Right tools for the job

[livingstonii]

So I'm a new rebuilder and I was just wondering what items you have found benifical to rebuilding my rba? Luckily I work at a scrapbooking warehouse so little tools are available to me but not ment for this type of stuff. So what tools or items help you rebuild that I maybe haven't thought about? I wanna try micro coils so I'm gonna get some drill bits to wrap around but is there something cheaper or better to use? Any help is appreciated. Keep vaping strong!

Sent from a valley of Mormons who will do anything to stop you from being happy

 

[State O' Flux]

Don't need much. Good scissors, small needle nose pliers, optics if your vision is sketchy, a DMM - or at minimum, a ohm reader, set of micro screwdrivers (shafts make good wire mandrels as well).
A lighter to anneal the wire. A small torch if you need to heat the wire for compressing - off the atty, or to burn silica clean... if you use silica for wick. Good lighting.

A small block of hardwood (or block of aluminum if you have one) - drill into it (near a corner) with your mandrel drill(s) deep enough so that the bit is snug - and place a small screw close to it for holding the coil tail - instant DIY coil making tool.
A square block is handy... different size drill bits in every corner - a 1mm, 1/16", 2mm, 2,5mm etc etc etc.

Some like to use machine screws for wrapping (if you're not making a "compressed coil")... just wrap the wire into the thread.

There's more "stuff"... but it's mostly just personal widgets that work for me. You'll figure out your own widgets in time.

 

[livingstonii]

Do you possibly have a pic of this block? I've got a pic in my head but I would like to see it. It sounds like it's right up my alley.

Sent from a valley of Mormons who will do anything to stop you from being happy

 

[State O' Flux]

Do you possibly have a pic of this block? I've got a pic in my head but I would like to see it. It sounds like it's right up my alley.

No... no camera. Sorry. Mine is just a 1.5" X 2.5" block of wood with the drill bits close... say, no more than 1/2" away from a corner and a few closer to 1/4" away. The screws, (or just a though hole) are very close to the drill bit and close to an edge as well.

The idea is by having the bit in a corner, you are holding the majority of the block in your hand for leverage... which comes in handy when you're wrapping 24ga wire.
Once you're done, you can unhook the tail from the screw (or through hole) and pull the drill bit and coil off as a set - and transfer it to the atty. ;-)

 

[armoworrior]

Just a 2x4 with small holes works. And maybe small helping hands clamps if you need more than two hands to set something up.

 

[BigLebowski]

Do you possibly have a pic of this block? I've got a pic in my head but I would like to see it. It sounds like it's right up my alley.

Sent from a valley of Mormons who will do anything to stop you from being happy

I live in a less religious area of Utah, Clearfield. Lots of vapers up here. Tweezers, eye glasses screw driver, 1/16 drill bit for wrapping microcoils on, nail clippers, ohm meter or mod with ohm meter, lots of patience. Good luck.

 

[State O' Flux]

Just a 2x4 with small holes works. And maybe small helping hands clamps if you need more than two hands to set something up.

Whatever works for you. No "Official coil wappers tool kit"... but give it time, the Chinese will clone the wooden block thing out of plastic.

I have an aluminum block too... a bit fancier, if you're into that sort of thing. For mandrels, stainless micro machine screws threaded into it, with the heads cut off and only the screw shoulders showing. Kinda overkill... but it was a slow day and I was bored.

 

[vapero]

I no longer use a drilbit for the job, I prefer to use the needle in the needle bottles, I feel it is easier and it has a smaller diameter (1.5 instead of 1.6 mm) like these

 

[super_X_drifter]

That is the best tool for wrapping. You get one by PMing darkzero.

It's pretty intuative, just put one end of the wire under that screw head, tighten it down and wrap around that mold / jig/ mandrel.

Here's a video where I use it to wrap a micro coil.
http://youtu.be/_XjH8lFurPk

 

[proraptor]

I use a 1.5mm hex driver fr9m my rc car days to wrap micro coils around. It makes the job very easy. I like the jigs like shown above but they wast too much wire imo. I have a two sided dental pick that I use to manipulate wires/wicks. Love the thing

 

[MattyB1503]

Cheaper than a drill bit?

RiP Tripper did a vid on rebuildable tools. I have to admit I did not watch the entire thing... but if you can stand his shenanigans, that's probably a good place to start.

 

[livingstonii]

This gives me a lot to think about. I would love a jig or whatever till I get the system down. I do not have a steady hand so any tools to help would be awesome. My work has all the scissors and pick tools I need. I'm gonna head after work to home Depot and let my imagination run wild. Probably make that wood block you were talking about. I love and hate this Valley. The ecig is catching on But it's more about just having one and look cool then to actually use this as the amazing digital smoker it is. How's the shops up that way? I've got one here I trust with my questions. Thanks everyone this helps a ton!

Sent from a valley of Mormons who will do anything to stop you from being happy

 

[State O' Flux]

Probably make that wood block you were talking about.

Make something from what ever is handy for you. Plastic, metal, wood, a petrified dog doo... just something solid to hold the bit and wire... that you can hold. ;-)

Even 24ga (annealed) is flexible enough to work with a DIY block. Only until you get into the really stiff stuff, like Rene 41 wire, will you'll need a new, "better" wrapping block, and maybe a vice.

 

[livingstonii]

Man my significant other is gonna hate me when I come home with all my stuff for this project. I'll just have to buy flowers or better yet, get something for her to do! Maybe she can paint my block.... Lol

Sent from a valley of Mormons who will do anything to stop you from being happy

 

[Jjshbetz11]

You can also get a new marking flag( used for marking property lines, phone lines ect.) and use the wire to wrap around. K.I.S.S

 

[State O' Flux]

Maybe she can "paint my block".... Lol

That code for, ah... something else?

 

[armoworrior]

there is this RBA Workbench with Rechargeable ohm meter

 

[proraptor]

there is this RBA Workbench with Rechargeable ohm meter

OMG I want this soooooo bad.......

 

[WattWick]

there is this RBA Workbench with Rechargeable ohm meter

Ooh now that's vape-geeking on a whole new level. Is it able to fire a coil? That would be the icing. Can't see myself purchasing one, but I can't help liking it.

 

[vapero]

if I get this my wife will surely kick me out of the house!