Ordered an A7, organic cotton balls, and a spool of Kanthal AWG 30

[Plaz]

One of the (lesser) justifications for this vaping habit/hobby of mine was that it was supposedly going to cost me way less money than smoking did. That doesn't really seem to be happening yet... I've been quite promiscuous with my Amex since I started down this road! (Other than the Reo Grand, mostly on juices... I'm hoping once I find 5 or so favorites, that spending spree will stop!)

Was convinced by many threads here of the wisdom and rewards of going with an rba though, so I'm diving in.

 

[garyinco]

I like my A7's. For the money - they are a good deal. Make sure you either lightly boil it or wash it with something that will cut oil (Dawn dish soap for me). They come with a lot of machining oil on them and it tastes really nasty. Replace the stock wick, it will be soaked with the oil.

 

[Plaz]

Thanks, I'll make sure to do that!

 

[garyinco]

I hear ya on the costs. It's very tempting to order every new gadget that comes out. I have all kinds of stuff, some of which I've never actually tried out. I even have a mod that I have never put a battery in (Unsure knows what it looks like )

I currently have A7s, reomizers and an ERA. I think the A7 is the easiest to rebuild. To me it is a necessity to have some sort of magnifier. Either an articulated one that clamps to the edge of your desk/table or a jewelers type eyeglasses like these. And good lighting.

 

[Plaz]

I've got readers and good lighting... hopefully that will do the trick. Will augment if necessary.

I'm thinking I'll get started with the relatively cheap A7 to get my feet wet, and if I decide to stick with RBAs buy a bottom-feed Hornet or ERA when they're finally available again. And then maybe a Chalice if they ever make any more. But by then there'll probably be some new hot item.

 

[garyinco]

I too would like to try a chalice. Kinda ticks me off they advertise them and then say - wait 4 months. I'm hoping Rob's upcoming creation negates the need. Not too long ago I got my first ERA. I like it but it does mute flavor for some reason. I think you will like the A7. Cheers

BTW, where is Churzee? Are you in London? Just curious...

 

[munkey]

The A7 is a very good atomizer, and can be improved upon greatly from the stock configuration. Drilling side air holes and adding an oring to the REO interface take it from good to great. It is an especially robust RBA in terms of durability, beginner friendliness, and ease of coil installation.

 

[Plaz]

I too would like to try a chalice. Kinda ticks me off they advertise them and then say - wait 4 months. I'm hoping Rob's upcoming creation negates the need. Not too long ago I got my first ERA. I like it but it does mute flavor for some reason. I think you will like the A7. Cheers

BTW, where is Churzee? Are you in London? Just curious...

Ha! No, just my snarky way of saying New Jersey.

 

[garyinco]

The A7 is a very good atomizer, and can be improved upon greatly from the stock configuration. Drilling side air holes and adding an oring to the REO interface take it from good to great. It is an especially robust RBA in terms of durability, beginner friendliness, and ease of coil installation.

I'd be curious... What size side hole did you drill? Did you drill more than one? I've never drilled thru SS on a convex suface. Such a small sized bit! This should be interesting, but I'm game to try. All I have is your standard bench top Delta drill press. I would make a v-block or use a wood clamp to hold it stationary.

Thanks for any tips on doing this.

 

[Commie]

Drilling it is a nightmare. Drill press will go a long way though, I was trying it with a hand drill. Make sure you have those uber hard drill bits -- the normal high speed and titanium coated don't do squat. After 40 minutes and 3 broken bits, I have a barely noticeable dent in mine.

 

[garyinco]

I have some cobalt bits, but I may have already broken the little bitty ones I'm worried my drill press won't slow down enough to avoid heat-hardening the stainless. The more I think about it, I might call a couple of shops and see what they would charge. I'm recalling too many projects where I'm running all over town, buying tools I'll only use once and not be able to find later, and ultimately getting someone else to do it anyway...

 

[Oktyabr]

Hi guys!

I found this thread through a general forum search for "A7". I just got my first A7 and have a couple of questions. If there is a dedicated thread to these somewhere I should know about I would sure appreciate it if someone would point me in that direction!

The adjustable center post is a nice feature but mine also seems quite loose fitting. I've screwed it in and back out a couple of times to check the fit and it seems as if it doesn't like to stay where I put it very easily. Am I missing something here?

Mine has two air holes drilled just above the 510 threading. This produces a very airy draw IMHO, far more airy than my AGA-T2 for example. I busted off the tip of a toothpick in one of them and that seems to help but after reading posts in this thread about folks drilling theirs out even larger it makes me wonder! Again, am I missing something here?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JC Okie]

I think the things you've read about drilling the holes out larger were talking about the ERA and/or the Hornet. I don't think people are drilling the holes in the A7s. In fact, they're putting toothpicks in like you did. The center post being loose has given several of us fits....they have been shorting out the REOs. Some of the REO owners have come up with "fixes" for the wobbly center post. I'm going to try to find the threads that talk about the fixes, but basically it's to use condom silicon to hold the post straight, but not block the air intake.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...one-try-a7-rba-will-fit.html?highlight=A7+fix This thread has a LOT of information.

 

[Oktyabr]

Thanks! I'll look into it!

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Here's a new thread that has links to some of the items you would like to address. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/reos-mods/401265-dealing-a7.html

 

[Oktyabr]

Thanks! Very much appreciated!