Risk in drilling holes in cartos?

[Randy C]

I continually read about folks drilling holes, or using Dremel tools to cut holes/slots in their cartomizers, rather than punching them. I wouldn't dare do this out of concern that metal dust might end up inside the cartomizer; posing a potential inhalation risk of this material. I didn't quit smoking analogs to introduce metal dust into my lungs.

My question is this: When manufacturers drill holes in cartomizers, do they drill them BEFORE they are loaded with filler material, or after? I'd like to think they rinse the cartomizer cases after drilling- as a safety precaution....

Does anyone know for sure?

 

[passerbyeus]

The holes are drilled during production of the tube. There are no dust or metal particles in the filler.

 

[Randy C]

The holes are drilled during production of the tube. There are no dust or metal particles in the filler.

Glad to hear this; I hope your info is correct. I get concerned with quality standards, especially with so many knock-off companies out there...

 

[Randy C]

I guess I also wonder why so many people drill and dremal without regard to the risk???

 

[irwink]

I guess I also wonder why so many people drill and dremal without regard to the risk???

Since any metal filings would have to first be vaporized before they could be inhaled I fail to see the risk.

 

[kingcobra]

Well the same way you can get juice in your mouth I guess. You would presumably suck up the filings with the vapor.

Good old hammer and finishing nail does the trick for me. There does seem to be a certain amount of skill involved though, if you make the hole too big it floods, but if it isn't big enough you don't get enough juice. The holes they come with are way too small though.

 

[itsadogslife]

I was doing this - the hammer and nail thing. But I'm so bad with my hand eye coordination, I guess.
I kept making the holes the wrong size and ruining the cart.

I switched to stardusts - they're alot easier in my opinion...

Well the same way you can get juice in your mouth I guess. You would presumably suck up the filings with the vapor.

Good old hammer and finishing nail does the trick for me. There does seem to be a certain amount of skill involved though, if you make the hole too big it floods, but if it isn't big enough you don't get enough juice. The holes they come with are way too small though.

 

[SissySpike]

I don't think drilling would create dust shavings are a more accurate description. I wish I could drill my carts! But a drill press is not practical as I live in my Travel trailer for work most of the year. Drilling I could be very consistent with my hole size. and zero deformation of the cart. I just dont see any minute shavings ending up in your lungs.
Ive inhaled gobs of metal dust (Cough Cough) over the years (cough cough) when grinding at work (cough cough) Never hurt me any

 

[itsadogslife]

hahaha!

(cough cough)

I don't think drilling would create dust shavings are a more accurate description. I wish I could drill my carts! But a drill press is not practical as I live in my Travel trailer for work most of the year. Drilling I could be very consistent with my hole size. and zero deformation of the cart. I just dont see any minute shavings ending up in your lungs.
Ive inhaled gobs of metal dust (Cough Cough) over the years (cough cough) when grinding at work (cough cough) Never hurt me any

 

[Randy C]

Since any metal filings would have to first be vaporized before they could be inhaled I fail to see the risk.

I'm just a bit inquisitive?? How would metal shavings vaporize?

 

[Randy C]

I don't think drilling would create dust shavings are a more accurate description. I wish I could drill my carts! But a drill press is not practical as I live in my Travel trailer for work most of the year. Drilling I could be very consistent with my hole size. and zero deformation of the cart. I just dont see any minute shavings ending up in your lungs.
Ive inhaled gobs of metal dust (Cough Cough) over the years (cough cough) when grinding at work (cough cough) Never hurt me any

This would just concern me a wee little bit...

 

[irwink]

I'm just a bit inquisitive?? How would metal shavings vaporize?

That's the point. They wouldn't.

 

[Absintheur]

easy solution....

 

[Wishdog]

That's the point. They wouldn't.

Wrong!!!!!

You just have to get to around 5400 degrees.
What is the melting point and boiling point of steel

 

[Joe_13]

I'm not a metallurgist, ... but I play one on TV.
I think the risk is minimal relative to what you are already inhaling. Since the tube is being heated at the same temperature, it would be vaporizing too wouldn't it? As for the shavings, it would be at the bottom of an inch of filler. The shavings would be unlikely to travel all the way up into your mouth.
I could see the appeal of using a drill or slotting, because the hole size is easier to control, and reduces the risk of deforming the tube and creating a tank leak.

 

[AttyPops]

Um... don't some use plastic cartos?

(Cycle question around again)

lol

 

[Caridwen]

Moved to cartomizer discussion

 

[zoiDman]

The thing I’m glad about is that the Atomizer Wire in a Carto Isn’t made of Metal.

Because when things get Hot enough to Vaporize the Metal Shavings, and as mentioned the Carto Body, it would be Hot enough to Vaporize a Metal Atomizer Wire.

Thank God that Atomizer Wires are made from Alloyed Military Grade Baloneium.

 

[Randy C]

Wrong!!!!!

You just have to get to around 5400 degrees.
What is the melting point and boiling point of steel

I'm not making my point clear. I have ZERO concerns about metal vaporizing; My concern is that metal filings (or dust) could be inhaled if one were to drill a hole or Dremal a slot into a carto prior to using!

 

[Randy C]

easy solution....

Agreed! I'm just calling out the risky behavior of drilling/Dremal-ing.