Some first build advice

[cradleinflames]

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking in the forums for a while, doing research, and finally decided to post.

I just got into vaping, was lent a simple ego c twist/kanger protank setup to try and and was getting ready to buy some hardware. I want to try and keep away from silica wicks for potential health concerns (I understand it's probably not an issue due to the high breakdown temp of silica but, because it's a relatively new development, not much long term testing has been done so I want to play it safe for now). Since most simple setups have silica wicks, it means I'm looking at a rebuildable.

I'm an electrical engineer so I'm pretty comfortable with ohms, amps, volts, power ratings and electrical builds so that part doesn't really concern me much. I think I'd be pretty comfortable with a rebuildable setup.

After a lot of research, I decided to go with a kayfun Clone:

(it won't let me use links) A Russian 91 clone from fasttech that comes with the following:
1*Russian 91% Styled RBA(assembled),
1*Extra SS Tank Section,
1*Needle Bottle,
1*Philips Screwdriver,
1*Allen Key, 3*O-Rings,
1*Spare Tank Section,
4*Tiny Screws,
1*Replacement Coil&Wick

and a Vamo V2 mod:

( it won't let me use links)A Vamo 2 variable voltage/wattage mod kit from fasttech that comes with the following:
1*V2 Mod,
2*H2 Clearomizers,
1*18650 Battery(3.7V 2200mAh),
1*AC Power Charger

This should give me a pretty decent setup. It's probably much closer to an intermediate than a beginner build but I've heard the Kayfun clones are really easy to work with and I've watched a lot of videos. Seems pretty straight forward. I was going to start with a Genesis tank but a friend talked me out of starting with that, just because of the complexity of the mesh wicks.

Anyway, the question I had was, what other things will I need? I assume I'll need some wire (I'm open to recommendations) to build a coil and I might want to get an extra tank or two, just in case, possibly another drip tip but that's not really essential.

Does anyone have any recommendations I should include with my order? I want to make sure I have everything I need when it all arrives. If you see any red flags to that setup, please let me know! I've tried to do as much research as possible but I'm far from an expert!

And I'm looking at fasttech because the reviews are generally pretty good and I'm not in a hurry for it to show up (I've heard about their long delay times but I have a temp setup for now).

Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[RichRod]

batteries! ill recommend AW IMR, ide buy a couple 18350's. i have a vamo v2 and i only use it isn 350 mode. its to long for my liking when its in 650 mode. the good thing about a vamo is itll read your ohms of your coil so you wont need an ohm reader, and also tells you volts your battery is putting out. ide also suggest trying to buy from a us seller, the wait would kill me! happy rebuilding

also make sure you buy batteries from a reputable seller, like rtdvaper

 

[DurtyZ]

You could use cotton for wicking. Its really popular round these parts... Plus ya can't beat a big bag that'll last a lifetime for $2 haha I just get mine at Walgreen's. Make sure its 100% organic. You could boil it or not, I don't.

 

[StephenMulkey]

You could use cotton for wicking. Its really popular round these parts... Plus ya can't beat a big bag that'll last a lifetime for $2 haha I just get mine at Walgreen's. Make sure its 100% organic. You could boil it or not, I don't.

I second this just remove the silica wick and replace with organic cotton. It's really easy.

 

[Cloud Junky]

Watch some RiP Trippers Russian 91% coil build and tutorial and you should be good on a Kayfun type device setup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi84jkfzBqY

 

[StephenMulkey]

Any way you go you should check out Rip Trippers channel he is awesome.

 

[daviedog]

I assume you have a quality VOM. APV's only measure ohms to about 1.2, at the 'edge' accuracy is questionable..

 

[funkyrudi]

From FT you could buy a Nano kit - makes your Kayfun shorter. If you don`t care about the Vamo in 18650 mode Sony US18650V3 would be great and could be used in a mech. mod too.
Kanthal I wouldn`t buy from FT.

 

[cradleinflames]

I assume you have a quality VOM. APV's only measure ohms to about 1.2, at the 'edge' accuracy is questionable..

Yep, I have some pretty good ones. I agree that having a built in voltmeter is handy though.

batteries!

