Want to get into mechanical mods

[DWright]

Reading about them can only get me so far. So I'm thinking about buying a few things to get started. Would someone mind looking over my shopping list and let me know if this will be a good "friendly" starter for a mech mod beginner?

Battery: Sony US18650VTC3 18650 1600mAh 3.7V Rechargeable Li-ion batteries
Charger: NITECORE i2 Intellicharger
mod: Nemesis
RTA: Kayfun Lite
Voltmeter: Actually have a old one. Plan to pick up a new one - Digital Multimeter Voltmeter Ammeter Ohmmeter OHM Volt AC DC Meter

If I'm missing anything please let me know. Also, I'm shopping around for something "easy" to work on at the moment. Until I can fully understand the mechanics. I would feel a lot more comfortable getting started with a basic set-up.

Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[DWright]

Actually, I see they make Ohm readers specifically for RBA/RDAs. I might grab that over another voltmeter since I have one.

 

[Bigflyrodder]

Good start, would suggest stepping up to the Sony VTC4 or 5 with the battery or even the AW IMR 1600mah for safety reasons but if you are only going to be running a Kafun type topper you should be fine. Do yourself a favor and spend the few bucks to get a 510 ohm meter, they are great to build on and easy to read without having to do the math (you have to subtract the lead resistance when using a standard meter).

Good luck and ask lots of questions. Know Ohms law and battery safety and you'll be fine.

 

[DWright]

Got it. Thanks a bunch

 

[FallenRawToast]

You got the basics, so a great starting place.

You might want to think about some ceramic tweezers, they are great for fiddling with the coil, when it is hot and you are test firing and wont conduct.
I will just assume you already have some cutters, wick and kanthal.

 

[DWright]

You got the basics, so a great starting place.

You might want to think about some ceramic tweezers, they are great for fiddling with the coil, when it is hot and you are test firing and wont conduct.
I will just assume you already have some cutters, wick and kanthal.

Good call, didn't even think about the wick and kanthal. Thanks.

Don't have any ceramic tweezers either. I do have some wooden toothpicks however. If I can get away with using those

 

[Talons001]

Good call, didn't even think about the wick and kanthal. Thanks.

Don't have any ceramic tweezers either. I do have some wooden toothpicks however. If I can get away with using those

I don't think I would recommend toothpicks. You need something you can grip and apply pressure to to coils with. And the tweezers work extremely well. You could look for a coil building kit, the have them for ~$30. Comes with two sets of tweezers, pliers, cutters and some wicking and wire.

 

[Talons001]

Some of the coil building kits also come with 4 or 5 various size rods and a wrapping jig for easier coil making.

 

[jaxgator]

I would think you know this already but in case you forgot, you'll also need some coil building material (Kanthal for example) and some wicking material (CCR for example).

 

[edyle]

Reading about them can only get me so far. So I'm thinking about buying a few things to get started. Would someone mind looking over my shopping list and let me know if this will be a good "friendly" starter for a mech mod beginner?

Battery: Sony US18650VTC3 18650 1600mAh 3.7V Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries
Charger: NITECORE i2 Intellicharger
Mod: Nemesis
RTA: Kayfun Lite
Voltmeter: Actually have a old one. Plan to pick up a new one - Digital Multimeter Voltmeter Ammeter Ohmmeter OHM Volt AC DC Meter

If I'm missing anything please let me know. Also, I'm shopping around for something "easy" to work on at the moment. Until I can fully understand the mechanics. I would feel a lot more comfortable getting started with a basic set-up.

Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

It would help if you mention why you are interested in a mech mod, and what you are vaping on at the moment and how much experience you have.

Based on your list which includes an RTA, it sounds like you are interested in rebuildables, not mech mods.
(Although a mech mod is good to have for backup purposes).

If you get a mech mod I also suggest you get one that will optionally take a kick module along with the standard 18650 battery.


If it is high powered vaping that you are interested in, there 30, 50 and 100 watt regulated mods to consider.

 

[Nightshard]

VTC4s are much better, that is if you can find them and they are authentic.
Get two batteries, one in the mod, other in the charger.
An Ohm meter with a 510 connector makes measuring easier and it also works as a building stand.
For a kayfun i would go with 28AWG Kanthal.

 

[DWright]

It would help if you mention why you are interested in a mech mod, and what you are vaping on at the moment and how much experience you have.

Based on your list which includes an RTA, it sounds like you are interested in rebuildables, not mech mods.
(Although a mech mod is good to have for backup purposes).

If you get a mech mod I also suggest you get one that will optionally take a kick module along with the standard 18650 battery.


If it is high powered vaping that you are interested in, there 30, 50 and 100 watt regulated mods to consider.

