Oxidizing SS mesh without using a torch.

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Saviorself

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Mar 9, 2011
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Hello fellow vapers. I recently got a RSST from a friend of mine to start with rba's and I was wondering that if there are other ways to oxidize the mesh without using a torch since my fiance is terrified of them. I read using a lighter isn't the best method and read boiling the mesh will cause it to rust. I thought about using the stove to oxidize the mesh but I wanted others opinion on this :)
 

IMFire3605

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May 3, 2013
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I use a torch style lighter to oxidize my wire and mesh, doesn't get up to the same temperature as say a baker's torch. The key is to get the metal cherry red, going back and forth a couple of times. Once rolled, wrapped, and attached, then it is all on the battery/base you have it attached to then get some liquid on the coil assembly and burn and fire it dry a couple times after verifying no hot legs or hot spots when you got an even, uniform heating on the assembly to oxidize and insulate the assembly further. A standard Bic style lighter can oxidize wire or wire ribbon initially, but can't reach the temp needed on the mesh or especially stainless rope or ceramic wick. Torch style lighter will not adequately reach temp on ceramic wick or will have trouble doing so. hth
 

darkzero

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You can use a plain ol butane light, as long as it gets the mesh glowing it's sufficent, just a pain, that's all. After burning off any contaminants, you can put juice on it & light it on fire. Once the flame goes out, repeat a few times, this will speed up the oxidation process.

Boiling may clean the mesh but it won't oxidize it. Boiling is just a waste of time. If you boil mesh & it rusts, then that's not stainless steel & it should not be used for vaping.
 

Lavaca5

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If you have a mechanical device, you can use the "pulse" method. Install your wick and coil raw, then start firing the atomizer in short bursts, or pulses. The coil itself will oxidize the wick wherever it touches it. At first, the wire will only glow red on the ends where it is connected to the positive post and the negative screw; then, as the wick becomes oxidized, the glow will slowly start to spread around the coil. If it gets "stuck," i.e. stops spreading, you may have to tweak the coil a bit to even up your wraps or to make sure the wire is making good contact with the wick all the way around. Keep pulsing and tweaking until the entire coil fires when you hit the button. At that point, you can put a drop or two of juice on the wick and burn it off to add another layer of protection.

I've been using this method for a while now, and it works especially well on the RSST because of the insulated wick hole. It works better with ribbon wire than regular 32g, but I've done it with both. You do need a mechanical APV to do it, though. I haven't tried it on a regulated device, but I don't think a VV or VV/VW will fire due to the amp limit on the switch. Make sure you're using a high drain battery like an AW IMR, preferably one that is about midway through a charge cycle.

Hope this helps.
 

Charlie369

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Dec 12, 2012
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I'm having trouble oxidising a very fine mesh I have, I have blowtourced the crap out of it and quenched it in water, I did this about 5-6 times, each time getting the mesh bright orange to yellow almost white, that didnt work. The mesh is blacker now but still if i test any points on it with a multimeter it shows resistance in the low ohms range, i even tried quenching in "oxy action" stain remover for washing, that wasnt much different. I think maybe the mesh is not stainless, it may be tungsten or something, its very fine mech I found in the garage.
 

floatingtrem

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A quick glow on the stove is all mine ever needs.

I think maybe the mesh is not stainless, it may be tungsten or something, its very fine mech I found in the garage.
You're seriously vaping on mesh you found in the garage? Please stop. For your own sake.
 
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darkzero

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You're seriously vaping on mesh you found in the garage? Please stop. For your own sake.

Seriously! I can't think of any reason to have very fine SS or tungsten mesh commonly stored in a household garage. I hope it's not alumnium mesh for screen doors..
 
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Charlie369

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A quick glow on the stove is all mine ever needs.


You're seriously vaping on mesh you found in the garage? Please stop. For your own sake.


relax safteyfags, im not vaping anything I cant oxidise, I assumed it was 304 but obviously its not. I've got some 316 ss wick coming and nichrome, i wanted some oxidised mesh to insulate the coil from the wick.

Its funny how we can all be paranoid about wick safety when using nickel and chrome alloy wires as heating elements, both very nasty metals in the body, kanthal isnt much better.
 
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