Smallest repairable atomizer?

[DonG]

Beta test v.2, SS mesh coil with 3 cm's of ceramic (folded into 3rd's) and stuffed under the coil to keep it wet...a ton of taste, good TH but not so much vape?, hmmm, oh ya, and prettied it up a bit, who knew there was a bullet under there

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Looks great. May need to relocate your air hole a little higher with the taller coil setup.

 

[Quigsworth]

Looks great. May need to relocate your air hole a little higher with the taller coil setup.

Ya I think I screwed up on the air hole height, but in my defence I...ah nvr mind, I screwed up but what's the skinny, air hole right at the coil, "just" below or slightly above?...just below seems the most logical but I defer to the experts (this is the first 2 I've built , what do I know?)

 

[Blood_of_Adonis]

Question: is the ceramic in contact with the coil? because you might be needing some air beneath the coil to get more vapor production. This is a purely theoretical suggestion.

 

[bullet]

I'm so loving this thread!
where does the air vents suppose to be--- above or below the coil?

 

[Sedateme]

You will want the air hole below the coil.

 

[kosliev]

So I grabbed a couple of RCA connectors at a local store, surprisingly, they're not made of what looks like brass or steel like the ones in this thread, its made of a weird light alloy that gives off a weird smell.

I tried to "widen" a bit the male RCA 4 sliced pads (the ones where you press fit the connector), and one of them snapped whole at the base, and I was being gentle, it resembles whatever crumbly "metal" alloy makes connectors (which tends to shatter).

I'm not sure I can safely remove the center pin, but at any case, I wanted to pair it with a female RCA connector on the mod, since the threads on connectors go bad really quick.

Any help? I'm probably going to boil them >_>

They look exactly like this, except mine isnt "gold" plated, its plain "steel".
http://image.made-in-china.com/4f0j00TvatUqbrvWkn/RCA-Connector-RCA-Plug-5-2016-.jpg

 

[meatsneakers]

Are you outside the US? Radioshack sells the RCA I used on their website as well. Their connectors are pretty robust - I have bent out the pads without issue.

Try boiling though, as there might still be contamination from production of the connector. If it still smells odd, I would toss it and look for another RCA connector.

 

[kosliev]

Yes outside the US, off the bat I can only think of RS online for connectors, and the selection isnt that spectacular.
Connettori fono | Connettori fono – Vendita online di Connettori audio / video| RS Components

shipping alone is like 10$ and most parts have to be bought in bundles of 5 which are about 20-25$ or so, gonna try to hunt down a small audio shop in a nearby town.

So yeah, the material in my RCA looks the same as the (chinese) RCA the russian used in his DIY atom
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-everyone-brilliant-russians-engineering.html

It feels a lot cheaper than the metal used for atomizers outer metal shell though.
I don't so much mind it being robust as much as I mind not poisoning myself because I'm vaping in a metal I'm not supposed to vape into, granted the tube that screws into the connection seems to be made of a different alloy.

Then again, I'm on my last 510 atty.

 

[bullet]

^
we have the same cheapo china-made RCAs...
No luck in DIY as it breaks easily.

didn't even get the chance to see how they
work when heat is applied...

Got those for $3.50 a pair.
I will need to source out a better supplier or
an audio dedicated store to find a better
connector...

 

[sachiaiko]

i LOVE this thread! I have een wanting to build a rebuildable atty now for a little while and i drip so i was thinking "how in gods name would i possibly even begin to manage this?"

Meatsneaker - Your tutorial is spectacular. You deserve a Modders-of-the-vaping-world Award! lol! No, seriously, Kidding aside you really did a fantastic job with that lovely tutorial. I really like it alot and feel like i am PRETTY sure i could follow it even with my very limited experience.

So far, this is my favorite RCA plug and it matches my Silver Diamond Mod from Parke's Vaping RCA Plug Nickel Plated 090-255

So here's my question - Some one used screws instead of sewing needles and i was wondering - hoping - that some one could explain how he did that. I think the screws would be a lot easier for me to use, tighten up everything and more stable then the needles given that i drop things pretty regularly. (I have a pain condition that messes with my hands sometimes.)

He said he "tapped" it - but what is that? How do i tap the screws in and make it functional?

Anyhelp, or videos, or PMs would be SUPER greatly appreciated - also, if som eone wants to make one for me i'd love that as well. I don't have much money, which is why i wanted to BUILD a rebuildable atty rather then buy one - so just PM me if your ipen to helping me and we can discuss it.

thanks Meatsneaker for making such a great tutorial, an everyone else for posting their GREAT pictures to show us what is possible with just a little elbow grease

sachi

 

[sachiaiko]

For adding in screws as the neg and pos connectors for the coil is it possible to find some hobbiest Screw/nuts and solder in the nut with its matching screw (i hope i'm using proper terminology - cause i donno ANYTHING about nuts bolts screws etc.)

But, essentially - there HAS to be a "sleeve" pre "tapped" for tiny as hell screws that would be long enough and small enough to be soldered into the atomizer and still useful enough to screw the tiny screw down tight around the coil ends.

