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I haven't run across a post anywhere on the interwebs regarding a negative post about the BB.
They are not in stock nearly enough! There you have one negative post!
FYI, love the Towellie avatar!
-=J
Well, luckily enough you have the right to reserve your money for whatever you please. But there are more factors than just the Billet Box envy that drove me to a purchase. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with other forums where the manufacturer talked directly with the end user and got their opinions which ultimately effected the product. Pretty sure I can't get online to China and tell them a little tweak which they listen to and change the product. Also really like supporting the small American self manufacturing businesses. Don't get me wrong, I buy crap everyday from Amazon, but it isn't merchandise that falls in the class. Loki and IBTanked are another two I have purchased from that fall into this category and who's products I really like. I also own a Provari, which seems to gather a lot of hate, but it is good product with company support and backing of their product. That means a lot to some people, where others would rather get a cheaper price for an equal competing model. Not saying that is bad at all, just choice. Everyone has their own reasons and right, as long as it makes them happy..happy....joy..joy.
Plus the Billet Box just looks bad ... too!
-=J
I have to agree with you Drunk_J. If I can support a truly American-Made product, I will. Does it happen a lot? Unfortunately no. Heck, I own a Tesla, and a EA Mod. Both of them weren't made in the US.
It's all preference. Everyone is entitled to what they purchase, etc. If something works great for me, it might not be great for you. as the old adage goes, YMMV!!
It's all preference. Everyone is entitled to what they purchase, etc. If something works great for me, it might not be great for you. as the old adage goes, YMMV!!
When I first herd about the billet box I wasn't very fond of it. Simply because it's a box. Then I got into mech mods / RBA. I've grown very tiresome of carrying these lugs around all day. I love using them all day but, when they decide to fire in my pocket, boil my tank, and set my leg on fire something had to give. Over time I kept hearing great things about the billet to the point where people are giving juggys for them. Then I looked a little closer to the device and it just seemed like it's the most thought out device on the market. Compact, sleek, excellent performance, and at a good price too boot.
My money comment was about flippers. I see them for 2-4x retail or waiting for some super unicorn offer. If you don't want a nemesis and a kayfun for it then I'm not quite sure what you really want then.
My money comment was about flippers. I see them for 2-4x retail or waiting for some super unicorn offer. If you don't want a nemesis and a kayfun for it then I'm not quite sure what you really want then.
Yeah, 2-4x retail would be crazy in my book too. For some, the heart wants, what the heart wants (and when). My head gets in the way of those purchases thankfully..hehe.
-=J
Got my BB in the mail today The local pickup thing didn't work out with crazy holiday weekend scheduling but man that shipping sure was quick.
I have a carto priming for it now. Soak faster damn you!
edit: Works like a champ! You've made a wonderful thing here. The hardest part was figuring out how to get juice from the bottle to the syringe, lol.
edit2: Family picture!
The local pickup thing didn't work out with crazy holiday weekend scheduling but man that shipping sure was quick.I have a carto priming for it now. Soak faster damn you!
edit: Works like a champ! You've made a wonderful thing here. The hardest part was figuring out how to get juice from the bottle to the syringe, lol.
edit2: Family picture!
Last edited:
I've seen a few, and experienced a few things that could be considered valid negatives. Though some could be argued are a matter of Not Taking the Time to Really Get Familiar with it, or just a matter of taste.
Just so's the BB Natives don't throw me in the cooking pot or label me as, "A Skunk Is Better Company...", before I go on:
1) Remember, nothing's perfect or will be for everyone.
2) Cut me some slack -- I've lived with it from the first wave and heaped enough praise on the BB to earn a few opinions. Disagree if you want, but Deal With It.
Item: Scratches easily.
Polished aluminum, so ... true. You can baby it, wrap it, case it, polish it up again, scratch it up all purposeful-like with a green scrubby, or call them "battle scars" or "character" but you can't really ignore it.
Item: Brass ring gets cruddy.
