So last week our esteemed host PM'd me and asked whether I'd like the silver contact upgrade for my #0002, which I had more-or-less declined when I got her. At that point, I wasn't sure whether I'd actually use her or whether I'd treat her as a museum piece, so I wanted to keep her historically accurate. Well, as y'all know, I've been using her. Every day. All the time. She gets the place of honor in my shirt pocket when I'm out and about, and she sleeps on my night stand. Anyway, I told Peter: "Sure, but send it to me down in FL where I'll be next week."
Well, last night I arrived in FL where the silver stud (and brass nut) were already waiting for me, but after driving 600 miles, I was too tired to install 'em. I went to bed last night with #0002 on my night stand as usual. When I woke up this morning, I picked her up to grab a hit or three. Nada. For the first time ever, she refused to fire. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot...? OK, there's a reason I keep TWO mods on my night stand so I unplugged the Protovapor with a KFL+ on it from the USB charger and vaped that for a bit. A while later, I picked up #0002 again (I think I need to name her) and tried again. This time she did fire, but she seemed a bit reluctant. I know it's irrational to think that inanimate objects have feelings, but it sure seemed she was ...... that I hadn't given her the "jewelry" I had gotten her.
So later this morning (after appropriate amounts of caffeine and nicotine) I set about installing the new bits. I'd never taken the firing mechanism apart before (never felt the need). Taking it apart was no problem. Peter, I hereby confirm that the spring appears to be silver plated. Installing the silver stud and brass nut was also straightforward enough, although it took a couple of tries to get it looking just right -- i.e. having the stud just barely protruding from the nut with everything snugged down. Of course, I didn't bother going back and finding whatever old posts exist with tips -- I have to do everything the hard way. In other words I left both of the plastic washers from the original assembly in place and found... It didn't fit. OK, take it apart, remove one of the washers, fiddle with it a bit more to get it looking just right, re-assemble. Then it fit together but fired all the time. OK, take it apart, remove the second washer, fiddle with it a bit more to get it looking just right, re-assemble. And..
PERFECTION. I now have a lighter, shorter throw on the button, and I have to apply much less pressure to keep it firing. This is an excellent upgrade compared to the original (aluminum?) screw!
Thank you Peter!
