The Next Big thing.... Porous Ceramic Wicks

[NamVet68]

Have a drill, just need the diamond disks, didn't think it was possible to do a controlled enough cut with a drill, you have no problems with that?

Though having various power tools makes it easier and less time-intensive, you don't need fancy specialized equipment to make these things. Even though I have bench grinders, presses, metal/wood/stone saws, and & other stuff lying around, I just use a Dremel & a diamond disk (and water) to make my wicks, and I've made quite a few. Some folks don't even use a Dremel, just a regular drill or oscillating cutter. The biggest requirement is a little time & patience..... and it's actually fun (after you get past the "I broke ANOTHER F*ing one!" phase).

Remember - the Wheel was invented with a stone-hammer & a bone wrench, and the Ancient Egyptians built the Pyramids with nothing more than stone & soft copper tools..... just jump in & play around a bit, you will be well rewarded.

Have fun...

 

[asdaq]

Harbor freight has a corded rotary tool set that goes for $8.99 on the right sale/coupon too. A drill would work but it is nice to have the dexterity of a smaller tool for cutting. For shaping the drill just might be better.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

 

[mikepetro]

(after you get past the "I broke ANOTHER F*ing one!" phase).

ROFLMAO, yeah, that phase was a little frustrating, but as you say, it was JUST a phase.....

 

[MikeE3]

Though having various power tools makes it easier and less time-intensive, you don't need fancy specialized equipment to make these things. Even though I have bench grinders, presses, metal/wood/stone saws, and & other stuff lying around, I just use a Dremel & a diamond disk (and water) to make my wicks, and I've made quite a few. Some folks don't even use a Dremel, just a regular drill or oscillating cutter. The biggest requirement is a little time & patience..... and it's actually fun (after you get past the "I broke ANOTHER F*ing one!" phase).

Remember - the Wheel was invented with a stone-hammer & a bone wrench, and the Ancient Egyptians built the Pyramids with nothing more than stone & soft copper tools..... just jump in & play around a bit, you will be well rewarded.

Have fun...

And just when you think you've moved past that phase - oops there goes another ....

 

[mikepetro]

Have a drill, just need the diamond disks, didn't think it was possible to do a controlled enough cut with a drill, you have no problems with that?

The larger the diameter of the diamond disc, the easier I found it to be. The disc itself helps guide it in a straight line while cutting, once you get the cut started.

I personally like these, they are 2" in diameter and less than $1 a piece. Nice large disc helps get straight lines, and it has lots of surface area for lapping/sanding.

 

[mikepetro]

And just when you think you've moved past that phase - oops there goes another ....

Oh SNAP!

 

[bluegrasslover]

Oh...I haven't tried the bons ao. I did just receive a block of non Bon ao from Amazon. 60 grit. I'll report back when I have one tested.

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[silverbullit]

Oh...I haven't tried the bons ao. I did just receive a block of non Bon ao from Amazon. 60 grit. I'll report back when I have one tested.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Lots of very interesting stuff in this thread. Thanks goes to a few pioneers that make this AO absolutely amazing. Guess everyone has to go thru a learning curve in this addictive hobby of ours, but I wish this material had been available as a wicking material 2 years ago. No turning back now, it's gennies, aluminum oxide, nickel foam and flat kanthal wire for me.

After you get your set-up going you'll know what I'm talking about.
Just a small bit-at the end of the day, just take a paper towel and slightly squeeze the end of the wick to get any gunk off the business end. It really don't build up like any other builds, but it does a little. The liquid in your tank stays clearer, the vape is cleaner and more flavorful, and I love it. Good luck to a fellow Tarheel.

 

[asdaq]

The larger the diameter of the diamond disc, the easier I found it to be. The disc itself helps guide it in a straight line while cutting, once you get the cut started.

I personally like these, they are 2" in diameter and less than $1 a piece. Nice large disc helps get straight lines, and it has lots of surface area for lapping/sanding.

Those look quite like the ebay 1" diamond discs that go for $6 shipped. Good to have a couple of choices in this range.

 

[BobC]

Harbor freight has a corded rotary tool set that goes for $8.99 on the right sale/coupon too. A drill would work but it is nice to have the dexterity of a smaller tool for cutting. For shaping the drill just might be better.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Great to know this will work, on my way over to Harbor Freight today, it's just a few blocks away from me

 

[mikepetro]

Those look quite like the ebay 1" diamond discs that go for $6 shipped. Good to have a couple of choices in this range.

Same company I think. The 2" are $9 for 10 (shipped), and I like the larger size a lot better for shaping.