Am i making sense to some one who speaks "hardware"? Can you translate my gibberish into your language? lol

I just, buying a tap and die set (after doing a lot of googling i figured out what the heck that was) seems like a lot to do to just make a few atomizers.

Is there anyone who already HAS the tap and die stuff who could make me sleeves for my atty screws?

Here's the deal, i have a chronic pain condition. I have a reason for mentioning this and here it is: I drop stuff. I just feel like using needles is asking for trouble. I'll be in seattle an hour and a half away from my home and all my rebuilding supplies, drop my damn atty, needle breaks, coil works loose or whatever, and i'm stuck without a working atty.

I feel like tightening a tiny screw down is cleaner to look at maybe but my main concern is STABILITY. I think tightening screws down on neg and pos side of the coil is far more STABLE, that if i drop it, its far less likely to break. Needles are hard and very brittle, i know because i sew. Its insanely easy to break them as most of you know already from when you broke the tips off yours to make your little atty's.

Help! Does some one have a suggestion on how i could use screws without having to learn how to tap and die and get a tap and die set? There HAS to be already fabricated screw's and sleeves SOMEWHERE. and i bet some one here has an idea cause all of you people are genious in the modding mindset.

Thanks!
Sachi

 

[sachiaiko]

Okie, since i havent gotten many respones, i'ma just put my ideas here as i continue sifting through my different thoughts.

So, currently, the thing i've found closest to a "tube" thats "pre-tapped" for my screws is called a "Hex standoff" which is like a long bolt from what i can tell. I just need to find some i can buy in singles, or in small numbers in the SIZES that i need/want. Right now i'm thinking size 0 which might be to small. I dont know exactly how big i should be looking for. I dont want it to be TOO large or i wont be able to fit two within the atty for negative and possitive posts.

Also, it cant be aluminum, right? Since aluminum doesnt solder - so what material should i be looking for?

I was thinking possibly a "eye glass fix-it kit" might have the proper size screws and maybe even the little bolts i'm trying to locate, but my guess is most of those will be machined out of aluminum.

Any thoughts, ideas? Anything? pleeeaaase?

Sachi

 

[sachiaiko]

Do you guys think this will work? M2.5-0.45 X 3MM 4.5MM Hex Standoffs (Female / Female) / Stainless - Fastener SuperStore, Inc.

Obviously this is in bulk, but if i can find the proper standoffs and screws - seems like maybe rather then eyeglass repair kit i should be looking at PC repair kit, also very small screws and fidgets but more options.

Whatcha think?

 

[Quigsworth]

Hey Sachi...good for you on taking this on ...I've built a number of these, some with needles (posts) and some with threaded standoffs and screws. While the screw/standoff method is a great way to securely fasten your coil but they can be a serious pain in the .... to make...and I have a shop full of really cool tools at my disposal...I've found the posts (just like the method used in Lines) is just as secure if you try this little trick when making your coils...

Kanthal as you know is really springy, you can wrap it around the posts a number of times and as soon as you release the tension it "springs" loose and will slide off the posts really easily, there is a way to fix this...reel out about 4-6 inches of Kanthal (it's cheap and will be easier for your ouchy hands and fingers to work with if you go long, sorry to hear about your issue btw )...take a bic lighter and run the flame down the Kanthal making it red hot...do this 3-4 times...it takes the springyness right out of the Kanthal and waaaay easier to wrap and secure. Another thing you can do is put a slight bend on the top 1/8" of your posts (bend away from your coil/wick but not enough to make contact with the jack wall and short)) that way your wrap simply can't slip off the posts.

Try this before you roll up your sleeves with the standoffs/screws...trust me

Luck

edit: btw, I notice that standoff's you linked are stainless...unless you have a special type of flux and a MAP gas torch (high heat) it's near impossible to solder.

 

[sachiaiko]

Quig! THANK you for your response! Lol, I JUST wrote a whole new post on this subject and as i hit POST and my new post showed up i noticed your response :laughs: Thats okay, the more minds the better!

Here's my question, Quig, I've done some jewlery and wire wraping with that - but my biggest concern is wont they come undone? Even with non-springy wire, it can come undone so easily without a good fastening method.

Also, i've never rebuilt an atomizer :grins: My only real method of seeing if i can even do it it is to build one and try it out. I dont have the funds to purchase one - and how funny you mentioned the line, in my scouring posts over the last few days i just ran across a post (actually I ran across a ton of posts mentioning the line, but i didnt realize it was a MODDLE of RBA! lol, i'm a bit dense) so i didnt even know Kanthal wire WAS springy!! No doubt your method will be a tremendous help to me in taking on this mountain of a project. Hehe, i like trying things i've never tried before, i'm adventuresom like that but i had JUST watched a video on the line about 30 minutes ago so i knew EXACTLY what you were talking about.

You couldn't bent a sewing needle like that. I suppose i could get just about any other kinda wire that is bendable...

