RBA Questions

[bogeyjim]

OK, I think I'm finally going to take the RBA plunge. I see all these videos of cool mods and they all have RBA's on them.

I've always been scared of RBA's because of the rebuilding aspect. I'm not sure why, I'm pretty handy. I completely rebuilt a 1982 Yamaha motorcycle, surely I can rebuild an atomizer!

Soooo, I've done a lot of research but still have a couple questions. Is there a thread somewhere that explains everything I need to know in detail?

What gauge wire do I buy? Kanthal silica wrap is what I should use? I don't have an ohm tester, but will my multimeter work here?

In your opinion what is the best rba to buy as my first rba? And are the entry level ones that much easier to use than the Kayfun or Genesis stuff I've been reading about?

Phew sorry for all the questions! I'd really like to stop punching carts and futzing around with tanks etc.... This seems to be the way to go.

The only replacement parts are coils and wicks?? The rest will last a long time? If that's the case it also seems like a cheaper alternative as well as not having to wait for atty's, tanks, and carts in the mail!

Thanks in advance

Jim

 

[Chadastrophic]

Watch pbusardo vids on the rsst.

I can't say I learned everything thing I needed to know in 1 vid, just watched a ton and put it all together. Also check out riptrippers newer vids. He has one about where to get all the supplies.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[vicflo]

if you dont have an ohmeter or device that can read a full range of resistances your multimeter will work... just wont be as easy unless you make a rig of some sort. depending on your setup coils can actually last you a good while, more so if you rotate several. wicks you can just pull out and replace if its not too tight a fit (which isnt that great for wicking either). but yeh 100ft of kanthal for $9 shipped and a bag of cotton for $2.50 should last you a real long time. 28awg and 30/32awg is good starting point.

since you seem like a handy guy it really is easier than it looks. +1 for watching all the youtube videos you can. many different styles to choose from.

i personally prefer LR w/ cotton wicks as opposed to sub-ohm with silica/ekowool.

 

[Baditude]

+ 1 for the Smoktech RSST RBA. Said to be the easiest to learn on.

Below is an information resource for RBA's in general that you should find helpful:

Information Resources for Your First RBA

 

[toddrhodes]

I learned on a KFL clone. Did my 3rd coil last night not because I had to, but because I just kind of wanted to. It's really pretty neat to watch it all work when you've got it right. Yesterday's coil was my best yet by far, 9 wraps of 30 awg kanthal wrapped around a 1/16th drill bit, came out to 2.2 ohms. Threaded some organic cotton through it and, all in all it probably took me 15 minutes total from the time I emptied the RBA to the time I had a new juice in on the new setup and was vaping away. I highly recommend it, but only if you can really trust your meter. Otherwise an ohm checker can be had for $25 or thereabouts. Good luck!

 

[tj99959]

I would venture to say that you should know what you like by now, so what is it that you would want to replicate with your RBA?

I ask that because I already knew the vape I wanted, and just wanted to be able to have the same should the FDA come down on us with a heavy foot when I first started looking into RDA's. What I found was that I could make an A7 (Pegasus) vape the same as the 510 type atties I was already using, but the Phoenix type (with their side air hole) was a completely different vaping experience.
So it boiled down to did I want something different, or did I want something that vaped the same.

Then there are the basic questions. Do you want a tank system, a bottom feeder, or a dripper? Do you like an airy draw, or a tighter draw? What are your preferences for TH, flavor, and vapor?

 

[MiamiMom63]

You will find different types of wire and wick are great for different types of coils, depending on what you want to use. I think the easier rebuildables are the rebuildable dripping atomizers. I still think it's more difficult to learn the genesis style rebuildables and need to practice more. I tend to prefer the .5mm ribbon wire with 9 wraps (microcoil version) and slide a piece of cotton in it after the coil is built. And I'm a grandma so if you built motorcycles, this will be a piece of cake! I too have watched lots of videos of all different types of builds. It's way cheaper to be able to build your own coils and as you said, it no longer makes you a prisoner to ordering clearos, etc., online. Plus it's so much fun trying new builds and new ways of making them. I would mainly recommend that you do not do sub-ohm coils until you really know what all you are doing as they require different types of mods and batteries. Stick to at least 1.8 ohm or higher coils for awhile. Have Fun!