Also true. This is probably the one that annoys me the most (the issue, not the complaint). I'm not sure that condensed vapor accounts for it and I hate having to clean it up. Maybe it's some unavoidable Ionic Intercourse, a Galvanic Boogaloo between Mr. Brass and Ms. Aluminum ... which makes me wonder just what it is I'm cleaning off there. Eew.
Item: Door gets rough/scratchy/stuck, etc.
Which is why lubricating it is something that's been advised, recommended, stated, described, video'd, pointed out and all but embossed on the door itself. This I chalk up to "maintenance" and folks not wanting to do any. That said, it can be kind of drag to be out and about and find you've forgotten to clean up the aluminum schmear and lubed it up (Though sometimes I'm forced to wonder how many who complain about this used to spend hours cleaning cartomizers rather than buy new ones. . . .).
Item: Black filler in engravings rubs off.
Ayup, it happens. Though I believe Doug has said he has a Better Way To Do This now, so maybe not so much with the new models.
Item: Liquid gets in the tank compartment (even if the tank doesn't really leak).
Happens to me about half the time. Makes the tank hard to remove. Not fun to clean up. I think we have theories, but haven't really figured out what causes it.
Item: BB Tank leaks after cleaning in hot water / leaving in hot car / baking at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
True, that can happen with the original BB tank (hence the new Delrin tanks). Worse, when it leaks slow, you may not discover it until after the BB's peed on you or partially glued itself to the workbench.
Then there's another class of complaint that simply indicates the user Did Not Bother to Find Out What They Were Getting Into, or Really Isn't Familiar with the Fun and Exciting (but Common) Issues in the Wonderful World of Vaping and are not Experienced Enough To Get Over It, such as:
- It uses cartomizers. (duh!)
- It doesn't work well with <vaping device XYZ> that isn't a cartomizer.
- It doesn't fit my el-cheapo PDQ Brand batteries.
- It doesn't last (most vapers) a full day on a set of batteries.
- It isn't Variable Wattage.
- Voltage doesn't go high (or low) enough for me.
- It isn't natively rebuildable.
- It does not fit Every Drip Tip Ever Made.
... and there are probably more, but those come to mind without much thinkerbating. These I don't really consider to be issues, just things you should know. The Billet Box is well designed to do what it's designed to do, and that's it.
ALL OF THAT SAID, anyone who's recently bought and is eagerly awaiting your new BB's, DO NOT read this and start thinking, "OMG HOW FAST CAN I DUMP THIS ON THE CLASSIFIEDS?". i don't know about you, but I've paid far more for things that are far more hassle and that I'm still considering dumping in the trash rather that foisting on someone else.
Despite anything above, the Billet Box remains one of my two favorite and go-to mods, especially for every day or out-and-about carry. It's like that favorite car or fishing reel or anything else that you love but can't help (or don't mind) tinkering with, rather like vaping as a hobby is anyway. I feel the same about it as I feel about oddballs like the Darwin -- it's not a mod, it's a Vaping Tool that I don't use just for the looks; I use it for the overall performance and/or convenience.
Take the time and get to know your BB and most of the above can be avoided. It'll be just like with any other couple; you both have an annoying habit or two but love each other anyway.
The only reason I don't include a counterpoint of all the things the BB gets right is that there are so many and they've been presented so many times already it would be redundant.
But one thing I will point out is this: Aside from a recent sick spell, Doug's been all over this forum thread. He's posted his own phone number here, for cryin' out loud! If you've got a problem, issue, or thingy you can't figure how to jigger, he WANTS to hear from you, and he wants to help (well, maybe unless you're being a @!*& about it ... so don't be a @!*&). He will write or call you back. To my knowledge there have been only a couple of real problems anyone's posted about and every time he has stepped in and fixed it.
That's just part of what you're buying into. And that's all I gotta say about that.
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I've seen a few, and experienced a few things that could be considered valid negatives. Though some could be argued are a matter of Not Taking the Time to Really Get Familiar with it, or just a matter of taste.
Just so's the BB Natives don't throw me in the cooking pot or label me as, "A Skunk Is Better Company...", before I go on:
1) Remember, nothing's perfect or will be for everyone.
