Silencing my Kayfun clone... a work in progress...

[CloudZ]

I recently bought an EHPro KFL+ V2, I like it for the most part but there are a few issues. One minor issue is wicking, I believe the channels need to be deepened a bit, but that's not my topic for this thread. The major issue is the sound... it whistles just enough to be annoying to me. It was pretty loud when I first got it, but after some adjustment and modification it has improved a lot, but still not enough. My cheapo KFL from fasttech doesn't whistle and I barely had to do anything to it to get it that way.

Here is what I have done, going from outside to inside:

- beveled the outside air inlet port
- running a 1/16" drill bit around the adjustment screw threads which pass through the port, hopefully to smooth them out a little
- spinning a 5/64" bit in the inlet port, again hoping to smooth out any rough spots
- shoving a piece of a q-tip shaft through the adjuster screw hole, through the inlet port, and wedging it into the hole on top where their drilling process overshot by 1 mm or so (this is tricky to describe, sorry)
- running a larger drill bit down the central hole around the outlet of the inlet hole port, where it leads into the center pin hole
- drilling out the side holes of the center pin to 1/16" and beveling them with a larger bit
- running a 1.2mm bit around the inside of the center pin holes
- beveling the center pin outlet hole
- making sure the center pin is aligned properly
- making sure there are no visible burrs anywhere in the air path

Yet after all this work, it still whistles. Other than drilling out the length of the center pin to 1/16" (it is slightly smaller than this, maybe 1.4mm), the only thing left for me to try is smoothing out the junction between the inlet port and the adjustment hole. The threads run into the inlet port, and like I mentioned earlier there is drill overshoot into the top of the port.

I am thinking of filling this area with JB Steel Stik, screwing in the adjustment screw until it is just short of flush with the inlet port, letting it cure then drilling it out with a 5/64" bit. I may lose my ability to adjust the airflow, but I don't really care too much since I like it wide open anyway. In hindsight, I should have gotten a normal EHPro KFL, but the airflow adjustment sounded appealing at the time.

I just wanted to put this out there, since I am wondering if anyone has any comments or knows of any other easier fixes. And no, I am not interested in hearing about how I should just buy a new one or shell out for an authentic . I don't mind doing the work to make modifications, and in fact it is quite satisfying to actually create the results I am looking for. If I permanently ruin it, I can just frankenstein it with the base of my FT KFL (not a perfect solution, but I've checked and its possible).

I am a tinkerer, this is what I do

 

[SteamHead]

Just take the adjustment screw out and leave it. I'd also highly recommend drilling out your center post. As for the whistle, try more bevel on the main inlet.

 

[PLANofMAN]

...knows of any other easier fixes.

 

[SteamHead]

............

 

[CloudZ]

Just take the adjustment screw out and leave it.

When I do that, all the dogs in the neighborhood start howling

Seriously though, that makes it way worse. Which makes me think it has something to do with that hole intersection. Unless... the increased airflow just turns up the volume in the center pin. Very possible. I wonder if I could drill out the center pin lengthwise with a cordless drill and a vice. I know it would be best to use a lathe, but I don't have access to one at the moment. I just envision that little pin snapping trying to do it free hand.

There definitely is room to put a bigger bevel on the outside of the inlet hole, I will give that a go soon.

 

[PLANofMAN]

Use a dremel burr or diamond attachment to clean up the center pin, not a drill bit, unless you have very, very steady hands.

 

[cocacola31173]

I have 2 and have no problems with whistling in either one of them. I keep my draw tight though...like a cartomizer. Maybe that has something to do with it?

 

[Nomoreash]

Contrary to what most people recommend one of mine whistle when the center post hole is in line with the air hole on the body, spin the center post around a little where they don't line up and it's silent. Vapes the same either way so you might try that if you haven't already.

 

[SteamHead]

Drilling 1/16th is a cakewalk, i did both of mine with a dremel, cobalt bit, and some vise grips. 5/64ths is where you'd wanna be very,VERY careful.

 

[CloudZ]

Use a dremel burr or diamond attachment to clean up the center pin, not a drill bit, unless you have very, very steady hands.

I do have pretty steady hands, but an abrasive method would certainly be ideal. I may eventually get around to finding the right tools to do that.

 

[CloudZ]

I have 2 and have no problems with whistling in either one of them. I keep my draw tight though...like a cartomizer. Maybe that has something to do with it?

Nope, it whistles throughout the airflow screw adjustment range. Which may actually indicate that it is NOT the hole intersection area that is causing it. Something to think about, for sure.

 

[CloudZ]

Drilling 1/16th is a cakewalk, i did both of mine with a dremel, cobalt bit, and some vise grips. 5/64ths is where you'd wanna be very,VERY careful.

You're talking lengthwise, right? I already did the cross hole and it was very easy. I may try to get that done as soon as I get through my next tank.

*** sorry about the multiple posts... on my phone at work and it is difficult to combine multiple quotes quickly.

 

[SteamHead]

Yep vertically, just make sure it's cobalt steel (@lowes, dewalt brand is like $2.18) and use a few drops of cutting oil (e-juice works) to keep the heat down. Like you said, its not too far from 1/16" already, so it's super easy. I also reamed it out a lil by wiggling the bit around after it was thru. Best upgrade I've made to any vaping equipment (I did end up going to 5/64" after a couple days, but I wouldn't recommend trying with a drill press and a backup center post around lol), between that and rayon wick, the kayfun is like a totally different device now, output is close to a dripper.

 

[CloudZ]

Well, I finally tried to drill out the center pin lengthwise freehand. I thought it was going pretty well, I had a solid hold on the pin and was keeping it lubricated with some old e-liquid I hate but have kept in my closet. The darn drill bit snapped off when I got about halfway down the hole. I managed to yank it out, then I cleaned it up and reinstalled it hoping that maybe that was enough to make the whistle go away. Nope, still the same. I'm going to pick up a better bit, probably the cobalt steel one from Lowe's eventually. The bit I broke was probably weakened when I accidentally bent it a couple weeks ago on something else and re-straightened it. I'd think that a good high speed steel bit shouldn't ever permanently bend, either stay straight or snap instantly. It may not have been very high quality even though the high school kid at the hardware store told me it was

Oh yeah, I should add that I used the cheapo base on the EHPro uppers, wicked it with my newly acquired Cellucotton and it is working quite well.

EDIT: I bought a cobalt steel 1/16" drill bit, and finished the job easily... it literally went through like butter. The whistle may be very very quiet now, so I might be able to use this EHPro base after all. I'll report back once I get it fully reassembled and try vaping on it.

 

[SteamHead]

Awesome, glad it helped! A good bit made a hell of a difference for me as well!