Good looking out, I actually ALMOST missed that entirely last night but the kit I am looking at comes with some (1*18650 Battery(3.7V 2200mAh)

You could use cotton for wicking. Its really popular round these parts... Plus ya can't beat a big bag that'll last a lifetime for $2 haha I just get mine at Walgreen's. Make sure its 100% organic. You could boil it or not, I don't.

Yeah, I think I am going to go with cotton. Seems to be the wick of choice. I looked into hemp as well but apparently, it colors the flavor a lot. Same with bamboo. I'll make sure to grab some! My friend recommended some from amazon that's supposed to be pretty good (though I doubt that matters).

Watch some RiP Trippers Russian 91% coil build and tutorial and you should be good on a Kayfun type device setup.

I've watched a video or two of his and he's pretty funny. I didn't realize he actually reviewed the one I was looking at though. Nice! Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks a lot everyone! I really appreciate the feedback.

Should I buy an extra tank or will I need one? I've heard about some juices destroying tanks . . . though this one does come with a stainless steel tank as well . . . any thoughts?

Oh, and why is it I'm not allowed to post links? Is it because I'm new?

 

[hdsixhundred]

I would pickup some Organic Cotton and a 100' 28g Kanthal from Amazon. Both can be had for under $20 and will last you a LONG time. I have made a few 3ft sections of Twisted 28g and made easily 50 coils and have barely put a dent in the 100'. I have twisted this all up on roughly 12 cotton balls as well lol. You don't need much! As far as the Vamo ide go with the V5 over a V2 any day. The V5 has upgraded internals, metal buttons, new battery springs and Raised 510 connection.

 

[hdsixhundred]

Thanks a lot everyone! I really appreciate the feedback.

Should I buy an extra tank or will I need one? I've heard about some juices destroying tanks . . . though this one does come with a stainless steel tank as well . . . any thoughts?

Oh, and why is it I'm not allowed to post links? Is it because I'm new?

Regarding tank you SHOULDN'T need one because one you wrap up a coil you're good to go for a solid week or so. If you dryburn your cotton at all however you will need to rewick. It is a simple 5 minute process to get it from Start to finish so I would not personally worry about an extra tank. I have 4 tanks and 2 RDA's and I haven't used a single tank since my RDA's came in.

 

[cradleinflames]

I would pickup some Organic Cotton and a 100' 28g Kanthal from Amazon. Both can be had for under $20 and will last you a LONG time. I have made a few 3ft sections of Twisted 28g and made easily 50 coils and have barely put a dent in the 100'. I have twisted this all up on roughly 12 cotton balls as well lol. You don't need much! As far as the Vamo ide go with the V5 over a V2 any day. The V5 has upgraded internals, metal buttons, new battery springs and Raised 510 connection.

Out of curiosity, what internals were upgraded? It looks like the V2 has everything the V5 has, feature wise. Are the other things you mentioned worth increasing the price by $5 and cutting the battery life by 60%? I also really like the black on the V2, which isn't offered by the V5. I'm not ruling out the V5, I'm just curious as to the practicality of the suggestions (how will it affect the experience, life of product, etc).

 

[coalyard]

I would pickup some Organic Cotton and a 100' 28g Kanthal from Amazon. Both can be had for under $20 and will last you a LONG time. I have made a few 3ft sections of Twisted 28g and made easily 50 coils and have barely put a dent in the 100'. I have twisted this all up on roughly 12 cotton balls as well lol. You don't need much! As far as the Vamo ide go with the V5 over a V2 any day. The V5 has upgraded internals, metal buttons, new battery springs and Raised 510 connection.

With the VAMO I might consider 30ga instead, to keep the builds above 1.2ohm. I have wrapped coils of every description for my KFL+, the latest being a 3 strand twisted coil at 1ohm. Truth be told, I just re-coiled it today with a 30ga coil at 1.8 ohm so I could use it on my SVD (it looks better on that mod) You will find the KFL gives great performance and flavor with most any coil set up you use. 30ga wire is also good for rebuilds in ProTanks and other atomizers that have small heads.