2) Cut me some slack -- I've lived with it from the first wave and heaped enough praise on the BB to earn a few opinions. Disagree if you want, but Deal With It.
Item: Scratches easily.
Polished aluminum, so ... true. You can baby it, wrap it, case it, polish it up again, scratch it up all purposeful-like with a green scrubby, or call them "battle scars" or "character" but you can't really ignore it.
Item: Brass ring gets cruddy.
Also true. This is probably the one that annoys me the most (the issue, not the complaint). I'm not sure that condensed vapor accounts for it and I hate having to clean it up. Maybe it's some unavoidable Ionic Intercourse, a Galvanic Boogaloo between Mr. Brass and Ms. Aluminum ... which makes me wonder just what it is I'm cleaning off there. Eew.
Item: Door gets rough/scratchy/stuck, etc.
Which is why lubricating it is something that's been advised, recommended, stated, described, video'd, pointed out and all but embossed on the door itself. This I chalk up to "maintenance" and folks not wanting to do any. That said, it can be kind of drag to be out and about and find you've forgotten to clean up the aluminum schmear and lubed it up (Though sometimes I'm forced to wonder how many who complain about this used to spend hours cleaning cartomizers rather than buy new ones. . . .).
Item: Black filler in engravings rubs off.
Ayup, it happens. Though I believe Doug has said he has a Better Way To Do This now, so maybe not so much with the new models.
Item: Liquid gets in the tank compartment (even if the tank doesn't really leak).
Happens to me about half the time. Makes the tank hard to remove. Not fun to clean up. I think we have theories, but haven't really figured out what causes it.
Item: BB Tank leaks after cleaning in hot water / leaving in hot car / baking at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
True, that can happen with the original BB tank (hence the new Delrin tanks). Worse, when it leaks slow, you may not discover it until after the BB's peed on you or partially glued itself to the workbench.
Then there's another class of complaint that simply indicates the user Did Not Bother to Find Out What They Were Getting Into, or Really Isn't Familiar with the Fun and Exciting (but Common) Issues in the Wonderful World of Vaping and are not Experienced Enough To Get Over It, such as:
- It uses cartomizers. (duh!)
- It doesn't work well with <vaping device XYZ> that isn't a cartomizer.
- It doesn't fit my el-cheapo PDQ Brand batteries.
- It doesn't last (most vapers) a full day on a set of batteries.
- It isn't Variable Wattage.
- Voltage doesn't go high (or low) enough for me.
- It isn't natively rebuildable.
- It does not fit Every Drip Tip Ever Made.
... and there are probably more, but those come to mind without much thinkerbating. These I don't really consider to be issues, just things you should know. The Billet Box is well designed to do what it's designed to do, and that's it.
ALL OF THAT SAID, anyone who's recently bought and is eagerly awaiting your new BB's, DO NOT read this and start thinking, "OMG HOW FAST CAN I DUMP THIS ON THE CLASSIFIEDS?". i don't know about you, but I've paid far more for things that are far more hassle and that I'm still considering dumping in the trash rather that foisting on someone else.
Despite anything above, the Billet Box remains one of my two favorite and go-to mods, especially for every day or out-and-about carry. It's like that favorite car or fishing reel or anything else that you love but can't help (or don't mind) tinkering with, rather like vaping as a hobby is anyway. I feel the same about it as I feel about oddballs like the Darwin -- it's not a mod, it's a Vaping Tool that I don't use just for the looks; I use it for the overall performance and/or convenience.
Take the time and get to know your BB and most of the above can be avoided. It'll be just like with any other couple; you both have an annoying habit or two but love each other anyway.
The only reason I don't include a counterpoint of all the things the BB gets right is that there are so many and they've been presented so many times already it would be redundant.
But one thing I will point out is this: Aside from a recent sick spell, Doug's been all over this forum thread. He's posted his own phone number here, for cryin' out loud! If you've got a problem, issue, or thingy you can't figure how to jigger, he WANTS to hear from you, and he wants to help (well, maybe unless you're being a @!*& about it ... so don't be a @!*&). He will write or call you back. To my knowledge there have been only a couple of real problems anyone's posted about and every time he has stepped in and fixed it.