Can you possibly offer me TIPS for using the standoffs and what sizes etc? I know that putting those in will be far harder then the needles. I know that, and i WILL try both ways as you suggested, but if the screws could make it easier in the long run, while being harder in the SHORT... well, i want to have the option of trying it out - can you offer me more tips?

I will do both, (well, i'll TRY to do both.) test out both, and then pic the one i like best and give the other to the friend who will be helping me with this project (he also is an ecig user, and i introduced him to ecigs, and cisco 306 LR atty's etc. Which is what we both use.)

What size standoff and screws should i get - just in case after trying your way first i am still dedicated to trying the second way.

how DO you fasten the wires on posts anyhow? it seems like it would just unwind, even if it werent springy?

BTW, do you suggest Kanthal over Nichrome?

and lastly... thanks for your compassion. I've gone through a lot in recent years with my health. From battling and surviving ovarian cancer (one of the big reasons i wanted to QUIT smoking) to being in and surviving 2 comas in the last 4 years or so. They don't know WHY i keep crashing, theyre tryin ta figure it out, but no luck thus far.and to top all that off i have a chronic pain condition that really limits my physical movement

So, projects, like this one, keep me busy. that and i have two litters of puppies right now that brighten my day They're the cutest things you've ever seen, quite seriously! lol. My family has been buying computer parts for me slowly over the last 6 or so months (limited funds, eh) also, so i can build a desktop PC with my brother too, which is my other project. I like making things, doing creative things. Learning new things. When you were too sick to go to school most of your young life, LEARNING becomes as fun as going to a theme park, no joke, lol. I'm a very possitive minded, outgoing, open person tho, so i do pretty good despite my limitations. I learned a long time ago, if you let yourself focus on the negative, you die. Bottom line. You simply can not ALLOW yourself to get so low you get depressed - you stay focused on whats good, be giving, genuinely care for others, i love people and chatting and writing, and engaging and so, even in the hospital all the nurses and even housecleaning know me! "Oh, your back!" lol!! terrible but true. :grins: So, i do pretty good, better then most folks in similar situations.

So, i look forward to more of your feedback about my questions! :beams: good lord, i'm far to excited about this rebuildable atty. I really hope i can get it as functionally sound as my 306 lr from cisco, which is currently my absolute favorite atty I been vaping a while, and i only just this last week got a drip shield after getting fed up with dealing with leakge. its working pretty good, better then i thought it would. I still have ALOT to learn in the vaping world, but i'm sure having fun doing it, thats honestly the truth.

 

[sachiaiko]

Quig! I just noticed your in WA! So am i! I'm in Rainier, which is right by Olympia and Yelm wa - where's maple falls?

Sachi

 

[Quigsworth]

Maple Falls is where my weekend cottage is...about 30 mins E. of Bellingham on the way to Mt. Baker

 

[BJ43]

I agree with Quig and prefer using 18 gauge silver wire but if you want screws these work and can be soldered.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...d-guru-help-me-problem-solve.html#post6645558

 

[Quigsworth]

LOL...that's a big ol' post full of stuff to address and I definitely appreciate your tenacity with wanting to build one of these with screw post (and your positive outlook on life and challenges)

BJ mentioned silver wire and if you've done jewellery work you may know about Full Hard and Half Hard silver...half hard is about perfect for posts and super easy to work with (when compared to building standoffs/screws) it grabs the kanthal really good and I promise, you'll be happy with the results...also, if you are using needles for your posts, ya, sometimes if you bend them, they will snap...it's all about the tempering of metal...if you make the sewing needle red hot with even a mini torch and let it cool slowly it'll bend without snapping. Btw, nichrome expands/contracts with heat too much for wrapping around posts...it works but you'll have a lot of connection issues...

I'm really trying to steer you away from the standoff/screw method...my brother-in-law is an Optometrist and has an eyeglasses workshop in his store full of all kinds of small screws, nuts, washers and such...he gave me the run of the place and I still had a brutal time picking the hardware, making good solid connections...and the best part, when you tighten the screws up too much, you "will" rotate and break those connections...not to blow my own horn too much but I'm fairly mechanically/electrically skilled and I about tossed the whole works into the garbage...the tolerances between the connections and the jack barrel wall are tight and shorting your batts is never a good thing, plus making the 510 batt connections to the standoffs that can handle the torque of tightening the screws next to impossible and that's if you don't strip the screw heads tightening them...believe me, if you plan on building this at your kitchen table with basic hand tools you are in for a world of grief that I wouldn't wish on anyone not to mention both my standoff versions (of course you build 2, the RCA jacks come 2 in a pack ) are broken and I refuse to fix them, now they sit in my home made atty stand and mock me...my darning needle versions still work great so what does that tell you

Trust me, the wire wrap method works fine once you take the temper out of your Kanthal...build it first

 

[urquidezj]

Sachi give me some time and I will make you one pretty big sized too so it can be easier for you to build. I'll keep in touch I can't let you struggle how you are. Tap and die I used was 0-80 on ss I was sweating every turn of the tap because they snap really easy. I will make you one no prob but just be patient I make em in between breaks and lunch at work, what mod will you be using this on? Or just a regular ego? So I can know and not make you a huge one.