Pretty much the same except no drilling necessary. Has an open center post already. I just didn't like the size of the a7. Really tried to keep the original footprint...
Vapage Vmod XL Rba Squid Rda Bottom Feed Mod
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Actually, I probably am going to have to do some drilling. The O-rings are blocking off the air holes
Didn't think of that. Thought the inlet was in the top cap on the a7.
Are you going to get fancy or just drill the top cap?
Are you going to get fancy or just drill the top cap?
Air holes are just above the threads. Haven't decided yet if I want to drill in the top cap or in the base at the level of the coil. Kind of leaning toward the latter atm. Probably going to do two so that I have enough air flow at 4.2 but can blockl one when the voltage drops down to normal range. Just have to figure out the best way to plug the second hole.
I just did the Squid mod to a IGO-L and it's working fine so far. It's designed almost the same as the Squid so no big surprise. I'm using a single O-ring sized 5/16" ID x 1/2" OD. Seems to fit right into the corner where the IGO and the Vmod meet. So far no leaks. I think I've found my new out and about setup 
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I just did the Squid mod to a IGO-L and it's working fine so far. It's designed almost the same as the Squid so no big surprise. I'm using a single O-ring sized 5/16" ID x 1/2" OD. Seems to fit right into the corner where the IGO and the Vmod meet. So far no leaks. I think I've found my new out and about setup
Nice! Center pin is SS on the igo-l, right? How was drilling the SS?
Yes the center pin is SS. I drilled it through the screw hole from the top with a #55 drill (0.05") at 3,000 rpm on a drill press. The quill takes a bit of force to move down so I was careful to take small 'bites' at a time, pulling the drill out of the hole after each. I aimed for about 1/32" of depth each time and I had no problems at all.
It was harder drilling the pin cross-feed hole. I ground a small flat on it with a Dremel, but it was still hard to start the hole. It didn't help that I was holding it by hand and that the drill was wobbling a bit
I didn't drill that all the way, just one side for now. I am finding I have to squonk quite hard to get juice into the atty. I might just open up both holes and drill the other side out too and see if that helps. My juice is 50/50.
It was harder drilling the pin cross-feed hole. I ground a small flat on it with a Dremel, but it was still hard to start the hole. It didn't help that I was holding it by hand and that the drill was wobbling a bit
I didn't drill that all the way, just one side for now. I am finding I have to squonk quite hard to get juice into the atty. I might just open up both holes and drill the other side out too and see if that helps. My juice is 50/50.
Yeah that side one is tricky. That's where the swivel pin vice comes in handy to make initial groove. I'm jealous of the drill press. I have almost every tool except a press. Did you use cutting oil? Makes a big difference.
Careful using your hand especially with wire bits. They're like needles. I like placing the rba in a thin towel and then putting it in vice grips just firm enough to hold tight. Prevents any scratches and will save your hand. Post pics when you can...
Careful using your hand especially with wire bits. They're like needles. I like placing the rba in a thin towel and then putting it in vice grips just firm enough to hold tight. Prevents any scratches and will save your hand. Post pics when you can...
Yup, the drill press is very handy. I bought it originally for woodworking. I actually didn't use any cutting oil. The drill is small enough that I didn't really have to at 3,000 rpm as it only got warm.
And yes, I should have put more effort into holding it in a safer manner. Here's a shot of that hole:
Notice the lip at the circumference of the top deck. I didn't want the hole that high in the RDA so I could possibly suck back a flood, so I was holding it on an angle while drilling. I was fairly comfortable doing it, but I did have to fiddle with exactly how to hold it. If I do it again I'll certainly try your vice grip method or put a bit more thought into using my vice, which does not do angles
Here are the bits:
And assembled with the bigger O-ring:
With that particular 510 adapter the IGO sits flush with the top of the case when it's just past making electrical contact. Now that will never happen to me again!
And yes, I should have put more effort into holding it in a safer manner. Here's a shot of that hole:
Notice the lip at the circumference of the top deck. I didn't want the hole that high in the RDA so I could possibly suck back a flood, so I was holding it on an angle while drilling. I was fairly comfortable doing it, but I did have to fiddle with exactly how to hold it. If I do it again I'll certainly try your vice grip method or put a bit more thought into using my vice, which does not do angles
Here are the bits:
And assembled with the bigger O-ring:
With that particular 510 adapter the IGO sits flush with the top of the case when it's just past making electrical contact. Now that will never happen to me again!
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Nice pics. Nice work. I used my dremel because of how delicate the bits are and lack of a press :-(. Liked the lower rpms. Even something like vegetable oil can serve as cutting oil. You'll be shocked at how much more efficient the drilling is. Just a drop on the drilling area.
So the washer you used fits within the aluminum outer shell and rests on the plastic chassis? Not in the chamber? and that still allows the igo-l to seat enough to keep the outer shell in place? Good stuff there...
So the washer you used fits within the aluminum outer shell and rests on the plastic chassis? Not in the chamber? and that still allows the igo-l to seat enough to keep the outer shell in place? Good stuff there...
Thank you kindly Eddie. Means a lot coming from someone who does the same extremely well
Exactly. It was pure, dumb luck having a 510 connector I bought a year ago and one O-ring in the assortment I just got work out that way.
Here's the O-ring dropping into the small chamfer at the top of the chassis:
It's in place:
The cover is on, O-ring fits inside the cover and is higher than the top of the cover. I actually think that it might also seal on the OD of the O-ring to the cover as well as vertically once it's assembled. In any case it does not leak anywhere.
And while I was taking pictures, here's the second coil I made tonight. I was not happy with the first one from yesterday. I also just drilled out the air hole to 0.050" from about 0.040". Meters at 0.7 ohms and vapes much better. Planning to have a go at micro coils soon.
One final pic:
I like how that looks. Have you tried a SS wick? Really works well imo.
You still have the only issue I have with my squid it looks like. To disassemble you have to remove the top cap? I've been thinking of soldering a small piece of metal tubing to the base of squid. Something that extends up slightly to grip to turn without disturbing the top cap. Would fit just around the squid dimensions. Just have to find the tubing...
You still have the only issue I have with my squid it looks like. To disassemble you have to remove the top cap? I've been thinking of soldering a small piece of metal tubing to the base of squid. Something that extends up slightly to grip to turn without disturbing the top cap. Would fit just around the squid dimensions. Just have to find the tubing...
I have not tried SS in this yet. Your wick looks great! Love SS it in my AGA-T. This is the first time I've built with silica and I'm still getting to know it. Micro coils interest me too. I've got some 1 mm ekowool coming this weekend and cotton balls are easy to get.
Taking the cap off to get inside the Vmod is not bothering me yet, but I'll definitely keep this in mind. Probably only a matter of time. I'm also thinking of taking the shine off the IGO to better match the Vmod. It's too bad it's almost a textured finish as opposed to brushed. I know I can change that too, but I like the text on it and I think that would come off fast if I started messing with it. Going to live with it for a while before I do anything
Taking the cap off to get inside the Vmod is not bothering me yet, but I'll definitely keep this in mind. Probably only a matter of time. I'm also thinking of taking the shine off the IGO to better match the Vmod. It's too bad it's almost a textured finish as opposed to brushed. I know I can change that too, but I like the text on it and I think that would come off fast if I started messing with it. Going to live with it for a while before I do anything
I've tried silica, ceramic sleeve,....I still think SS gives the cleanest flavor.
I ordered a trident from FT going to try a dual coil setup. Will update when I do.
I ordered a trident from FT going to try a dual coil setup. Will update when I do.
Got the trident. Set up the dual coil with ceramic sleeve. Haven't drilled it out yet. Have both coils glowing evenly. .07ohm reading. Getting the air inlets aligned right is giving me issues. Seems simple and obvious. Just isn't. Was too irritated and nicotined out to persist tonight.
It's a quality build. Especially for$16. The only thing I would prefer is for the wire attachments be"set" higher so the coils sat off the deck more without having to flex them up. Try again tomorrow... with SS
It's a quality build. Especially for$16. The only thing I would prefer is for the wire attachments be"set" higher so the coils sat off the deck more without having to flex them up. Try again tomorrow... with SS
Looks like it will produce a lot of vapor Eddie!
Did you have to modify the brass screw? I take it it screws into the positive post. Is it adjustable in height or do you have to screw it all the way in?
How does it vape?
Did you have to modify the brass screw? I take it it screws into the positive post. Is it adjustable in height or do you have to screw it all the way in?
How does it vape?
It works well. Getting the airholes aligned just right is a PITA. Produces a good amount of vapor but, is airy. Then when you adjust you lose the vapor. I'm still learning, my first dual coil.
Screw is adjustable. I think when I notched it though I took away the friction that kept it in place. The top post wouldn't move and I made sure of that prior. Now though I guess with the liquid acting as a lubricant it shifts and the screw along with the post push in and up. Annoyed. drilling down that screw being so narrow would be tough.
So far I prefer my squid on the vmod but,I haven't messed with the trident enough to have a real opinion.
Screw is adjustable. I think when I notched it though I took away the friction that kept it in place. The top post wouldn't move and I made sure of that prior. Now though I guess with the liquid acting as a lubricant it shifts and the screw along with the post push in and up. Annoyed. drilling down that screw being so narrow would be tough.
So far I prefer my squid on the vmod but,I haven't messed with the trident enough to have a real opinion.
So I made my first micro coil for the IGO. 27 awg Kanthal, 9 wraps for about 1.0 ohm and cotton from a Q-Tip. Wrapped around a 1/16" screwdriver. I was going to try 1 mm Ekowool, but getting some has not worked out for me yet so I got tired of waiting and tried it this way. I think I'm not going to bother with the Ekowool.
The picture was taken after about an hour of use. I've put about 6 ml through it now and the wick is surprisingly still just fine. Great vapor production but I'm missing a bit of flavor compared to my gennie setups. I am liking it enough to use it as my main vape though since I made this coil, which will give me a lot more experience with it and the Vmod.
I finally learned how to squonk successfully with this setup. What I do is turn the Vmod part way upside down and give it a small squeeze. Then turn it upright and squonk until what is in the reservoir is pushed into the RDA and it gurgles. That's becoming very consistent for me.
The picture was taken after about an hour of use. I've put about 6 ml through it now and the wick is surprisingly still just fine. Great vapor production but I'm missing a bit of flavor compared to my gennie setups. I am liking it enough to use it as my main vape though since I made this coil, which will give me a lot more experience with it and the Vmod.
I finally learned how to squonk successfully with this setup. What I do is turn the Vmod part way upside down and give it a small squeeze. Then turn it upright and squonk until what is in the reservoir is pushed into the RDA and it gurgles. That's becoming very consistent for me.
Nice one. Yeah,I just haven't found anything as clean tasting as SS. Stuff passes but, SS is just slightly better IMO. The other thing I like about it in a dripper is when switching flavors. You can really get most of the previous flavor's flavor gone before dripping a new one... With cotton, hemp twine, silica, ceramic sleeve... the previous flavor is really present....
Not pretending to tell you something you don't already know but, the key to a good wicking SS wick is getting the first inner 4mm of mesh in a really tight roll and making a solid wick. Not so important in these drippers but, everything in a genny...
Not pretending to tell you something you don't already know but, the key to a good wicking SS wick is getting the first inner 4mm of mesh in a really tight roll and making a solid wick. Not so important in these drippers but, everything in a genny...
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