Tank/Carto question

[ozmosys]

So I have been thinking of buying a tank for my new Provari(should it ever arrive). My question is... I look over all of these websites trying to find punched cartos for a tank and it seems all I ever find are bad reviews like 2 or 3 out of the 5 don't function... Is this normal? I really don't want to have to punch my own, its likely I would scew it up, but I would also hate to waste money on cartos that don't work. Is the problem I am seeing blown out of proportion in my head, or is it a real problem? Any suggestions on what I could do?

Thanks a bunch!

Oz

 

[Dan Deej]

I'm not too sure. I just got my first today and all plain sailing so far. I've been really pleased with it. I hope someone with a bit more knowledge can help...

 

[Ratchet]

Hmmm - I've been using cartos since I started vaping. Using the pre-punched ones from myfreedomsmokes. I'll post a link. I'm using 2.5 ohm single coils on my Lavatube with 2 pre-drilled holes. I have only had one carto in 3 months that did not fire at all. Yeah, had a maybe 2 or 3 that only lasted a 2 days but other than that, I haven't had any problems with them. They are standard 45 mm cartos that will fit the DCT tank and also my favorite: The Phiniac Tall Boy Sandblasted Tanks or any other Tallboy Phiniac.

MyFreedomsmokes cartos: SmokTech DCT Replacement Cartomizer - MyFreedomSmokes.com
Phiniac Tanks: Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks

If you DO want to punch your own, you can get a $7 Saddle valve punch from Lowes. Very hard to screw up with that. I'm using that for some of my older cartos that only have 1 hole and my juices won't feed right. I just punch a second hole in them. Works perfectly and yes, I am technically challenged, so if it's not easy or quick, I'll screw it up, too. LOL!
Shop Watts 1/4" Brass Self-Tapping Saddle Valve at Lowes.com

 

[Kay1959]

I've not had any problems with Boge cartos, just the Smoktechs. I had heard from PBus that the holes where too small so I ordered Smoktechs with 3 holes..I filled them up with a tank and they started leaking right away. I've never had this problem with the Boge single holes. I've heard that you can get the Boge XL tanks (as opposed to dual coils) and punch holes in them, and they will work in the larger tanks, so that's what I'm working on doing right now. You're gonna LOVE that Provari, BTW...all good things come to those who stalk the mailman! lol!

 

[Codeman143]

Hmmm - I've been using cartos since I started vaping. Using the pre-punched ones from myfreedomsmokes. I'll post a link. I'm using 2.5 ohm single coils on my Lavatube with 2 pre-drilled holes. I have only had one carto in 3 months that did not fire at all. Yeah, had a maybe 2 or 3 that only lasted a 2 days but other than that, I haven't had any problems with them. They are standard 45 mm cartos that will fit the DCT tank and also my favorite: The Phiniac Tall Boy Sandblasted Tanks or any other Tallboy Phiniac.

MyFreedomsmokes cartos: SmokTech DCT Replacement Cartomizer - MyFreedomSmokes.com
Phiniac Tanks: Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks

If you DO want to punch your own, you can get a $7 Saddle valve punch from Lowes. Very hard to screw up with that. I'm using that for some of my older cartos that only have 1 hole and my juices won't feed right. I just punch a second hole in them. Works perfectly and yes, I am technically challenged, so if it's not easy or quick, I'll screw it up, too. LOL!
Shop Watts 1/4" Brass Self-Tapping Saddle Valve at Lowes.com

Im in Lowes 5 days a week (hint hint) and i never even thought of a saddle valve, good call.

 

[ozmosys]

They are standard 45 mm cartos that will fit the DCT tank and also my favorite: The Phiniac Tall Boy Sandblasted Tanks or any other Tallboy Phiniac.

Just the tank I was looking at getting. Thanks for the suggestions. They have a punch on their site(phiniac), but it is always out of stock.

 

[ozmosys]

You're gonna LOVE that Provari, BTW...all good things come to those who stalk the mailman! lol!

lol It might not be so bad if I hadn't ordered the week before Memorial Day! 1 extra day that I have to wait!

 

[apbtdog1]

Im in Lowes 5 days a week (hint hint) and i never even thought of a saddle valve, good call.

