Reo VV - A major modification

[CaptSteve]

I have this raw VV Grand which I don't use because I've switched to vaping mostly duals and the VV chip can't really handle it with it's 15 watt limit. Since it's sitting around doing nothing I decided to modify it to something useful as well as unique and really elegant.

I decided to take off the 510 base and level it to the top of the mod so I can install a 22mm fat daddy 510 BF flush fitted in a wooden inlay which will be milled in the top. My thoughts for this is that I want a combination of brushed aluminum and fine wood inlays to complete the final look. As for the interior I'm still undecided if I make this a DNA30 or an 18650 mechanical mod. I'm leaning towards a DNA30 but I'm gonna cross that bridge when I reach it.

My next steps will be to mill the sides, top and back to take the wooden inlays which will be almost the whole width of each surface so I can install wooden inlays at about the same thickness of the Reo door. I also have a great idea about the door which I'll also inlay with wood in parts.

This project will take time so I'll keep posting some pictures every now and then of the progress and as always your great ideas and suggestions are not only welcome but very much needed.

Steve

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Test fitting the 510 connector which will be flush fit in the wood inlay after milling

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[CaptSteve]

The wooden inlays will be with done using this Maple Burl which I just found

 

[Rickajho]

Steve did you happen to see this DNA20 install done by Yerakon? => http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/reos-mods/584809-dna20-inside-reo-grand.html

And you have all the spare room to work with inside a VV body.

If you are gonna toss out your old VV Grand electronic guts can I have 'em?

 

[Bigflyrodder]

Wow, is that cool Steve. Keep us posted as the build comes along, looks super so far!

 

[MotherNatural]

Can't wait to see what you do with this!!!

 

[Rat2chat2]

This is so cool. Look forward to seeing your progress through to the finish.

 

[CaptSteve]

Thanks Rick I did see that DNA grand a while ago.

The guts of the VV sadly I've promised to someone else who's VV Grand died and he's a single coiler. In fact he's the one who gave me the idea to do this because he was bugging me to sell him my VV Grand. So I found a compromise to keep my Grand shell and just give him the electronics

 

[CaptSteve]

The milling is under way .................... just wondering if I bit off more than I can chew

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[Filthy-Beast]

The milling is under way .................... just wondering if I bit off more than I can chew

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Judging by your other work, I think not. Slow and steady, measures twice and all that.

 

[Alamedean]

Looking good Capt'n. You should video your work and have your own Mod channel.

 

[CaptSteve]

Looking good Capt'n. You should video your work and have your own Mod channel.

Sadly I only have "behind the camera" skills but I always admire those guys like Super_X and others doing the vids.

 

[Raynman]

Looking good so far, I'll be waiting for the completely done product.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Great googly-boogly, capt. You're on a modding tear.

This sounds like an amazing project. I'm all

 

[oplholik]

Great idea! Looking forward to following this. It should be a beauty.

 

[Rickajho]

Thanks Rick I did see that DNA grand a while ago.

The guts of the VV sadly I've promised to someone else who's VV Grand died and he's a single coiler. In fact he's the one who gave me the idea to do this because he was bugging me to sell him my VV Grand. So I found a compromise to keep my Grand shell and just give him the electronics

No problem - they found a home that needs 'em and that's what is important. I was just hoping to save them from the trash can (for me) for a backup.

Yerakon's mod just might refresh your memory and give you a few ideas how you want to approach this. I really like how he handled the switch!

 

[Quigsworth]

The milling is under way .................... just wondering if I bit off more than I can chew

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You've got the exact same x-y table as me...not a bad piece of gear eh?...just a tip...on those long tedious left/right runs (cause you're only just shaving it right )...pop the plastic cap off (opposite of the crank end) and you'll see an 11mm nyloc nut....grab a drill to socket adapter and an 11mm socket and use your batt drill...it's a serious wrist saver and you'll get a cleaner cut.

Just my ...skip the DNA...you'll spend a bunch of time wedging it in there...it'll invariably pop, then you'll be PO'd...you've got the real estate, go mech...I've got this mech switch thing down I can send you some detailed pic's of how I do it, the trick is brass rod/pressed in brass sleeve...the action just glides...plus you'll have room to put in a fuse/fuse holder....but again just my

Man!...I can't wait Capt...I'll get to see what I didn't do...it's probably going to look waaay better than my brass inlays and I'm going to be totally jealous and then I'll have to add you along with Turbo to the list of guys I hate

...another guy in Reoville goin' up to the bigs...Woot!

