Rebuildables - Materials to Use

Status
Not open for further replies.

newvap4me

Full Member
Verified Member
Jul 23, 2013
69
42
Pasadena, CA, USA
Hello,

I am new to rebuildables, and have a good understanding of resisBest Materials To Use tance, volts and watts. I am trying to understand the different materials to build an atty and wick. I have have read about Ekowool silica, Kanthal wire and Mesh, but still a little unclear as to what to use.


What type of Ekowool should I use hollow or braided?
What diameter is good to make an atty, 1, 2, or 3?

What gauge Kanthal wire, 32?
Is it better to use Kanthal Ribbon?

What type of stainless steel mesh, 316?
Is 400 or 500 better for attys?

Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Can you please also explain why in any of the responses?

Thanks:)
 

vapdivrr

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jul 8, 2012
9,966
19,933
61
sarasota,fl
Hello,

I am new to rebuildables, and have a good understanding of resisBest Materials To Use tance, volts and watts. I am trying to understand the different materials to build an atty and wick. I have have read about Ekowool silica, Kanthal wire and Mesh, but still a little unclear as to what to use.


What type of Ekowool should I use hollow or braided?
What diameter is good to make an atty, 1, 2, or 3?

What gauge Kanthal wire, 32?
Is it better to use Kanthal Ribbon?

What type of stainless steel mesh, 316?
Is 400 or 500 better for attys?

Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Can you please also explain why in any of the responses?

Thanks:)

what type of atty are you rebuilding? dripper, genesis?
 

greenman

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 13, 2010
312
95
45
Maryland
I use 500 mesh in all my gennys because I feel it wicks my high vg juices easier then 400 or lower and have been using mainly cotton balls for my dripper wicks. I have to change them out once a day but I much prefer the flavor over silica. I use mainly 28 and 30 nichrome but I vape in the .7 .9 Range most of the time where the higher ohm crowd seems to go more for the 32 and up. You'll need a multimeter so you don't end up on in the hospital and or news if your using unprotected batts. I've only used ribbon a couple of times and haven't really decided how I feel about it so maybe someone who has more experience can comment more on wire.
 
Last edited:

Mitey F

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 6, 2013
1,043
862
Michigan, yearning for home
I use 500 mesh in all my gennys because I feel it wicks my high vg juices easier then 400 or lower and have been using mainly cotton balls for my dripper wicks. I have to change them out once a day but I much prefer the flavor over silica. I use mainly 28 and 30 nichrome but I vape in the .7 .9 Range most of the time where the higher ohm crowd seems to go more for the 32 and up. You'll need a multimeter so you don't end up on in the hospital and or news if your using unprotected batts. I've only used ribbon a couple of times and haven't really decided how I feel about it so maybe someone who has more experience can comment more on wire.

:facepalm:

No, you just need to be careful. I throw a multimeter on my coils when I'm trying something new just out of curiosity, but otherwise, it's really just for kicks. You don't NEED a multimeter
 

SilverZero

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jul 20, 2013
684
586
Illinois, USA
:facepalm:

No, you just need to be careful. I throw a multimeter on my coils when I'm trying something new just out of curiosity, but otherwise, it's really just for kicks. You don't NEED a multimeter

You don't NEED car insurance either if you never get in an accident. Still a good idea to have it.

Just my :2c:.
 

greenman

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 13, 2010
312
95
45
Maryland
:facepalm:

No, you just need to be careful. I throw a multimeter on my coils when I'm trying something new just out of curiosity, but otherwise, it's really just for kicks. You don't NEED a multimeter


Sorry but I would NEVER even suggest not using a multimeter to anybody just starting out rebuilding. Just like you would use one when trying something new, this is going to be kinda like that for them. Lol.
 

newvap4me

Full Member
Verified Member
Jul 23, 2013
69
42
Pasadena, CA, USA
Hi Everybody,

Thanks for the responses about the multimeter -LOL, and yes I already have one. Also, I do know how to use it.
Now I forgot to ask in my initial question do I also need to preburn the wick just like the mesh? I seen some videos and they only showed to preburn/oxidize the mesh.

Thanks for any additional responses hopefully I will have more clarity.
 

greenman

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 13, 2010
312
95
45
Maryland
Hi Everybody,

Thanks for the responses about the multimeter -LOL, and yes I already have one. Also, I do know how to use it.
Now I forgot to ask in my initial question do I also need to preburn the wick just like the mesh? I seen some videos and they only showed to preburn/oxidize the mesh.

Thanks for any additional responses hopefully I will have more clarity.

