Questions about my mini

[AmandaD]

Hope it's ok to start a new thread, but even after reading all the threads I can find I have a bunch of questions. Also my RM2 is arriving today (YEAH) and I know I'll have questions about that!

1. I see pics on Robs site showing replacement tubes attached to firing pins. I take my tube on and off to clean it - am I not supposed to do that (I got my mini original from the classies - no idea how old it is)?

2. The tube and top that came with my mini are grossly disgusting, even after cleaning - sort of yellow and stained with a big black mark where the tube met the pin. Luckily there was a spare. Can I just order replacement tubing, or do you have to order the whole assembly with caps (I'll need more of them anyway, so no big deal)?

3. Squonking (particularly while driving): I've read about mastering the blind squonk, but I don't seem to have that down yet. I find it hard to manoevre my fingers through the opening - and I have fairly small hands (maybe I need to cut my nails? LOL) ! I can't reach properly with my 4th finger to press the button down at the same time - what am I missing?

4. Squonking in general: my mini came with a half dozen bottles, but they all seem pretty stiff. Is there a reason the opening is in the long side of the mod and not the short side (it sorta seems more natural for me to want to squonk on an edge with my thumb rather than find the place in the side!!) I find I squonk best when I use my other hand to push the bottle - do I just need to do finger exercises? LOL (Cause it's hard to do that while driving).

5. Was this the first iteration of the mini before the new one? I'm wondering what changed, apart from the rounded sides? What am I missing out on?

6. 3ml bottles are a little small for me, but I like the size of the mini...particularly as it gets hard to squonk accurately for the last 1/4" in the tube. Also, my batteries only last such a short while there's no way 4 of them would last me a day out - I must vape too much.

7. I've filed and noaloxed the battery connection, but it still seems to be awkward to push the button - it has a black delrin cover on it. User error again?

I absolutely love how the mini is so small and discrete and doesn't look like it's either a weapon or a um....other battery powered device.... Hope I haven't overloaded the questions

 

[tmel]

The Grand really isn't that much larger, maybe you should upgrade.

 

[nerak]

Hope it's ok to start a new thread, but even after reading all the threads I can find I have a bunch of questions. Also my RM2 is arriving today (YEAH) and I know I'll have questions about that!

1. I see pics on Robs site showing replacement tubes attached to firing pins. I take my tube on and off to clean it - am I not supposed to do that (I got my mini original from the classies - no idea how old it is)?
Let me ask you this: Does it have a allen screw on the bottom to hold the spring or a phillips head? The allen screws were used in the first few runs of the Mini's and Grands. I would also ask about the tubing size but since you don't have another REO to compare I won't! LOL! You can take the tube off to clean. In fact doing that in a REO from the classy's is good. But depending on the age of the tubing it might just need replaced. With a new tube you need to make sure it is all the way up on that little nipple. You can use a drop of super glue to hold it tight. Usually the tubing will last many years. I don't remove mine unless replacing.

2. The tube and top that came with my mini are grossly disgusting, even after cleaning - sort of yellow and stained with a big black mark where the tube met the pin. Luckily there was a spare. Can I just order replacement tubing, or do you have to order the whole assembly with caps (I'll need more of them anyway, so no big deal)?
You can just order tubing from Robert. Replacing the tubing in another cap is not to tough to do.

3. Squonking (particularly while driving): I've read about mastering the blind squonk, but I don't seem to have that down yet. I find it hard to manoevre my fingers through the opening - and I have fairly small hands (maybe I need to cut my nails? LOL) ! I can't reach properly with my 4th finger to press the button down at the same time - what am I missing?
I hold my REO's with just my fingers and thumb. Use my index finger to fire. I just let it lay back on my fingers and use my thumb to squonk. Not a problem even if driving.

