PTB Straw Mod: PTB Made Easy!
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Thanks for those latest tips Kristin,
I had some carts made up ( but dry) and I too was notching the side of the straws. Re-strawed them tonight. Also, when I make these I have not been cutting the ptb flush with the cart seeing that there was some springy 'give' that the atty would push against just right, the tip of fraying the tops makes it even better, it's still easy to remove and rinse if need be.
I am currently using Pete54's BFD for home/pt but this ptb made easy is my fav for bring to work or on the go cause I can just top off easier.
Thanks again.
I had some carts made up ( but dry) and I too was notching the side of the straws. Re-strawed them tonight. Also, when I make these I have not been cutting the ptb flush with the cart seeing that there was some springy 'give' that the atty would push against just right, the tip of fraying the tops makes it even better, it's still easy to remove and rinse if need be.
I am currently using Pete54's BFD for home/pt but this ptb made easy is my fav for bring to work or on the go cause I can just top off easier.
Thanks again.
Just bumping this for people who are still interested in PTB and want the easiest way to try it. This is my regular cart set up! 
This looks very easy and effective....I'm heading to the store tomorrow to pick up my PTB's and straws....thank you for a no-nonsense step-by-step guide on how to do this...I need it broken down like that or else I will never try it! I'll let ya know how it goes.....
is the cutout from the straw at the top of the atty,one side flat one side v cut?which one is at the part that slips in to the atty?i just cant figure it out.stupid pills today.
The "V" cut goes into the cart first with the flat (uncut) end of the straw facing the atty. Also, push the straw all the way in so the "V" cuts are on the short side of the cart.
Kristin thanks for bumping this thread!
I've had my Joye 510 for 2 months now and over this time I have tried a lot of cart mods, the original PTB (Pyramid Tea Bag) with a lot of variations with folds and rolls, so much so that I'm getting very good with Origami. I've tried the ZFM (Zero Filler mod) with so many different variations with straw lengths, the cut patterns and hole sizes and shapes in the silicone. I've tried the BFM (Blue Foam Mod) with many of its variations in folds, lengths, trims, etc. I then tried the BFD (Blue Foam Dart) mod with some variations in length and shape. Blah - Blah - Blah.
Ok, I've learned a few things. First and foremost is that the viscosity, how thick or thin your e-juice is - is what really determines how well any such cart mod is going to work. Once a person finds the cart mod that works for them they should try and duplicate the viscosity of their e-juices to remain consistent each and every time. If it floods the atty, more than likely it is too thin. If it doesn't wick into the atty well, then it is probably too thick. I keep on bottle of straight PG (thin) and one bottle of straight VG (thick) handy to adjust my homemade or even supplier purchased e-juices to the viscosity that works for me.
I've been so frustrated over the past week because I made my first NicoStick and absolutely love it, but even though it is the same voltage (very close) as my stock 510 batteries, it does seem to provide a better "kick" to my attys, therefore a bit stronger vape and hit. For whatever reason, my aforementioned cart mods just do not seem to work as well as they used to so the search for the right cart mod for my NicoStick was in order. Well I just found it!
Following Kristins simple directions exactly, this is by far THE best cart mod I've tried and used successfully. I cut my straw to exactly 15mm, I used the soft end of a Q-Tip with 90% of the cotton removed to push the PTB into my cart, lightly squeezed the excess between finger and thumb and lightly pushed it to ensure that it was all the way in, trimmed it flush with the end of the cart and 100% success.
A cart mod is going to do one of 3 things: 1 - Flood the atty. 2 - Not wick into the atty well enough/fast enough. 3 - Work perfectly.
This for me anyway - works perfectly!
Thanks Kristin!
1. There are 2 V-shapes cut out of one end.
2. The cuts go in toward the mouthpiece end. The purpose of the cuts is to vent air to that end, so the liquid isn't stuck at the mouthpiece end & can get to the atty. This is what helps empty it.
