy to build, and does well single coil. Either 26 or 28g kanthal will work fine. I suggest building above 1 ohm initially. Really, its an excellent first atty due to ease of building. I've been using mine as a juice tester for 8 months

The Efest batteries are really 20A continuous discharge. They are fine for builds above 0.4 ohm. The Magma excells above 0.4 ohm, so you're fine with that battery.

 

[MasteroftheVape]

I always suggest a regulated device for newcommers. Think sigelei 100watts or a dna mod. For the cheaper route the 30-50$ istick are fine too for the money. Building coils for these will give you all the pracrice in the world safely because if you mess up building the coil, the box will tell you.

For forever mech/dripper combos were the best and most powerful things you could get in vaping, regulated mods were for the tootle puffers. This isn't the case anymore.

It's all a preference thing now, if you want a dripper, that magna you linked is a solid choice, I have had one for a while even though it doesn't see much use anymore. Just off the top of my head a dual coil 28g at 10 wraps should give you like .6ohm. 28g is a great size, definitely the most versitile. You can build your dripper anywhere from .3- .8 with dual coils, double those numbers if you do single coils.

But in the end you'll just have to go with your gut and get what feels right, worse case scenario just buy something of each and call one your backup

 

[BakedDragon42]

thank you all very much for the information, this is definitely what i was looking for. I've seen a lot of guides on sub-ohm vaping and thats just not what i was going for. I think i'm gonna get the magma and take a look at the sigelei 100w. I know the sweet spot will take trial and error i just had no idea where to even begin. So thank you for all the help, now to let the good vapes blow.

 

[roxynoodle]

The Sig 100 is a solid box that can be used for just about anything.

Try 9-10 wraps of 26g on a 3/32" bit for about 1-1.1 ohm, and 20W. Its a good vape.

 

[WonderDude32]

Go with a regulated box that you can replace the batteries. Isticks are having issues with some people and for the $50 you could by a nice clone from Fasttech, batteries and a charger. Coil builds are mostly a fun experiment. Remember, the more coils in the build, the higher the ohms. Rip Trippers videos may help explain some things and he's funny.

 

[Baditude]

I've done tons of research and am still stumped on how to determine what ohms to build at. Every video or guide I see online the person just knows what they want to build at and goes for it, but at no point have I heard how to determine what a safe build is? I'll be getting an ohm meter and will be as safe as I can be but how do I know whats safe?

This is something that you'll have to learn from personal experience. You also determine the ohms of your coil according to what your battery can handle (amp rating). Just build a simple 1.0 ohm coil innitially, any battery can handle that. Then should you want to try something different, build another coil accordingly.

I was looking at getting a Templar clone and a Magma clone and someone reccomended I get 35A Efest batteries. Given all that how do I determine what to build my coils to? Someone also reccomended starting with 28 gauge kanthal and organic cotton. I'm not looking to go crazy but at least get started with building, big clouds would be fun but I'm not looking for competition size stuff here and of course flavor is a huge factor. Mostly I'm looking for something to drip on so I can change flavors constantly as my eliquid collection is constantly growing and I'm impatient to try the next one and the next one, etc.

Don't feel pressured to build sub-ohm just because a vocal group says that's the only way to go. The vast majority of vapers are normal wattage and normal ohm vapers. I do both and enjoy both, they're just different.

As stated by others, your purple Efest batteries are not 35 amps, but 20 amps. Build accordingly. A regulated mod should be safer than any mechanical mod because of built-in protection circuitry in the chip. A mechanical mod is not the best option for someone new to vaping.

These blogs may provide you with some helpful information. Research and practice. Baby steps. K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid)

Information Resources for Your First RBA

Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations

Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?

Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries Part 1

Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised

Inexpensive Mechanical Mod and RDA Setup

 

[BakedDragon42]

Go with a regulated box that you can replace the batteries. Isticks are having issues with some people and for the $50 you could by a nice clone from Fasttech, batteries and a charger. Coil builds are mostly a fun experiment. Remember, the more coils in the build, the higher the ohms. Rip Trippers videos may help explain some things and he's funny.

I love Rip Trippers videos, he's a blast to watch. He had a beginners RDA guide going but I could only find part one so I don't think he's done the next one yet.

