trouble with wicking! is it just me??

[dollaz87]

Hey everybody. New to the forum but have been lurking for a while lol. Ive been using the standard coils for the kanger subtank mini for a while and recently decided to try out the rba section. Im getting the hang of wrapping the coils but im having trouble with threading the cotton through the coil. Im using japanese organic cotton and cutting about 3mm. I roll the end with my fingertips, thread it through but it keeps coming apart in my hands. The guys on youtube make it look so simple! Im not giving up but if you have any tips please let me know.
Thanks

 

[itskohler]

What atty are you using?

 

[Robino1]

Cut a strip with the grain of the cotton. I made the mistake of cutting a strip the other way and yeah, it crumbles.

Let me know if that works better for you or if that was the issue.

Welcome to the forum

 

[m00shie]

Hey everybody. New to the forum but have been lurking for a while lol. Ive been using the standard coils for the kanger subtank mini for a while and recently decided to try out the rba section. Im getting the hang of wrapping the coils but im having trouble with threading the cotton through the coil. Im using japanese organic cotton and cutting about 3mm. I roll the end with my fingertips, thread it through but it keeps coming apart in my hands. The guys on youtube make it look so simple! Im not giving up but if you have any tips please let me know.
Thanks

When rolling, if too much pressure is applied to the roll of cotton, the cotton will begin to thin and starts spreading (the roll becomes longer) and when you pull it thru the coil, it'll start tearing or fluffing out.

Only apply very slight pressure to form a firm roll without having to press hard. Takes practice but eventually you'll get it.

Tip: remove the top layer (thick) of the pad. Slowly roll while ensuring the bottom layer (thick) is inside the roll before doing the actual roll. Then you will have a firm core (the bottom layer inside) while the outside remain fluffy.

 

[Robino1]

Another thought, sometimes I have to thin the strip if my coil is smaller in diameter. I usually take the top layer and bottom layer off. I save those for the next time I re-wick and use both of those for the one coil.

 

[BigDvon91]

not sure if this is a good idea or not as im a noob to the RBA aswell but i was having the same problem, i wet the end of the cotton slightly when rolling to help get it through!

Its gunna be cut off anyway so cant see it hurting! If this is a bad idea feel free to pick me up on it.

 

[Foggyroomz]

I cut a piece about 3/16th to 1/4 inch wide with the grain of the pad then divide that in half by seperating it in the middle as evenly as possible. Twist one end enough to thread it through the coil and pull it through gently so that the cotton is flat and parallel to the deck, then I fold the end so that it tucks up to the side of the deck just touching the deck, and juice it so it stays in place like in this pic this is to make sure that the juice channels aren't obstructed. Try it out and good luck

 

[Asbestos4004]

I agree with Robino.......like I always do. Your likely cutting across the grain of the pad. Cut with the grain and it won't pull apart.

 

[Foggyroomz]

It's hard to do upclose on the table video with my phone so here are some stills to show how I do it
I hope this helps some

 

[dollaz87]

Ahhh thanks for the suggestions guys. Foggyrooms I cant see the pictures you have posted. Im using the mobile app im wondering if thats why

 

[Robino1]

Ahhh thanks for the suggestions guys. Foggyrooms I cant see the pictures you have posted. Im using the mobile app im wondering if thats why

Probably is the reason you aren't seeing the photos. Do you have regular browser you can open and view the photos?

 

[dollaz87]

Ive figured it out. I have to log into the forum on my smart phones web browser. The app seems terrible and the browser version isnt too clever either. Shame I dont have a laptop

 

[itskohler]

Are you using a dripper or an RBA?

 

[dollaz87]

Are you using a dripper or an RBA?

Its the rba section to the kanger sub tank mini.

 

[Rat2chat2]

Watch the first part of this video. Helped me.



Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[Mellowbuzz]

Sounds to me like you cut the cotton against the grain. Cut your pads with the grain and they will stay together.

 

[Das Auto]

I'm gunna jump in here too! You totally cut your cotton the wrong way dude, duh! Gosh!! Get it right dude!! LoL (can you read the layers of sarcasm there?! I hope so) you'll figure it out. Just watch some videos on the YouTubey and I'm sure you'll get it squared away! The STM RBA is finicky! There are a bunch of threads on here already about this exact thing! you'll get it, just keep at it!!

 

[Tim Lambes]

My personal suggestion. Buy a new RDA if you're looking to start your own builds. Mainly because myself and everyone I've talked to agrees that the airflow on the subtank RDA is extremely lacking. I suggest the El Diablo Mephisto for new builders because it has huge posts and post holes making builds alot easier.

 

[oneperiod]

I have not tried Japanese cotton yet. But the medical cotton is well enough that won't come apart when you actually thread it through!

 

[Strings]

See, that's another advantage of doing a vertical coil: don't have to worry about threading cotton through the coil