4. Squonking in general: my mini came with a half dozen bottles, but they all seem pretty stiff. Is there a reason the opening is in the long side of the mod and not the short side (it sorta seems more natural for me to want to squonk on an edge with my thumb rather than find the place in the side!!) I find I squonk best when I use my other hand to push the bottle - do I just need to do finger exercises? LOL (Cause it's hard to do that while driving).
It is not too hard to find your way to hold and fire and squonk. Try different ways and a couple will become your favorites.

5. Was this the first iteration of the mini before the new one? I'm wondering what changed, apart from the rounded sides? What am I missing out on?
There was a Mini 2.0 released after the Mini. The 2.0 was the same size as the 2.1, and used the 18490 battery. The Mini 2.1 has a larger drip well to accomodate RBA's.


6. 3ml bottles are a little small for me, but I like the size of the mini...particularly as it gets hard to squonk accurately for the last 1/4" in the tube. Also, my batteries only last such a short while there's no way 4 of them would last me a day out - I must vape too much.
The bottle size is a limit as well as the battery. The Mini fits into our vaping by providing a compact unit. Robert did upgrade to the Mini 2.1 to address the battery size. The bottle stayed the same, 3 ml. Drawbacks for some but they do have their place in many Reonaut lives.

7. I've filed and noaloxed the battery connection, but it still seems to be awkward to push the button - it has a black delrin cover on it. User error again?
Your delrin button top might be slid down a tad. It can make it difficult to make contact with the battery. You can pop the cover off. If it is too low to make contact you can put a small bit of paper in the top to reduce travel.

I absolutely love how the mini is so small and discrete and doesn't look like it's either a weapon or a um....other battery powered device.... Hope I haven't overloaded the questions

Hope that helps you some!

 

[Raynman]

The only way to follow up on that is to say. Yeah what she said.

 

[JC Okie]

Good answers, nerak!! The little 3ml bottles will gradually get a little "softer" as you use them. I usually don't change bottles when I change juices....just pour the new juice right in on top of the old. Or....if I'm really changing flavors bigtime - flavors that don't blend well - I'll rinse out the old juice, but I still re-use the same bottle. I'll bet I've used the same little bottle in a couple of my REOs for over two years without changing bottles. Anyway, they get softer, and that's how I like them. Also, I don't have long fingernails, so that's never a concern for me.

When you get the RM2, you'll go through MORE juice (and more battery power) than you are now, I imagine. The Mini is one of my favorite REOs, BUT the REO Grand (which is not that much bigger) is way more convenient for constant use, and I use my Grands more than anything. You might start thinking about a Grand when you consider your next REO.....it's the workhorse of the pack. I always have a Mini or a Mini 2.1 in my purse, but I'm usually using a Grand. The 6ml bottle on the Grand is perfect, and the battery life is waaaaay better.

 

[AmandaD]

Thanks so much! Yeah, I realize a Grand is in my future, but I've spent so much money since I quit smoking I'll never, ever break even....

 

[AmandaD]

So I just wrapped my first ever coil - 28gauge kanthal on an 18 needle. 1.45 ohms - it started at 1.05 and I kept adding coils - still looking a little wonky - but will it do? I wanted to get 1.8 but I'm not sure I have enough room. Even with glasses on I could barely see what I was doing - got to dig out the magnifiers for this sort of thing I guess! I only bought 3 ft of 28 gauge, because it was $1/foot. I have loads of 30 gauge though:

 

[thinkingaboutit]

So I just wrapped my first ever coil - 28gauge kanthal on an 18 needle. 1.45 ohms - it started at 1.05 and I kept adding coils - still looking a little wonky - but will it do? I wanted to get 1.8 but I'm not sure I have enough room. Even with glasses on I could barely see what I was doing - got to dig out the magnifiers for this sort of thing I guess! I only bought 3 ft of 28 gauge, because it was $1/foot. I have loads of 30 gauge though:

That's a great looking first attempt! 1.45 should be pretty nice, try it. I haven't used anything but 30ga and am plenty happy. I'd lowerthe one you have if you want a little more flavor. SuperX is the man when it comes to placement on every axis. He posted pics recently of that.