 

[BobC]

The larger the diameter of the diamond disc, the easier I found it to be. The disc itself helps guide it in a straight line while cutting, once you get the cut started.

I personally like these, they are 2" in diameter and less than $1 a piece. Nice large disc helps get straight lines, and it has lots of surface area for lapping/sanding.

Thanks Mike, to think the Dremel version of this is $20 a piece @ Lowes

Those look quite like the ebay 1" diamond discs that go for $6 shipped. Good to have a couple of choices in this range.

 

[bapgood]

I do have to give some big props to the $20 Dremel disk, I have used it quite a bit and it doesn't show any sign of wearing out yet. While I haven't used the little HF disks for a while, IIRC they did seem to wear quite rapidly. I haven't used the amazon/eBay disks, so they may be just as good as the Dremel disk???

Edit - however the HF diamond disk I got for the oscillating tool is holding up great.

 

[bluegrasslover]

Lots of very interesting stuff in this thread. Thanks goes to a few pioneers that make this AO absolutely amazing. Guess everyone has to go thru a learning curve in this addictive hobby of ours, but I wish this material had been available as a wicking material 2 years ago. No turning back now, it's gennies, aluminum oxide, nickel foam and flat kanthal wire for me.

After you get your set-up going you'll know what I'm talking about.
Just a small bit-at the end of the day, just take a paper towel and slightly squeeze the end of the wick to get any gunk off the business end. It really don't build up like any other builds, but it does a little. The liquid in your tank stays clearer, the vape is cleaner and more flavorful, and I love it. Good luck to a fellow Tarheel.

I've made probably 20 fish wicks. I found them too much trouble to make me leave cotton. Sounds like the white ao is better so I have to give it a shot.



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[BobC]

I've made probably 20 fish wicks. I found them too much trouble to make me leave cotton. Sounds like the white ao is better so I have to give it a shot.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Luv the cotton as well, but way too much maintenance required, one dry burn and boom, wick is done. If you're using gennie style, that's a PITA

 

[gdeal]

I do have to give some big props to the $20 Dremel disk, I have used it quite a bit and it doesn't show any sign of wearing out yet. While I haven't used the little HF disks for a while, IIRC they did seem to wear quite rapidly. I haven't used the amazon/eBay disks, so they may be just as good as the Dremel disk???

Edit - however the HF diamond disk I got for the oscillating tool is holding up great.

So...just want to second the HF diamond disk with the oscillating tool. I picked one of these up on Bap's recommendation. For cutting blanks its far superior to the diamond disk. You will get much more dust/grit flying away and loss of material in the process, but its so much faster to produce blanks. I also have shaped round wicks using this tool as well. (its a little tricky to use the flat side and hold the wick in your hand....).

Its not as precise for finishing, but if you want to smooth the wick you can hit it with the diamond wheel afterwards.

 

[Equality 7-2521]

I'm really grateful to gdeal for finding a ceramic setup for the kayfun. I was always intrigued by kayfuns but couldn't think of a way to build a ceramic wick for them. And Bap seems on the verge of creating another great way of using ceramics......but I have to admit I love my genny.I'll never get rid of my kayfun....it's like having sex with an incrediblly cute nubile 18 year old girl at a rave concert,but my genny is like having sex with an incredibely beautiful 27 year old woman...languid,and voluptous.....with a hint of depravity.

 

[mikepetro]

I'm really grateful to gdeal for finding a ceramic setup for the kayfun. I was always intrigued by kayfuns but couldn't think of a way to build a ceramic wick for them. And Bap seems on the verge of creating another great way of using ceramics......but I have to admit I love my genny.I'll never get rid of my kayfun....it's like having sex with an incrediblly cute nubile 18 year old girl at a rave concert,but my genny is like having sex with an incredibely beautiful 27 year old woman...languid,and voluptous.....with a hint of depravity.

Plus one.....

I hope to apply these concepts to my Russian 91% when it arrives.

 

[tiburonfirst]

Plus one.....

I hope to apply these concepts to my Russian 91% when it arrives.

if it arrives!

 

[ElectricalSocket]

I'm really grateful to gdeal for finding a ceramic setup for the kayfun. I was always intrigued by kayfuns but couldn't think of a way to build a ceramic wick for them. And Bap seems on the verge of creating another great way of using ceramics......but I have to admit I love my genny.I'll never get rid of my kayfun....it's like having sex with an incrediblly cute nubile 18 year old girl at a rave concert,but my genny is like having sex with an incredibely beautiful 27 year old woman...languid,and voluptous.....with a hint of depravity.

So, getting a Kayfun is similar to this...
Video

I can't stop laughing thinking this is us when we get a new device. At least watch the first 39sec. Funny stuff.