Question About Mech Mod Market

[TSRodes]

When it comes to the mods I really drool over, I find that they're all so expensive for what they are, physically. Now, I know that several of you are ready to respond by detailing the priceless innovation of these things, but I'll call bull.... right now and you don't have to waste your time. This price has to be justified on one thing, right? The process of precision machining (please correct me if I'm wrong on this it's definitely possible) must be pretty expensive. But why aren't competing mod manufacturing finding a way to share these machines and mass produce? Why are there "rounds" of every product, when it's been out for ages and nobody thinks it's flawed?

To be clear, I'm talking about stuff from Greece, the Philippines and even most American made mechanical mods.

 

[Ian Reese McDonald]

Very good point. i think its probably about he profit from company to company. people are stingey. iv been thinking of just buying a china clone Omega from Vapor Break.. seems good quality and for $15? why not give it a shot? NEW Omega Mechanical MOD - VaporBreak

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Oh no. Another Clone Wars thread.

The high end, high priced mech mods you see in the pictures forum are collectors' items. They're not intended for mass marketing. They're intended for a rather small clientele with the means to pay for the fancy engraving, precision machining and serial numbers.

It's the same thing with pipes, firearms, watches, knives, cars and other items where there are small numbers of eager buyers who crave quality and craftsmanship, and are willing to pay enough of a premium to keep the market small and supply low.

That said, there are plenty of cheap clones available for the Caravela, the Bagua, the Chi you and all of the others you see in that pix thread.

 

[TSRodes]

"Oh, no. Another condescending forum veteran."

I know I don't have any posts. Gotta start branching out somewhere. I wasn't trying to participate in any metaphorical electronic cigarette war. I just think that I've seen products priced around 150-200 that are attractive and well designed, but hard to justify considering the price of materials and man power would be SO much lower per unit. It's the same thing with guns, cars, watches, etc. You are so right! But what's different is that I don't have a problem finding a product in those categories that I feel cost the manufacturer closer to the amount it cost me. I drive an Acura. It's not brand new, but I'm proud to be seen driving it (unless it's really dirty). I feel as though the beautiful performance and wide range of luxury features are worth the cost. If I want to buy a Roller, it's gonna be like $160, right? Dissemble that product in your mind and make an estimate of the cost of production, please.

Cheap clones are cool, too. I just want something with conductive contacts, which really isn't all that much to ask. Copper is kind of pricy, but you don't need all that much of it. Same for silver plated parts. I feel like I got a pretty fair deal on a Sigelei 19e from VTUSA, but that's for thirty bucks. Pretty low voltage drop, too! It's just not brilliantly designed overall, with parts that move in the wrong direction for it to not become unscrewed from normal operation. I just wish I could spend $50 on a mod and feel like I got a really solid step up from this.

 

[snork]

My favorite American mod maker recently bought a CNC for...I'm guessing in excess of $100,000 for the whole setup. Perhaps when he recoups that investment prices may come down. In the meantime his quality blows the rest out of the water (which it pretty much did before the purchase of this machine anyway).

 

[TSRodes]

Your prof pic tells the whole story. I want one so bad. I just know it would look amazing under my RBA (I am aware that this sounds borderline sexual). But what I'm wondering is why the CNC isn't running night and day. How long does it take to manufacture each unit? I feel like the demand is there.

 

[retired1]

Watching this one closely guys. Let's not get another one closed, eh?

 

[TSRodes]

Sorry, man. I just felt like I made it clear that I wanted a business-oriented response. Or was it the fact that I want a Precise 18650 a little too bad?

EDIT: I seriously am new and confused. If you think you're being condescended to here, you can't briefly express that? Seriously not trying to step on anybody's toes, I just don't know how to treat forums differently than real world yet, apparently.

But back on topic; can anyone provide insight to the time it requires to machine a nice mechanical and what the limitations of a CNC are?

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

"Oh, no. Another condescending forum veteran."

I know I don't have any posts. Gotta start branching out somewhere. I wasn't trying to participate in any metaphorical electronic cigarette war. I just think that I've seen products priced around 150-200 that are attractive and well designed, but hard to justify considering the price of materials and man power would be SO much lower per unit. It's the same thing with guns, cars, watches, etc. You are so right! But what's different is that I don't have a problem finding a product in those categories that I feel cost the manufacturer closer to the amount it cost me. I drive an Acura. It's not brand new, but I'm proud to be seen driving it (unless it's really dirty). I feel as though the beautiful performance and wide range of luxury features are worth the cost. If I want to buy a Roller, it's gonna be like $160, right? Dissemble that product in your mind and make an estimate of the cost of production, please.

Cheap clones are cool, too. I just want something with conductive contacts, which really isn't all that much to ask. Copper is kind of pricy, but you don't need all that much of it. Same for silver plated parts. I feel like I got a pretty fair deal on a Sigelei 19e from VTUSA, but that's for thirty bucks. Pretty low voltage drop, too! It's just not brilliantly designed overall, with parts that move in the wrong direction for it to not become unscrewed from normal operation. I just wish I could spend $50 on a mod and feel like I got a really solid step up from this.