Yeah me too, that's a great idea, gonna hafta give that a try!

 

[bp400]

You won't waste too much money learning to punch cartos. You may waste a few here or there but its pretty easy with a good carto punch

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[SirCount]

I have been using the Saddle Valve to punch my cartos and it works great, after you hear the click another turn or so and its golden. Use a J tank for my Boges and cheapo for my smoktechs. I noticed that the 1/4 Saddle Valve works the best also.

 

[Nick C]

You guys got me interested. I'm gonna have order one now just to try it out. I have been using the Boge SR and LR cartos. From what I'm reading, I can use the same cartos and punch a hole? I'm just leery of having juice leak everywhere.


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[nf20ae]

I've been using smoktek's 2.5ohm 3hole carto's in my tanks on my provari for several weeks, haven't had a problem with any of them yet. However, it does happen that a few you order may not work or will have a shorter life span in comparison to others. I guess it just comes with the territory lol. Happy vaping!

 

[durutti]

How often do you change them people? Never heard of 3 holes...is it to difficult to punch without the specific equipment?

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[Kay1959]

I have seven tanks and I've found that I have to change the cartos every week. I'm just getting into the cleaning of cartos for reuse, and it's working well with vodka and an ultrasonic jewerly cleaner. Yes, you buy just the regualr 3.0 ohm cartos and punch your hole in it. I think the Smoktech's can have three holes because the holes are so small...the thinner your juice, the less holes you need. The Boge's come with just one hole (which is a bigger hole) If you punch your own, you'll more than likely just need to punch one hole, as it will be about the same size hole as a punched Boge.

 

[RsK0807]

Saddle Valve works great for punching cartos once u get the use of it down. You can also save some headache and get a Siam mods carto punch tool.
I use the standard size Dual coils from madvapes AND xl dual coils from healthcabin.net I've never had a problem with either...

 

[markfm]

I slotted several months with a dremel, happy with the results although a non-electric method was something I wanted to get to.

I tried several saddle valves, including nominally the good ones from Amazon, very unhappy with the fiddle factor (I just want to punch two holes, quickly, consistently, not damage the carto).

I came up with: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/pay-forward-pif/272989-diy-carto-punch.html Very happy with the results, longevity, etc. At post 69 you'll see a link to someone's thread on a different approach, also very solid, just drilling a small block of wood, a roughly 5/16" hole (for the carto) with an intersecting, centered, hole for a deck screw (for the punch screw). My metal hub likely has better pure longevity (the wood will strip over time from multiple insertions/removals of the deck screw), but either of these methods IMO are simpler, more consistent, faster, than a saddle valve. The wood block is dirt cheap, if you have the right screws and drill bits, my hub approach runs about the cost of two of the cheapest saddle valves (or one of the higher priced ones, but without the hassle of setting up the saddle valve, sharpening,...).

Punching cartos yourself lets you use whatever carto you want, within reason, and really is fast. I have complete consistency in results, a biggie for me.

 

[DaveP]

I've only used the Smoketech DCT tank and so far only on my eGo. It works great with the standard single hole. It looks to be around 1/16" and it keeps the bottom of the carto saturated just about right. If you look at the top of the carto, it's white. That would tell you it's dry in normal use, but we add drops in hope that they reach the coil at the bottom. With the punch, the juice replenishes that point continuously.

I have a few 3.0 ohm Smoketech cartos, but haven't tried them on my Provari. I have too many Boge SS 3.0 cartos, I guess.

 

[markfm]

An initial prime, a little top fill, can help depending on the carto. I use Ikenvape 801 fusions exclusively, a very tightly packed carto. Just getting a bit of eliquid in the carto top during initial fill, and giving it a minute, can help a lot. (My eliquid is pretty thin DIY, and I use two decent sized holes just above the tank bottom cap, but have lost one or two cartos over 10 months when I got the infamous dry hit for not priming).

 

[fed71]

How often do you change them people? Never heard of 3 holes...is it to difficult to punch without the specific equipment?

can be found here - 1.5ohm Dual Coil DCT Inserts(3 holes) 4 Pack