I guess the best advice that I could give you all is to follow super_X_drifter's model of discovery when he first set out to investigate the potential of
micro coils. If you read back on ECF to the Winter/Spring of last year most everyone had come to the realization that loose irregular spaced winds were not contributing the efficiency or performance that was hoped to be attainable. SxD set out to improve the symmetry and started small and close. As tightness and geometry were optimized performance improved so he was encouraged to get turns closer. Eventually a little bit too much coherence and these coils were incidentally touching or virtually in contact. But close contact wasn't exactly best performance as some were noting the heat effects of shorting, like a bad terminal connection. This fostered a conundrum of discussion on whether it was possible, would work or have any benefit at all as the technology expanded across the vaping universe. Ultimately
and thankfully SxD said what the heck and the
contact coil was born…
What followed was the evolution of tension that has spawned here. To look back is to see that it's a process so...
Take baby steps! Follow the slow but certain path of discovery for yourself.
Tension or
strain will allow you make a coil with turns that are as proximately close as nature will allow. It is
that point in physics that opens the magic window to performance. This level of tightness I've defined in layman's terms as
adhesion. To say tight is inadequate to describe it. So it's a measure of tightness. A point on the scale of tightness that we're seeking.
So we start out as we would in a new car…slowly and attentively gauging it's performance as we go.
Starting with the first wind, begin with as taught a wrap as you feel may make good contact in the first few turns. It likely will not as we're still
forming until actual strain is imparted into the wire. However, it doesn't matter that the first few or more may end up less than perfect. Proceed until successive turns appear to be in close contact. Every few turns, 2 or 3, stop. Examine the coil. See if they unwrap. Look for minute spaces between the turns. If they're clearly visible, you have not reached
adhesion.
There is no right or wrong here. It's a matter of training your muscle memory. If you have to follow this process through several winds it's not uncommon. I've trained many folks who find the spot their very first wind. I did rather quickly the first time I found it. Then it took me several weeks to gain consistency. Each one of us has our own physical learning curve.
What I should most emphasize is to wind deliberately and as consistently as possible both in rotating the mandrel and the tension applied. That is the goal, to repeat
that experience every time.
But
adhesion is not merely a matter of the physical attributes of the product. The objective is actually function. What does it do for our vape? Making this physical and intellectual connection is a very important part of the process of creating a t.m.c. The latter being to train your mind to distinguish the variety in the result. To remain observant.
No need to spell out the result here because it's been talked about endlessly. You will come to know it fondly and intimately. In doing so you will tighten up…not the coil…but the precise point in your mind where winding beyond the threshold of adhesion produces the best result
for you. It is the mind body connection I often kid about…
be the coil.
Tensioned micro's can be tightened to some amazing levels of heat production. But there is a point of diminishing returns where the energy added to the wire is excessive. A host of negatives may ensue but generally the opposite of the efficiency effects we're looking for, essentially richness of vapor and flavor.
Taking the baby steps upwards across the line of adhesion will with a bit of experience help you isolate the zone that stabilizes your vape. In the process you will discover what variations bring to the table…and also take away.
Best of luck to you all…and
get tensioned!
Happy Holidays.