I also agree with the other poster who suggested getting a couple of 18350 batteries. I have both 18350 and 18650, but I find myself using the 18350's in the SVD and save the 18650's for the VTR. They last a lot longer.

 

[dilznic]

I'd say you need a real Kayfun Lite instead of the POS from FastTech.

 

[cradleinflames]

With the VAMO I might consider 30ga instead, to keep the builds above 1.2ohm. I have wrapped coils of every description for my KFL+, the latest being a 3 strand twisted coil at 1ohm. Truth be told, I just re-coiled it today with a 30ga coil at 1.8 ohm so I could use it on my SVD (it looks better on that mod) You will find the KFL gives great performance and flavor with most any coil set up you use. 30ga wire is also good for rebuilds in ProTanks and other atomizers that have small heads.

I also agree with the other poster who suggested getting a couple of 18350 batteries. I have both 18350 and 18650, but I find myself using the 18350's in the SVD and save the 18650's for the VTR. They last a lot longer.

Out of curiosity, why do you stick with 350's? I don't understand why having a longer lasting battery wouldn't be a good thing (especially since you don't want to fully drain batteries or they lose their life). I would assume having higher capacity batteries would be a good thing, from a short and long term perspective.

Granted, this would be my only unit, so I wouldn't need to save long term for one type of setup and short term for another. I'm not sure if that's just your experience or if I'm missing something . . .

 

[cradleinflames]

I'd say you need a real Kayfun Lite instead of the POS from FastTech.

Heh, there's a good reason I'm buying from Fasttech:

1) Cost
Kayfun Lite - $100
Russian Clone - $20
$80 Savings
2) Time is not a concern
I'm not in a hurry as I have a temp one to borrow. I'll wait a month or two to save $80 . . .
3) It got really good reviews
RiP Trippers and several other high profile reviewers said it was really good, even the ones that have issues with clones.

Honestly, I don't see any reason why I wouldn't go with this, apart from any issues/experiences someone has with fasttech, which I haven't had. Have you had bad experiences with them?

 

[dilznic]

18650 are almost twice as long as 18350.

 

[dilznic]

Heh, there's a good reason I'm buying from Fasttech:

1) Cost
Kayfun Lite - $100
Russian Clone - $20
$80 Savings
2) Time is not a concern
I'm not in a hurry as I have a temp one to borrow. I'll wait a month or two to save $80 . . .
3) It got really good reviews
RiP Trippers and several other high profile reviewers said it was really good, even the ones that have issues with clones.

Honestly, I don't see any reason why I wouldn't go with this, apart from any issues/experiences someone has with fasttech, which I haven't had. Have you had bad experiences with them?

No I haven't dealt with FT, but I know quite a few people who have ordered from them and been happy, though they were buying supplies like tweezers and screwdrivers, not counterfeit atomizers.

My argument against buying the clone from fasttech has nothing to do with transit time.

You're not saving $80 by buying a clone of a clone (the "real" Russian 91% is a clone of the KFL+, albeit a pretty well made one) over an authentic KFL. It's not the same product. And honestly, $80 is a drop in the bucket when it comes to your future vaping expenses. Trust me. If you're an Electrical Engineer, you have the money. Do it right. I wasted a lot of money on cig-a-likes, then egos and protanks, then a nemesis clone (no logo at least since I prefer not to be a total poser). Wish I had of skipped all that and gone straight to the good stuff.

 

[Argo2013]

I would buy some different gauge Kanthal wires from Amazon, a spool of 100ft usually goes for $7-8 whereas vaping stores online and off sell it 2-3 feet at a time for $2-4

 

[AndriaD]

Out of curiosity, why do you stick with 350's? I don't understand why having a longer lasting battery wouldn't be a good thing (especially since you don't want to fully drain batteries or they lose their life). I would assume having higher capacity batteries would be a good thing, from a short and long term perspective.

Granted, this would be my only unit, so I wouldn't need to save long term for one type of setup and short term for another. I'm not sure if that's just your experience or if I'm missing something . . .

Having only one is a really bad idea. Sounds like you know your way with electrical stuff, but what if it just *dies* and there's noplace open to buy another?

You need to have a backup for your backup's backup.

Andria