 

[Miarose]

I can tell how much thinner the original mini's are while holding them in my hand compared to the 2.1's. I press the button with my thumb on all my mini's holding the air hole up or opposite my thumb depending on which way my rm2 is facing. And I actually will turn my reo in my hand, even while driving, and squonk using my thumb. I have small hands/fingers too, and long nails, and this seems to work out best for me.

 

[AmandaD]

Holy cow, I just put cotton wick in the RM2 - this thing is incredible - just wow....I wonder if non reo people know what they're missing out on And it's SO much easier to squonk with this than with the little 306! I'm in love

 

[ancient puffer]

Congratulations on the mini and the RM2! It sounds like it's working for ya.

I've been using grands for quite a while now, but as I recall, you should get a good 3 to 4 hours from the mini 14500's. Are the batteries new? And are they AW IMR's? (the red ones) If not, that may be why you need to carry 4 with you. (It sounds like a grand is definitely in your future and, if so, try to make do with the 14500's you have, you'll need 18650's for a grand.)

And we won't look for any more responses from you for a while now, you're likely well into your first nic coma, but don't worry, it'll wear off

 

[AmandaD]

How did you know I was happily slipping into a nic coma??? Yes, tis true. But before I pass out, I have 2 of the good batts, and 2 black ones. Probably not new at all, which means another order from RTD.

Back to my coma inducing Twas Brillig... but what a way to go

(p.s. the good news is that I thought I might need to buy a supply of 18mg for my trip next week where I won't be able to vape much. Clearly that won't be a problem once I learn to stealth vape with this baby!)

(pps I have 18450s for the ext on the provari mini - can't I use those for anything?)

Congratulations on the mini and the RM2! It sounds like it's working for ya.

I've been using grands for quite a while now, but as I recall, you should get a good 3 to 4 hours from the mini 14500's. Are the batteries new? And are they AW IMR's? (the red ones) If not, that may be why you need to carry 4 with you. (It sounds like a grand is definitely in your future and, if so, try to make do with the 14500's you have, you'll need 18650's for a grand.)

And we won't look for any more responses from you for a while now, you're likely well into your first nic coma, but don't worry, it'll wear off

 

[ancient puffer]

How do we know? Um....

As for the batteries, you might try testing about 30 minutes after they finish charging (giving them time to "settle"), and again, when you replace them. That will give you a feel for how good a charge they're taking, and how far down you're draining them (a lot of us switch them out at about 3.8-3.9 volts, just because the warmth and flavor begins to wane. New batteries should show about 4.19-4.21 when freshly charged.

And we do hope your borogoves are all mimsy

 

[AmandaD]

I only have an ohm meter with a testing side for ego batteries, so I guess I'll need to get something to test the batteries!

Happily gyring and gimbling in the wabe

 

[TastyKakes]

So I just wrapped my first ever coil - 28gauge kanthal on an 18 needle. 1.45 ohms - it started at 1.05 and I kept adding coils - still looking a little wonky - but will it do? I wanted to get 1.8 but I'm not sure I have enough room. Even with glasses on I could barely see what I was doing - got to dig out the magnifiers for this sort of thing I guess! I only bought 3 ft of 28 gauge, because it was $1/foot. I have loads of 30 gauge though:

$1/foot? Someone is ripping you off big time. Order from temco: you could've gotten about 25' for the same price... live and learn.
Not a bad first attempt at all, but could definitely use some tightening up. Dry fire it a few times and squeeze with tweezers/pliers to get all the coils touching (if it is a micro coil you're after).
Also, it's kinda hard to count how many wraps that is on my phone but it looks to be ~15. If you're aiming for a 1.5-1.8ohm coil, the 30g you already have would work better. That 28g monster probably has a lot of lag trying to be heated with a smaller battery, IMO.
One last note: I would bring the coil out closer to the edge of the deck to get it as close to the air hole as possible without touching the top cap - greatly improves flavor and vapor production.
All that said, I'm glad you're enjoying the Reo experience. Trust me when I say, it only gets better from here on out. Little modifications here and there will take an already incredible experience to other-worldly.
Sorry, that got very long winded - loaded 12mg juice in my grand this morning and have been winging ever since. Welcome and enjoy

