Titanium Tips?

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indypilotcfi

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Hey everyone. I'm looking for some tip or tricks when doing Titanium coils. I picked up some 28GA titanium from Unkamen Supplies for my CLR atomizers and this stuff makes me want to rip my hair out.

I'd say every other coil I do has to be trashed because this wire just does not want to hold his shape at all. I do 7 wraps around a 2.5mm coil master. I'll do a 8th wrap and unwind it so I can at least get the leads both in the same direction. Even so, when I take it off the coil master, it totally looses it shape. If I were to let go, it would almost totally unwrap.

I'll put the coil master with the coil in the slot on the head and then put it together. But, even then, after I pull the coil master out, it goes all wonky and spreads out or just skews. If the coil makes it that far and I haven't thrown it across the room, I'll pulse it a little and then try to get it back into shape. But, most times, it still pretty uneven and ugly.

Can anyone give me some tips or tricks on making this easier? Is Titanium just a pain to work with?
 

indypilotcfi

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Have you attempted to heat the wire prior to wrapping it? If not give that a try

I did with my cigar torch but didn't help. Only time I can get it to hold any kind of shape is after pulsing it at around 7-8w.

I think everything you are looking for is in this thread: Titanium wire, vaping and safety

I checked out that thread but, admittedly, I didn't look through all 184 pages. It looks like most people don't have the same springiness issue I'm having.
 

indypilotcfi

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On a side note, I watched a couple Youtube videos to see how others are wrapping Ti. Particularly this one: . At about 3:06 he wraps it around the drill bit and it keeps it shape. My wire doesnt react ANYTHING like that. If I were to wrap it exactly like he does and let go, it would simply just unwrap.
 
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subwayaznm

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On a side note, I watched a couple Youtube videos to see how others are wrapping Ti. Particularly this one: . At about 3:06 he wraps it around the drill bit and it keeps it shape. My wire doesnt react ANYTHING like that. If I were to wrap it exactly like he does and let go, it would simply just unwrap.

He makes that seem so easy.. I haven't tried Titanium as yet. Thanks for sharing the video
 

indypilotcfi

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I wish you could order from Temco Industries (which is what I use), but they don't ship to India apparently. Their titanium is already annealed and it is very soft, not springy, and easy to work with. It is basically the opposite of your experience. I put a bend in the coil and it just stays there...

India. Indiana. Same difference. :) It was between Temco and Unkamen. I went with Unkamen based on the price and reviews I read. I may try Temco on the next one.
 
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indypilotcfi

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Opps, lol :) Ok, well from my own experience you will love it. I started with 26awg and it's great. I have some 28/32awg on the way that I'm going to try and build clapton wire from. Temco Ti is the easiest wire I have ever worked with and that includes SS and kanthal.

If you don't mind (and if you remember), let me know how that Temco 28awg works out for you when it comes in. I'm looking at getting 28awg in particular and want to make sure the springiness doesn't have to do with the gauge I'm using.
 

RabbiXX

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If you don't mind (and if you remember), let me know how that Temco 28awg works out for you when it comes in. I'm looking at getting 28awg in particular and want to make sure the springiness doesn't have to do with the gauge I'm using.

Sure, it should be coming in either tomorrow or the day after. Never really tried to build my own coils like that before...so we'll see how it goes. Bought a swivel and already have a drill. Looked easy enough on Youtube :)
 

Carl2

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I've been using nickel wire because I like the temp mode. I've just moved from 30 awg to 28 awg for a more sturdy build. The wire you are using is hardened and can be softened by using a torch, lighter or heating, it has to glow red and I'll use 50 watts pulsed. I've just finished making a D shaped coil so it would fit under the cover in a dual coil setup. Also you need a tight wind, hold onto the wire tightly as you wind. Keep trying
 

RabbiXX

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If you don't mind (and if you remember), let me know how that Temco 28awg works out for you when it comes in.

So the Temco 28awg seem just as easy to work with as the 26awg to me. Soft, flexible, and not springy. As to my first Ti clapton wire build... I'm sure I'll get better at it :)
 

indypilotcfi

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So the Temco 28awg seem just as easy to work with as the 26awg to me. Soft, flexible, and not springy. As to my first Ti clapton wire build... I'm sure I'll get better at it :)

Awesome. Looks like I'll pick some up!

Just for giggles, I pulled out my old roll of 26ga Lightning Vapes Ti a couple nights ago. 26ga is too thick for the CLRs heads, but I thought I'd try to wrap a few coils. Night and day difference from the Unkamen.

If you dont mind me asking, where did you buy the Temco 28awg from?
 

indypilotcfi

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So the Temco 28awg seem just as easy to work with as the 26awg to me. Soft, flexible, and not springy. As to my first Ti clapton wire build... I'm sure I'll get better at it :)

Last question, I promise. I went to Temco's website and it says "non-resistance" but when I find it on ebay it says "resistance". Does it matter which I get?

Edit: I'm thinking Temco's website may be a misprint and it actually "resistance". Everything I've found from amazon and ebay for them is resistance and there is a comment that says the website have it mislabeled.
 
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indypilotcfi

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Feb 10, 2014
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It's all Ti Grade 1, so it's the same wire. Technically the website is correct. Resistance wire is an alloy wire that holds a steady resistance (wire used to make resistors) . Like Kanthal.

Thanks again for the info! Just placed an order for 100ft from Ebay. Looking forward to getting back to making coils rather than ripping my hair out.
 

indypilotcfi

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So, my Temco 28 gauge came in today. I should've bought it a long time ago! First thing I noticed is how much cleaner it is. The Unkamen, I would run it through an alcohol soaked paper towel about 10 times until no color came off of it. The Temco, I pulled it through once or twice and it was totally clean.

It was much easier to work with. It held it shape WAY better which meant more consistent coils. All 3 of the coils I did came out to exactly 0.45ohm which is exactly where I wanted it. I put the coils into the CLR head, put the cotton in, and the spread the coil apart a little bit with tweezers and it stayed perfect.

Last, the first few vapes tasted much cleaner. With the Unkamen, it would take a few vapes to get the burnt/chemical taste out of it. The Temco tasted great right off the bat.

Looks like I'll be getting Temco from now on. Thanks for the suggestion!!
 
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