Don't feel pressured to build sub-ohm just because a vocal group says that's the only way to go. The vast majority of vapers are normal wattage and normal ohm vapers. I do both and enjoy both, they're just different.

Yeah I definitely didn't want to start sub-ohm vaping yet. It's just amazing how many sub-ohm vapers are out there and have videos and guides as opposed to normal wattage guides. At least thats what I've found.

As stated by others, your purple Efest batteries are not 35 amps, but 20 amps. Build accordingly.

This is good to know. I haven't purchased the batteries yet so I may look at some other batteries first, originally I was told the samsung 25R were good so I'll do some more research first.

A regulated mod should be safer than any mechanical mod because of built-in protection circuitry in the chip. A mechanical mod is not the best option for someone new to vaping.

I think I'll be going with regulated first, thank you. I may have just done TOO much research and started getting ahead of myself.

 

[Debadoo]

Just wanted to say welcome to ECF!!! Glad baditude chimed in, he has great blogs! I'm not gonna be a lot of help since I use a bottom fed Reo and my current atty of choice is the nuppin. For me, I just knew I would not be happy dripping, and for me I felt safer with a Reo than tube mechs. I agree at staying around/above 1.0 ohms. I'm usually around 1.3 I get plenty of vapor for me, and great flavor. I've heard a lot of good about the magma but have never tried it. I don't think you said what ohm coils you use for whatever you're vaping on now. If you did I missed it. Are you happy with what you're using now, if not, what don't you like about the vape.

ETA: forgot, here is a great tool for many things including coil building Coil wrapping | Steam Engine | free vaping calculators I am usually about 8 wraps, dual coils to net 1.3 ohms with 30g kanthal

 

[Rat2chat2]

You have gotten some good answers so I just wanted to say

to ecf. Nice to meet you and so glad you are here. A big congrats on the vaping. I think it is wonderful also. I think you should definitely have a meter to check and help is always here. Don't be afraid. I am not experienced in all the builds but that's okay. I do little simple single coils and I am happy. Let us know how you are doing. We are a "caring" bunch. A family. So make yourself at home.

 

[MasteroftheVape]

Here's a good starter guide that should help with your builds

 

[BakedDragon42]

Just wanted to say welcome to ECF!!! Glad baditude chimed in, he has great blogs! I'm not gonna be a lot of help since I use a bottom fed Reo and my current atty of choice is the nuppin. For me, I just knew I would not be happy dripping, and for me I felt safer with a Reo than tube mechs. I agree at staying around/above 1.0 ohms. I'm usually around 1.3 I get plenty of vapor for me, and great flavor. I've heard a lot of good about the magma but have never tried it. I don't think you said what ohm coils you use for whatever you're vaping on now. If you did I missed it. Are you happy with what you're using now, if not, what don't you like about the vape.

ETA: forgot, here is a great tool for many things including coil building Coil wrapping | Steam Engine | free vaping calculators I am usually about 8 wraps, dual coils to net 1.3 ohms with 30g kanthal

I'm currently using 1.8Ω BVC coils for my Aspire Nautilus. I love what I'm currently using but am looking for something to drip to try all the new flavors I'm getting in. I have my all day vape in the nautilus and a 2nd favorite in my nautilus mini. They are perfect for vaping while at work or out and about but I have bottles of eliquid piling up that I can't wait to get to and would love a dripper for it.

And thank you Debadoo and Rat2chat2, and everyone else who is so welcoming! I really appreciate all your advice.

 

[Martnargh]

Mechs are still the most powerful devices. Only a handful of vw devices can effectively and accurately hit over 100 watts at real low resistances. If you have 2 vtc4s in an unregulated box thats .08 ohm you can safely vape at. You could push it further considering the 60 amp pulse of each battery, doubling in series. No regulated mod even comes close to this kind of power.
Just to noy get sidetracked, i too recommend a regulated device. Something inexpensive, since its just to get your feet wet until your next purchase, which probably wont be too long after.

 

[Ohm Gnome]

That's why you build higher for regulated devices. To maximize the volts the device can put out. Mechs are better for sub and super sub but regulated shines at higher ohms