That's just part of what you're buying into. And that's all I gotta say about that.
Very well said Vapian !!!!!!!!!!!
Got my BB in the mail today
I have a carto priming for it now. Soak faster damn you!
edit: Works like a champ! You've made a wonderful thing here. The hardest part was figuring out how to get juice from the bottle to the syringe, lol.
edit2: Family picture!
I hate you so much right now. Mine does not come in till Friday. Maybe I will get lucky and get it tomorrow. It is close.
-=J
No need to go to classified ... I will take 2 of them
Sorry bud, not happening with mine...hehe.
-=J
ehhh, this looks ok i guess....
it's been an on and off thing bring'n wood to the table (to the BB rather) i just have had something close to negative 23% free time, but i'm close... this one is the first wood plate i'm really happy with, and that is mainly down to finding the perfect finish mix and method that's as hard and durable as i could possibly hope for on wood, lot of trial, error and test test test... this will likely never be a full scale production model due to material cost ( like damn) and hand work, but we'll have to see.... i'm liking' it though, and god knows i'm hard to please (like this one time i got a pony for christmas, and i got all pissy cuz it was the wrong color)...
it's been an on and off thing bring'n wood to the table (to the BB rather) i just have had something close to negative 23% free time, but i'm close... this one is the first wood plate i'm really happy with, and that is mainly down to finding the perfect finish mix and method that's as hard and durable as i could possibly hope for on wood, lot of trial, error and test test test... this will likely never be a full scale production model due to material cost ( like damn) and hand work, but we'll have to see.... i'm liking' it though, and god knows i'm hard to please (like this one time i got a pony for christmas, and i got all pissy cuz it was the wrong color)...
Very well put as already stated in other replies. But wanted to highlight that part again. Very intuitive and an item most people do not know about. Dissimilar metals will react and cause corrosion. This is also how thermocouples work (it creates electricity). You can even get an explosion in your water piping from having dissimilar metal connection do to galvanic action causing a pseudo electrolysis converting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Sitting over a period of time, the gas build up and a spark ignites...boom. Which is one of the reasons people drain water systems in houses setting up for a period of time. I see the corrosive action occurring on my Provari at the battery terminal and the carto connection. So keep it clean folks. As Mr. Vapian pointed out so elegantly, it is part of routine maintenance.
-=J
I have a carto priming for it now. Soak faster damn you!
edit: Works like a champ! You've made a wonderful thing here. The hardest part was figuring out how to get juice from the bottle to the syringe, lol.
edit2: Family picture!
I actually haven't' found myself using the syringe in a few months, just the bottle... but I used to pull the plunger all the way out and just fill it from the back end.. then put the plunger back in and turn the syringe needle up to push the air out... Also to prime a carto in a hurry, you can force feed juice into the packing with the plastic tip, then once you have the carto in, push on the face of the tank with your thumb (gently) a few time until bubbles stop coming out of the punched holes.. i'm using a nickle mesh carto at the moment and find that every 5 or 6 draws i'm getting dry hits, so i slide the door down and give that tank face a few little thumb pushes, good way to force feed juice ita' that little sucker..
ehhh, this looks ok i guess....
it's been an on and off thing bring'n wood to the table (to the BB rather) i just have had something close to negative 23% free time, but i'm close... this one is the first wood plate i'm really happy with, and that is mainly down to finding the perfect finish mix and method that's as hard and durable as i could possibly hope for on wood, lot of trial, error and test test test... this will likely never be a full scale production model due to material cost ( like damn) and hand work, but we'll have to see.... i'm liking' it though, and god knows i'm hard to please (like this one time i got a pony for christmas, and i got all pissy cuz it was the wrong color)...
Wow that is beautiful! I would be happy with that for a Christmas gift.....even in September....hehe!
FYI, since you are in the finishing decision portion of this project. Have you considered spar varnish? I use it on teakwood and it works/looks awesome with a very durable finish that also has UV protection.
-=J
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