Both very cool videos. And as I acknowledged to beck early on, I can see some applications for ribbon wire particularly. But I have to say, I am really, really, liking direct torsion of Kanthal now as a means to impart kinetic force into the metal. While a bend with mild tension may form wire, a torsion or bend under tension imparts the energy that heat would, and conveys that energy directly and substantially to the form. Consider the effects on more substantial metal components. Formed steel retains more rigidity. But torsion[ed] steel contains more memory, i.e. a torsion[ed] spring. Both may be perfectly appropriate to helical elements. Perhaps the issue might better be posited to ask which might better help conserve the function of ("the effect") of vaporization we're attempting to induce with a contact coil, rigidity or metal memory?
For the above reasons I'd tend to favor, personally, something more like darkzero's substantial jig device or similar mock-up over any other simple hand-held appliance including a screwdriver. You can impart more energy into the wire. And that's important in thicker gauges. For clearo's winding off the spool in recent weeks is working famously to my genuine amazement. So much so that I've just about foregone the use of any additional tool this past week or so for winding other than the spool itself and the mandrel. Initially I didn't think you could impart that much resistance by hand-holding a spool. Then I tried anchoring the wire passing with the through-hole in the spool. This helped but proved unnecessary. The tension is applied by both a combination of spool resistance and hand/finger pressure. And much more can be applied than I first expected, although not to the point of breaking 30g as I have with a screwdriver and forceps. I suppose it certainly can happen. An advantage perhaps? Closer to the limit but not exceeding it? To me this translates to a more efficient utility.
As to the fella's cotton material it appears to be common gauze, probably quite similar to the dental gauze I mentioned a few posts back. Excellent stuff. But, I believe the backing cotton you found may be better for wicking as it's not threaded or woven. The natural alignment of the cotton grain would be better for flow. The gauze for higher saturation. The first potentially more useful as a wick. The latter, a top wick. Just some thoughts.
Thanks for the images!
Good luck.
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