Lol, no problem. Just torch your silica until it glows white for a few seconds and you should be good to go. Good luck!
 

CloudZ

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Nov 21, 2012
973
483
Minneapolis, MN
What RDA do you have? What mod?

In general, you can't go wrong with some 30 gauge kanthal and 2 mm silica wick, doubled over and coiled to about 1.3 ohms. Get that working well then try other things like exotic wick material and ribbon wire. Then you will have a baseline to figure out if the other things are worth it.

-- Sent from my Android phone --
 

BobC

Reformed Squonker
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jul 11, 2013
4,415
16,202
Downtown Charleston, SC
Disregard this statement, you need a multi-meter and should always test your builds as a matter of prudence
:facepalm:

No, you just need to be careful. I throw a multimeter on my coils when I'm trying something new just out of curiosity, but otherwise, it's really just for kicks. You don't NEED a multimeter
 

Mitey F

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 6, 2013
1,043
862
Michigan, yearning for home
Disregard this statement, you need a multi-meter and should always test your builds as a matter of prudence

Are you the kind of guy that gets ready to go to work every day and goes out to his car, checks the oil, pressure at all 4 tires, all signal lights and headlights, then gets in and adjusts the seat, adjusts the mirrors, and drives within one mph of the speed limit the whole way?
 

BuzzKilla

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Nov 4, 2010
2,036
2,152
Etobicoke, Ontario
www.graindeep.etsy.com
Are you the kind of guy that gets ready to go to work every day and goes out to his car, checks the oil, pressure at all 4 tires, all signal lights and headlights, then gets in and adjusts the seat, adjusts the mirrors, and drives within one mph of the speed limit the whole way?

honestly.... saying a multi-meter is "optional" for someone who never used a rebuildable is just plain STUPID.
exercising caution about something that can potentially blow up 3 inches from your face, is ALWAYS a good idea.
do us all a favour and stop giving bad advice...

a multi meter will also detect a dead sort in an atty, so even if he builds it right the atty itself may be faulty.
A dead short can be a big risk to a newby that doesn't know what they are looking at.

a lot of responsibility comes with giving someone advice, so watch what you post on the forums. someone with less knowledge may read it and assume that a multi-meter is not needed.

:facepalm:
 

B1sh0p

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Aug 30, 2013
943
1,239
Chicago
to the OP,

if you tell us what mod you are using and what atty you had in mind, we can suggest a starting point for you.

:toast:

Not to hijack the OP's thread, but I have an MVP. I'd like to start with a tank style atty that I can carry everywhere and not worry about leaking in my bag. Not really looking to go sub ohm until i get a new PV. Eventually, I'd like to get a Reo and RDA, but what would you suggest for me now?
 

BuzzKilla

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Nov 4, 2010
2,036
2,152
Etobicoke, Ontario
www.graindeep.etsy.com
Not to hijack the OP's thread, but I have an MVP. I'd like to start with a tank style atty that I can carry everywhere and not worry about leaking in my bag. Not really looking to go sub ohm until i get a new PV. Eventually, I'd like to get a Reo and RDA, but what would you suggest for me now?

to be honest, something on the lines of a pro-tank would fit on there nicely.
most rebuildable tanks end up just being too wide for something like the MVP, so i wouldn't use one.

but if you really want to get into the rebuildable realm, start off with an RSST.
hollow wick, but still snug in the wick hole - 400/500 ss mesh. (400 works fine for my 50/50 blends)
5 or 6 wraps - 30 gauge kanthal (should put you in the 1.5ohm range, but check it to make sure)
and keep the fill plug in.
this is just how i would do it....

there are many videos on youtube that show the process of torching and wraping coils so i wont get into that.

if you roll the mesh around a thin pin/paperclip you should get enough air flow to lets the air in the tank but not enough that juice will start leaking out, if you leave it laying on its side for a while. ie: in your bag

The RSST looks nice on almost everything, and it will help you get into geni style tanks without too much cost or frustration, because of the way the wick is insulated in the tank.
 

ScottP

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Apr 9, 2013
6,393
18,809
Houston, TX
Not to hijack the OP's thread, but I have an MVP. I'd like to start with a tank style atty that I can carry everywhere and not worry about leaking in my bag. Not really looking to go sub ohm until i get a new PV. Eventually, I'd like to get a Reo and RDA, but what would you suggest for me now?

If you can wait a couple of weeks the V2 Fogger might fit that bill. It is a bottom coil RBA that operates on the same principles as the ProTank/EVOD but in a larger true RBA format. I wouldn't suggest the V1 Fogger it had some design flaws that should be fixed in the V2.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread