Snapping Wires When Tightening Screws

[WharfRat1976]

Any suggestions. Some of my attys just snap off 26g wire. If my screws are not really tight they will back off and loosen. If I drill them down, I can easily break my leads off. I try to find that happy middle but then I don't get a good connection. Should I go to 24g? Would that help?

 

[pdib]

Sometimes the tip of the wire capture screw is a bit sharp. (Not the "tip"; rather the rim of the "tip end"). Couple passes with a file, or place some 4-600 grit paper on a flat surface and rub a little. Could be something else, like sharp edges where the post is drilled for wire; but it's always been that for me.

I assume your wire is annealed. I don't even know if you could buy it any other way. Nonetheless, glowing your legs a bit before final install (with lighter or a superlight torching) should re-anneal it to make it softer, more flexible.

 

[Rickajho]

What dibby said. We don't get precision screws - give the base of them a couple few passes with a file or sandpaper to remove any sharp "burred" edges that may be present.

 

[WharfRat1976]

Solutions so easy and at hand. Thank you both.

 

[Cman1337]

I personally have issues with 26awg kanthal and 26awg nichrome. I never have the problem you are mentioning with 24awg wire. I always tighten mine quite a bit. When i first started out I would have my local vape lounge build my coils and they would always leave the screws kind of loose and I noticed there was less volts and amps to the coils or the wire had more resistance? Anyways after I tighten down the screws it fired up much quicker and would get a lot more vapor. I think I've snapped my girls 26awg kanthal wire like 4 times in the last 5 months.

 

[edyle]

I guess that's where post holes come in useful.