 

[bogeyjim]

Wow thanks for the replies thus far!

I guess what I'm looking for is an RBA tank system as I don't want to fill it throughout the day. One fill and good for 8 hours

Also cost is a concern. It seems like I can keep the RBA going as long as I want so long as I have wick material and coils right? Would be nice to invest in a couple up front and then just rebuild them instead of having to order all new atomizers for clearos, boge carts, etc, etc..

Gah! I just don't know where to begin.. Been watching videos on this all day though

 

[MiamiMom63]

I first started building coils by rebuilding my vivi novas. If you are currently using some type of clearomizer with replaceable heads, you can rebuild them and sort of get the feel of it before taking the plunge and buying an RBA. There are tons of youtubes for rebuilding all different kinds of atomizer heads. They are all basically the same principal to doing it.

 

[Thrasher]

you need to be in the rba forums, find a style you like and see whats available.

you want a reliable tank there is always the kayfun style, im sure 4+ml will last 8 hours

a couple nice cheapo drippers are always worth having around as well

i love the kayfun style and genesis tanks.


wire and wick is pretty cheap in bulk and last a long long time.

 

[EddardinWinter]

+ 1 for the Smoktech RSST RBA. Said to be the easiest to learn on.

Below is an information resource for RBA's in general that you should find helpful:

Information Resources for Your First RBA

I second this!

I learned on an RSST, and it is a great first RBA.

Get you the silver-plated center post to go with it. They are like five dollars, and well worth it.

 

[DrillRX]

These are fun to build on an RDA.

It's a dual coil with 32 gauge double twisted nichrome wire.

It measures about 1.25 ohms

I use nichrome because I can torch it with a little more heat without it melting than I can with kanthol.

 

[Vaslovik]

I learned on an AGA-T2 and it was a good teacher. It was a very cantankerous device full of nasty little tricks, and at times I was sure it hated me and was trying to drive me nuts, but I got it down pat at a certain point, and forced it to behave. Some time later I got an RSST, and OH WOW! What a dream RBA!

I set mine up with a 400 mesh wick, rolled tight and solid, 28g kanthal wrapped 4/3 at .8 ohm and when I get up in the morning and sit down with my coffee to wake up my vape is good to go for the morning, all morning long. I just sit here sipping my coffee and vaping along, enjoying great flavor and clouds of vapor.

I can't talk about K-Funs, the Russian, Z-atties, or the other high-end stuff, but if you just want a good vape that's easy to set up and doesn't give you problems the RSST is where it's at. It's also very nice if you don't want to have to drip juice into your atty all the time, and just want to vape on without that bother. The RSST is the 64 Chevy Impala of RBA's. You will not be sorry.

Make sure you have the right batteries and the means to check your ohms before going there.

sent from my VAX 11785 using OpenVMS 7.2-3

 

[emus]

I avoid models that require low resistance wires even though some look awesome.

 

[bogeyjim]

Thanks for the replies. So it looks like I'll start with the rsst.

I'll try and order today. Who has the best price on these things?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Thrasher]

I avoid models that require low resistance wires even though some look awesome.

not quite sure what you perceive here.
none of them require low resistance that is decided by the user.

I can run .8ohms on a mechanical and run that same atty just fine on a vv mod at 2 ohms

 

[EddardinWinter]

I got mine here...

SMOKTech RSST Rebuildable Atomizer

The price of 35 is pretty standard. I haven't seen much (if any) lower.


I say that, then I find this...

Hoosier Vapes
http://www................../Smoktech-RSST-RBA-wDrip-tip_p_196.html

Plan on drilling the air hole out to 1/16" that is a very popular size among RSST users.

 

[bogeyjim]

Thanks for the links, so I'll have to build a coil just to get started on this? I was hoping one would come installed so I can reverse engineer it while I make a new coil....

Hmmm... I still may have to get it as I really want a tank set up. Do these tanks accept juices that are known to ruin tanks?

 

[bogeyjim]

So the RSST needs wick and not silica coil? Or can it accept both?

 

[bogeyjim]

OK after more reading I dont think I'm gonna go with the RSST. I need something to bring to work, keep in my pocket, put in a desk, etc...

I guess these leak everywhere if not kept upright...

What do you recommend that wont leak?