3. Because these v-cuts are acting as air vents, it you put it in wrong, it'll just block the vents. Think about putting something round into something rectangular - on side of the circle gets squished. So, when you put the straw in, it'll get squished along the long sides of the cart (if it's a 510). So, you don't want the v-cut vents lined up with the side it gets squished. When you put the straw into the cart, make sure the v-cut vents face the short sides of the cart, because there is a space to allow airflow. This is true of ANY cart mod that uses a straw.
A cart mod is going to do one of 3 things: 1 - Flood the atty. 2 - Not wick into the atty well enough/fast enough. 3 - Work perfectly.
This for me anyway - works perfectly!
Thanks Kristin!
I'm glad you found it helpful! It's not the end all-be all of cart mods, (I don't claim the search is over, lol) but as far as simplicity, efficiency and reusability, it's the best I've found so far for PTB mods. It's almost TOO simple, which may be why more people don't try it, lol!
I'll have to stop by the fabric store and see if I can find an alternative to the PTB, because so many people have a hard time finding it!
For me , I want a cart that:
1. Is easy to make, with easy-to-find, inexpensive material
2. Doesn't have a bad taste
3. Keeps the atty wet
4. Uses all of the liquid in the cart and doesn't need topping off
5. Is easy to refill without needles or tweezers
6. Is easy to clean and reuse
7. Lasts a long time
8. Works with different liquid thicknesses
9. Food-grade material
This mod does all of these things with my 510!
It's not that mods like the ZFM and SFY aren't better in ways, they are just harder to make (and get right) and refill. I'm lazy! LOL
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Found this material that is very close to the PTB material at WalMart yesterday. It was on a roll with the ribbon type stuff. Gonna give it a tryout today to see if it works. Just seems a shame to throw tea away.
It's probably gossamer ribbon! I bought a partial roll, but that was before I found this mod. It won't hold a fold the same way PTB does, so it wasn't a good PTB replacement if you're rolling/folding/shredding - but it should work for this mod. Since it didn't work, I just tossed it. Doh!
It's probably gossamer ribbon! I bought a partial roll, but that was before I found this mod. It won't hold a fold the same way PTB does, so it wasn't a good PTB replacement if you're rolling/folding/shredding - but it should work for this mod. Since it didn't work, I just tossed it. Doh!
There's a drawer full of stuff here that's been tried.
Never throw away---you just never know.
When you say "short sides" of the cart, does "short" mean the smaller sides on the left/right? For instance:
In your picture, does this mean the left/right sides? Sometimes I over think things
but I couldn't tell if you meant literally "shorter" sides or the sides with the "shortest distance" from each other.I think I need a nap.
Thank you, Kristen!
Kristen
Does it matter how deep the V is cut into the straw??
I wouldn't make them larger than 1/4" the length of the straw. I think mine are usually about 1/8" - I usually eyeball it. We've found that TOO large and the straw loses it's venting/wicking ability.
Too true!!
When you say "short sides" of the cart, does "short" mean the smaller sides on the left/right? For instance:
In your picture, does this mean the left/right sides? Sometimes I over think things
I think I need a nap.
Thank you, Kristen!
Yes, the notches would be on the left and right in the photo above. You don't want the notches blocked where the straw touches the sides of the cart. You'll see it when you go to put the straw in - there is more space at the ends of the rectangle.
This is by far the most effective method with PTB that I have used. Just my .02
Hello Kristin, thank you for the mod , I am trying it just right now
I've just a question about cleaning ?
How often do you clean the PTB ? do you just clean the cart and drop the filler and replace it, or do you clean the filler under water, dry it , and reuse it ?
I am french, so sorry for the bad english writing
I've just a question about cleaning ?
How often do you clean the PTB ? do you just clean the cart and drop the filler and replace it, or do you clean the filler under water, dry it , and reuse it ?
I am french, so sorry for the bad english writing
Kristin,
You nailed it when you said: "It's almost TOO simple, which may be why more people don't try it, lol!"
Hi everyone, im new to posting and fairly new to ecigs with my 510, but i've been reading these forums for a while learning all i can. Thanks by the way to everyone for all your hard work and wealth of information.
I first started moding my cart with the ZMF mod followed by the SFY and the Blue Foam with a ton of variations of all those, But never tried your PTB staw mod untill recently.
First off i want to say that this is by far the best mod right now for functionality, ease to make, and best of all ease of use.
I've loved this mod from the first puff, but like all moders i had to mess with it to see if i cound make it better. this is what i found.
ok venting, like you said about making vent holes in this middle of the straw stop or slowed wicking well i found that as well, and same with the bottom vents. I find the carts will drain until i hits vent holes, leaving a few drops left. I tried holes at every level but to drain my cart fully i push the tea bag right through the bottom of the straw and cut it off with just about 1mm sticking out. and then push it to the bottom. Lots of air still vent because of the tea bag sticking through and plus the bottom is round so there is an air gap because the straw never sits flat. I also thinks its important to cut off the bottom tea bag, makes it wick way better imo.
As for liquid thickness, and wicking, you can control it by how far the wick sticks out the bottom of the straw. if you have thicker liquid or you want a fast wick flow, push it out more like 3mm if its thinner fluid or its wicking to fast floading the atty then dont push it out as far. Same with HV, it wicks faster because you vape more so you need a faster flow. If you're floading slow it down. Just my 2cents.
Awesome mod, thanks a ton
You nailed it when you said: "It's almost TOO simple, which may be why more people don't try it, lol!"
Hi everyone, im new to posting and fairly new to ecigs with my 510, but i've been reading these forums for a while learning all i can. Thanks by the way to everyone for all your hard work and wealth of information.
I first started moding my cart with the ZMF mod followed by the SFY and the Blue Foam with a ton of variations of all those, But never tried your PTB staw mod untill recently.
First off i want to say that this is by far the best mod right now for functionality, ease to make, and best of all ease of use.
I've loved this mod from the first puff, but like all moders i had to mess with it to see if i cound make it better. this is what i found.
ok venting, like you said about making vent holes in this middle of the straw stop or slowed wicking well i found that as well, and same with the bottom vents. I find the carts will drain until i hits vent holes, leaving a few drops left. I tried holes at every level but to drain my cart fully i push the tea bag right through the bottom of the straw and cut it off with just about 1mm sticking out. and then push it to the bottom. Lots of air still vent because of the tea bag sticking through and plus the bottom is round so there is an air gap because the straw never sits flat. I also thinks its important to cut off the bottom tea bag, makes it wick way better imo.
As for liquid thickness, and wicking, you can control it by how far the wick sticks out the bottom of the straw. if you have thicker liquid or you want a fast wick flow, push it out more like 3mm if its thinner fluid or its wicking to fast floading the atty then dont push it out as far. Same with HV, it wicks faster because you vape more so you need a faster flow. If you're floading slow it down. Just my 2cents.
Awesome mod, thanks a ton
I just tried your mod, Kristin, and I definitely like it. I've been using the PTB (rolled, frayed) for quite a while and have been very pleased with it, but all the rolling, etc. is time-consuming. Your mod is much easier and so far it's worked well for me. Your pics helped immensely.
I haven't wanted to try the blue foam plug because I have to wonder what makes it BLUE!
I haven't wanted to try the blue foam plug because I have to wonder what makes it BLUE!
I clean it if it starts to get sluggish (low vapor or hard draw) or tastes funky.Hello Kristin, thank you for the mod , I am trying it just right now
I've just a question about cleaning ?
How often do you clean the PTB ? do you just clean the cart and drop the filler and replace it, or do you clean the filler under water, dry it , and reuse it ?
I am french, so sorry for the bad english writing
I just pull out the tea bag, rinse it under hot water, blot it dry on a paper towel and pop it back in the cart. VERY easy!
Thanks Bertso! I''m glad you found a version which works for you. This mod is easily customizable for different users!
If you read back earlier in this thread, I did once try cutting off the tip of the tea bag (at the mouthpiece end of the straw) but found it flooded my atty way too much & I kept getting mouthfuls of liquid. It may depend upon the viscocity of your liquid, but I use nhaler's HV, which is pretty thick.
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