 

[AmandaD]

I actually threw that one away and made a new one because it got messed up with my first attempt at inserting the cotton. I ended up with 10 wraps of 28 gauge. That said, I'm excited to make new ones. But - oh my eyes - this stuff is tiny - and 30 gauge.....

All advice needed and welcome! I never, ever thought a month ago I would make a coil. But then I looked at all the chainmaille bracelets I used to make and realized making coils was nothing compared to that LOL So I put on my big girl panties and went for it - now I just need to find that huge magnifying thing I know I have stashed somewhere...

 

[SeaNap]

It's great to hear that your lovin the new set up! I only have a few things to add; If you haven't already give the REO a deep clean, I like to take everything apart that I can (which isn't much) remove bottle tube button spring... anything with a screw and give it a hot soapy bath (personally I fill a gladware container w/ hot water add some dish soap and throw everything in except the batt and cover and shake). Also, you may want to give the firing pin a little file.

Your coil is lookin good, hows it vape? Personally I don't like more than 11 wraps (subjective) with a sweetspot around 7-9 wraps. That being said, if you're trying to hit 1.8ohm I would use 30awg or maybe even 32. The thicker the wire the longer it takes to heat which is usually compensated by lowering the ohms (increasing the power). I have found that 28awg is great for .7 - 1.2 ohm coils. The beauty of it is that this is very subjective so what works for me may not work for you, so just keep building all sorts of different coils and experiment with what you like the best. And I will parrot ThinkingAboutIt, SuperX is the man when it comes to coils and coil placements.



(ps I have a Grand and it lasts me 12hr EASY with 6ml and 1600mah 18650's)

 

[Miarose]

It's great to hear that your lovin the new set up! I only have a few things to add; If you haven't already give the REO a deep clean, I like to take everything apart that I can (which isn't much) remove bottle tube button spring... anything with a screw and give it a hot soapy bath (personally I fill a gladware container w/ hot water add some dish soap and throw everything in except the batt and cover and shake). Also, you may want to give the firing pin a little file.

Your coil is lookin good, hows it vape? Personally I don't like more than 11 wraps (subjective) with a sweetspot around 7-9 wraps. That being said, if you're trying to hit 1.8ohm I would use 30awg or maybe even 32. The thicker the wire the longer it takes to heat which is usually compensated by lowering the ohms (increasing the power). I have found that 28awg is great for .7 - 1.2 ohm coils. The beauty of it is that this is very subjective so what works for me may not work for you, so just keep building all sorts of different coils and experiment with what you like the best. And I will parrot ThinkingAboutIt, SuperX is the man when it comes to coils and coil placements.



(ps I have a Grand and it lasts me 12hr EASY with 6ml and 1600mah 18650's)

If only the grand was as tiny as the mini

 

[AmandaD]

I wish!

[/B]

If only the grand was as tiny as the mini

And, yes I'm going to try 30 gauge wire next time. This doesn't heat up instaneously, although the vape seems delicious. But I have no other RDA to compare And, I just took out the cotton and had to throw it away (charred!) and dry burn the coil - it was all gunked up and nasty

 

[Ian444]

8 turns of 30 gauge on a 1/16" drill bit will give around 1.7 ohms on a RM2, its easy on batteries and gives good vapor and flavor, that would be a good starting point - basically what SeaNap said

ETA - REOmizer 2 / RM2 / RBA 2.0 Build To Get You Started - YouTube