I really wasn't trying to be condescending. I was trying to be funny because these kinds of threads pop up a lot.

You can get a nice electronic mod for around $50. There are several really cool options available. Mech mods are a different critter. The ones that are mass produced won't have the quality of materials and workmanship that the Caravela or GP do.

The Acura is a fine vehicle. It hauls ... and looks good doing it. But if you want a Lamborghini--and that's what those Greek and Phillipine mods are--you're gonna have to save up for a while, and maybe get in line with the other folks who drool over them.

It's partially about cost of manufacture, but it's also part of charging what the market will bear. In a small market with limited supply and steady demand, the market bears a pretty big price.

 

[snork]

Your prof pic tells the whole story. I want one so bad. I just know it would look amazing under my RBA (I am aware that this sounds borderline sexual). But what I'm wondering is why the CNC isn't running night and day. How long does it take to manufacture each unit? I feel like the demand is there.

It actually takes a lot more time than you think. He has a couple videos which show how long some simple operations take on just one part. Then you may have to take that part and manually reload, retool, and perform a different operation on it. Multiply that by hundreds of operations and add in the time for fit and finish...

 

[TSRodes]

That's the response I was seeking. I guess I misunderstood. I just haven't been able to find detailed enough answers to justify a probably inevitable huge purchase considering the function and materials used. So far, I was thinking I would actually be okay with caving and buying a custom roller/richman rba v2 for my six month vape-versary. And thanks for the Acura compliments! For the price in lightly used condition, they're almost always a steal! I have a VAMO and a couple of other ego VVs, but they're hideous. Vamo just checks my resistance now. I carry my Sigelei #19e, but the spring in the button sucks and my hardware stores don't have any that fit, the locking ring rotates in a way that unscrews parts of the button assembly, and the top spring gets all warped and will factually become worse in 18350 mode if I try to fidget with it. I'd love a recommendation for a step up from that at any reasonable price point!

Again, sorry if I was a ..... I hope to eventually get good at forums, because it appears to be the only way to further immerse myself into the world of vaping.

 

[TSRodes]

It actually takes a lot more time than you think. He has a couple videos which show how long some simple operations take on just one part. Then you may have to take that part and manually reload, retool, and perform a different operation on it. Multiply that by hundreds of operations and add in the time for fit and finish...

I had no idea. I guess I just thought these things must be able to crank stuff out pretty quickly considering how cheap some precisely machined metal parts are at hardware stores. Welp, you solved my mystery. I'll check out the youtube; thanks for the information!

 

[snork]

I had no idea. I guess I just thought these things must be able to crank stuff out pretty quickly considering how cheap some precisely machined metal parts are at hardware stores. Welp, you solved my mystery. I'll check out the youtube; thanks for the information!

Yeah, check out forcedfuel50 on youtube. It's kewl.

 

[Jazzi Mike]

There are a few big differences. One is quality of parts/manufacturing. These Chinese companies make the clones quickly and cheaply without much concern for quality control. Not to mention, it seems like their engineers, or whoever does the plans for the machining seem to know absolutely nothing about ecigs.

Take Sigelei 19. These were pretty popular. I own 2. Sigelei tried to copy the Mad Modz Nzonic. The Mad Modz featured a magnetic fire button and the Phillipino flag on the design. Sigelei made the 19 and put magnets in the mod, but had a normal Sigelei switch that the magnets had no part of. Then Sigelei put out an Nzonic cap which still feature designs from the Filipino flag.

Vapers like the mad Modz nzonic's magnetic switch. Sigelei cloned it poorly by making a mod that just had magnets in it, that served no purpose.

 

[stumpfreeman]

With all of the talk of regulation and banning all over the world, you can't really blame the high end mod makers for keeping it small. Why expand your business if it may be on the brink of destruction. Not dooming and glooming here, but if electronic cigarettes get the thumbs up and become main stream, I would assume a much more competitive market would blossom.

 

[TSRodes]

That, Stump, is an impressive business insight.

 

[snork]

forcedfuel50's other love is machining custom automobile engine parts.

 

[Rob S.]

I carry my Sigelei #19e, but the spring in the button sucks and my hardware stores don't have any that fit, the locking ring rotates in a way that unscrews parts of the button assembly, and the top spring gets all warped and will factually become worse in 18350 mode if I try to fidget with it. I'd love a recommendation for a step up from that at any reasonable price point!

The Smok Magneto is a high quality, mass-produced mech mod.

Has a genuine magnetic switch, unlike the Sigelei #19.

New version is shipping soon, with an adjustable center pin.

Under 50 dollars, worth every penny.




Sent from my HTC One

 

[Christoph]

Personally, I can't justify the price on these high end mods. They are awesome looking mods but I have my budget limits. Some of the prices are just crazy to me, idk but unless I'm an enthusiast level vaper the mods that cost over $100 will not be in my stash

 

[PuddleSnake]

Yeah, check out forcedfuel50 on youtube. It's kewl.

Thanks for that heads up snork. VERY impressive work. Definitely subscribed