 

[CaptSteve]

You've got the exact same x-y table as me...not a bad piece of gear eh?...just a tip...on those long tedious left/right runs (cause you're only just shaving it right )...pop the plastic cap off (opposite of the crank end) and you'll see an 11mm nyloc nut....grab a drill to socket adapter and an 11mm socket and use your batt drill...it's a serious wrist saver and you'll get a cleaner cut.

Just my ...skip the DNA...you'll spend a bunch of time wedging it in there...it'll invariably pop, then you'll be PO'd...you've got the real estate, go mech...I've got this mech switch thing down I can send you some detailed pic's of how I do it, the trick is brass rod/pressed in brass sleeve...the action just glides...plus you'll have room to put in a fuse/fuse holder....but again just my

Man!...I can't wait Capt...I'll get to see what I didn't do...it's probably going to look waaay better than my brass inlays and I'm going to be totally jealous and then I'll have to add you along with Turbo to the list of guys I hate

...another guy in Reoville goin' up to the bigs...Woot!

Thanks for the great tip Quigs I'll try the drill thing for sure because I have a lot of those passes to do. As you saw on the table I had to design custom holding blocks for the Grand because the stock one's didn't reach

As far as the DNA I probably will skip it and opt to go mechanical which I much prefer anyway. I'm interested to see your button design although I thought of installing a stainless momentary switch. I've also ordered some 1' delrin sheet as well to mill some internal parts so I'll see how it goes.
I'm planning to do some Google sketchup plans in 3D as to how I'll design the interior setup. I already have the Reo bottle and the 18650 battery in exact dimensions in Sketchup so it helps to visualize and measure what goes where and how much room is left.

I have to put the project of hold for three days as I'm leaving on a flight but I'll have the time to do the sketchup designs at least.

Thanks for your help pal

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Man, you guys are wizards. Crazy mad skillz.

This is much better than HGTV.

 

[Quigsworth]

Thanks for the great tip Quigs I'll try the drill thing for sure because I have a lot of those passes to do. As you saw on the table I had to design custom holding blocks for the Grand because the stock one's didn't reach

As far as the DNA I probably will skip it and opt to go mechanical which I much prefer anyway. I'm interested to see your button design although I thought of installing a stainless momentary switch. I've also ordered some 1' delrin sheet as well to mill some internal parts so I'll see how it goes.
I'm planning to do some Google sketchup plans in 3D as to how I'll design the interior setup. I already have the Reo bottle and the 18650 battery in exact dimensions in Sketchup so it helps to visualize and measure what goes where and how much room is left.

I have to put the project of hold for three days as I'm leaving on a flight but I'll have the time to do the sketchup designs at least.

Thanks for your help pal

I noticed your lock down solution...I like it...another handy Proxon gizmo is their mini drill press vice...it's super nice quality and it's like it was build for the table...but it's not cheap, I think it was $60 or something?

If you're going to draw this up in Sketch-up can you send me the .skp and .skb files (I'll give you my email address)...I spend a lot of time on Sketch-up and I'll see how I could configure my mech switch method to work with your FD 510 (I typically hybrid which makes it a no brainer but I run FD's on what used to be my functioning DNA mods so I'll soon have the "opportunity" to gut the semiconductors and transform it into a "real" mod ...it's engineering around that floating center pin that poses the challenge) I was thinking about it while stuck in traffic and I think if I jumped from the floating pin to the contact strip with a piece of stranded (another option is make a threaded floating center pin for the FD), either/or...if you like the design and you want to give it a try I'll send you one of my 30A contacts and the brass tube/rod so you don't have to hunt the crap down.

 

[CaptSteve]

Thanks Quigs it would be great to have you check out my sketchup plans and see what you come up with. Send me your email with a PM and when I have them done I'll send you the file. Yours truly sadly left the house without taking the paper I wrote down all the dimensions of the VV Grand and only thing I have with me is my LP Grand (and of course no calipers) so I have no clue how I'm gonna do the sketchup with the right dimensions. So I may just make the sketchup plan from memory with no correct dimensions and then do it again with the right dimensions when I get home. Anyhow when I have the right .skp file I'll send it to you for sure.

I just received today (sadly after I left) the new FD extended BF kits with some new FD 22mm floating pin 510's and I have an idea for modding his floating pin design for BF use.
I just need to examine the new longer feed tubes and see if I can dill his floating pin, leave the spring in there and adapt the longer feed tube in the bottom of the assembly that screws into the 510. when I get back home I'll take some pictures of what I mean and show you.

I've seen the proxxon drill press and I agree it looks nice but I have my sights on this little toy because my makeshift milling machine - aka drill press is having problems and I may need to either get a new one or just stop milling with it. It's a cheap harbor freight china drill press anyway.

There is this as well but it's like 4 times the price

Oh please don't get me going now with all the stuff on my wishlist because it's long and distinguished