Thanks for the information. I'm currently using a Inno starter kit. I want to go with a mech mod for a couple reasons.
1- I like the way they look.
2- Fail safe (ish). If anything goes on it, I know I can fix it. Don't need to have to worry about any wires. If nothing else, cheap part replacement.

As far as experience. None. Besides what I have read. I know its not the same.. but , I do have a little bit experience. Built a shed / chicken coop on my property running a 120 feed to it & a little experience with a 220 on a water pump. Know how to use a voltmeter. But yeah, I really have no experience with mech mod/RTAs. I want to learn though. I just have to start somewhere.

Not really looking for a high power mod/vaping. Just looking for an every day use mod.


And yes, I have no idea what a kick module is. I will look into it though

Also want to thank everyone that have shared their input here, Helps a ton, thank you!

 

[DWright]

As far as the RTA goes. I'm looking at 28 Gauge Kanthal A1 Wire + ORGANIC COTTON wick coil. From the videos I watched, looked very simple.

Please let me know if these are OK for a kayfun lite rebuild.

 

[Warpigs]

Welcome to ECF! Safe travels on the building. Enjoy!

 

[Susan~S]

For an education on mech mods and rebuildables I highly recommend you spend some time with Baditude (our resident battery expert) and visit his blogs. They contain a lot of great information and links. Blog link is here. The blogs regarding mods and rebuildables are listed below:

BATTERIES

9. Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

11. Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries Part 1
* For those who want to learn the differences between IMR, IMR/hybrid, and ICR batteries. What do those numbers and letters on batteries mean? What's an amp rating?

12. Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries Part 2
* Protected vs unprotected batteries - what's the difference? Ohm's Law 101. What is an AW battery? What is an inline fuse? What is stacking batteries?

17. Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

OHM'S LAW

14. Ohm's Law for Dummies (Vapers)
* My attempt at explaining Ohm's Law in layman terms and how it relates to vaping.

16. Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations
* As simple as it is to use, some people have a tough time grasping the concept. Warning: Includes graphic photos of mod explosions.

MECHANICAL MODS & REBUILDABLES

7. Information Resources for Your First RBA
* An essential read and referrance guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

15. Inexpensive Mechanical Mod and RDA Setup
* A response to the frequently asked question on how to get into rebuildable atomizers with a mechanical mod inexpensively. Includes a list of commonly used tools and supplies for rebuilding and where to find them.

BATTERIES - WHERE TO BUY

How to Spot Fake Sony Batteries


Only buy batteries from a reputable supplier (not ebay or Amazon) as there are many counterfeit batteries being sold. Here are several reputable battery suppliers in the US.

* RTD Vapor
* Illumination Supply
* Lighthound
* Orbtronics

 

[cwoodnola]

One advantage buying from you local vape store is that they will usually help you build your first set of coils and have some good advice for you too. Some want to charge you to build your coils the shop I use will do it for nothing. They built my first set after that I built my own. Just takes some practice and patience.

 

[edyle]

Thanks for the information. I'm currently using a Inno starter kit. I want to go with a mech mod for a couple reasons.
1- I like the way they look.
2- Fail safe (ish). If anything goes on it, I know I can fix it. Don't need to have to worry about any wires. If nothing else, cheap part replacement.

As far as experience. None. Besides what I have read. I know its not the same.. but , I do have a little bit experience. Built a shed / chicken coop on my property running a 120 feed to it & a little experience with a 220 on a water pump. Know how to use a voltmeter. But yeah, I really have no experience with mech mod/RTAs. I want to learn though. I just have to start somewhere.

Not really looking for a high power mod/vaping. Just looking for an every day use mod.


And yes, I have no idea what a kick module is. I will look into it though

Also want to thank everyone that have shared their input here, Helps a ton, thank you!

1: a mech mod has no electronics to mechs can be very small.
2: a mech I highly recommend as a failsafe kind of backup.

For someone with no experience, I strongly suggest you get as your main device a regulated mod such as the mvp2 or the istick or other;
If for cost reasons you have to use a mech then I stongly advise getting on with the kick option.

The first time a battery vented on me it was an ego battery; no particular reason I know of why it vented, so lucky me I gained a healthy respect for lithium batteries.

If you are not looking for high powered vaping over 15 watts, then there's a wide choice of low to medium powered regulated mods to choose from. The MVP2 is perhaps still the best bang for the buck in batteries obtainable at $40; but it only goes up to 11 watts which if fine for single coils; the istick is very new and it goes up to some 30 watts for a comparable price.

Other mods to consider at low end of costs are the vamo svd sid zmax tesla. typically they go up to 15 watts on lower end versions.
There are more and more 30 watt+ mods coming out, some with 2 batteries parallel to supply the power.