What do I need to know about using a reo?

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Nikinic

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Ok so I did a lot of reading and video watching last night (read in the early AM today). What do I need to know about using a mech mod? By that I mean the idea behind it scares me a little. How do I make sure I remain safe? What do I need to avoid? I hope that makes sense. I will fully admit that I am uneducated when it comes to this and it intimates me just a little bit.
 

SteamStack

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Really nothing to be scared of on the reo as the spring is your fail safe. If you short the coil the spring will collapse to break the connection so you don't hurt your battery.

That's why it's smart to order a spare spring just encase as it would hurt to spend 7 on shipping for a $5 spring.

Also make sure to add 2 magnets just encase one loosens and falls off. There .50 ea so another item you may need in the future. I've had thst happen quite a few times over the 4 years with reos.. spill over juice under the door will loosen the glue holding the magnets over time.

In order to short your atty you build you would have to ha e your coil touch the bottom metal deck or the side of the lid. if your carefully thst would never happen. I've yet to do it but I have 2 extra springs just encase hehe.

Also get yourself one of those coil ohm readers. Test your build on there first.

Don't allow your battery to drop too low. Usually you'll know when, when the vspor gets weak when it reaches 3.6-3.7v. Usually when your bottle is getting low it's about time to swap out the battery on a grand. That will vary depending on how low your coil is.. mine is usually around .80 - 1ohm.

I believe the cut off for batteries we use (aw) is around 3.2v. I never go below 3.5v. Like I said you'll know long before it reaches that.

Grab an extra tube just encase your cracks years from now.

So grab:

Extra spring
2-4 magnets
extra tube for grand.
Maybe an extra possitive contact just encase if you want.


Also never file the gold plated possitive connection. Only use isopropyl alcohol 91 or 99% if you can find it at a grocery store or drug store in the pharmacy. Use thst with a qtip to rub the connections clean on the mod and your battery contacts. Also pick up deoxit gold pen from amazon and put a little bit on the possitive contact to keep it working great and arc free! Only need thst prob once a week or month.. prob depends on how low your coils are.

Great place to buy the coil ohm reader is herehttp://Cartomizer and Atomizer Ohm Meter - RTD vapor

Also just happends to be the best place to buy your aw batteries as well ;)
 
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Debadoo

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You won't be sorry, and welcome!!! Jup it can be a bit pricey to get started, but once you get what you need, maintaining your vaping costs nearly nothing.

As to the mech side, I was also kind of scared of that, but the Reo just made it not scary. First day I got it, I was scared to death I was gonna collapse a spring, but I didn't. I've had to acquire things little by little, and used a VW mod to check my ohms, and to check for a short at first. Check it with the top cap on and drip tip in if you use a metal drip tip. You just need to make sure there isn't a short, and that your batts can handle the ohms.

I notice the vape dropping off when my batts get around 3.9, so I pop a new one in. RTD vapor for button top Aw imr 1600's (many say they hold the first part of the charge longer than 2200's) You don't want 2000's at all. Flat top samsung 25r's are also good, but the reo was built for the button top aw imr.

I also 2nd the Rm2 from Rob to start, since it seems perfectly suited to your vaping style, and is soooo easy to build. Also 2nd getting a coil master coil jig. Perfect coil in seconds!

If you don't have flush cut wire cutters yet, nail clippers are perfect for snipping wire.

I got the small tube of deoxit gold from amazon, will last a long time. Just a drop on my finger, rub on both ends of battery, the spring and the positive contact. With higher ohms you may not need it, but for 8.00 it's good to have if you do. You'll get some noalox with the Reo (if you order from Rob) but the deoxit is much less messy and easier to use.

You can call or pm Rob to see if he has any blemished mods, they run around 120ish it seems like a ton of overwhelming info, but it's not really. And as you've seen, there are tons of helpful folks to get you goin!
 

Doffy

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for mech mods use this Ohms Law Calculator

put 4.2 in volts, your resistance under resistance and click calculate. then take note of the current [amps] and make sure it is well within battery limits

when you put it on the ohm meter, you want the number to stay steady, if it jumps around, check your screws are snug tight. check it when you make the coil, then dry burn and check again, put in cotton and check again, put on the cap and check again. if the resistance seems to jump on one step you probably knocked a screw loose. if it reads a short then check the coil is not touching against the cap, or the base etc

as others have said it is a learning process but nothing to fear

use good batteries and a good charger
 

Njt07

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I replace my coils about 1x a month and my cotton wick about once a week. That said, I only vape about 6mls a day.

Ok... this turned out a heck of a lot longer than i expected. It sounds a lot more involved than I described, sorry bout that.

You will need:
1/16 drill bit
kanthal 28g (30 gauge heats up too quick and will burn the yarn)
fingernail clippers
micro Phillips head screw driver
Reo (mini!)
Rm2

For about .9-1 ohm coil (my personal sweet spot for battery, flavor and vapor) do the following

--Wrap the Kanthal around the smooth part of the drill bit 6 times (if you look at it head on with the tails behind it, it will look like 7...).
--squeeze the wraps together to compress the coil (don't worry, they wont stay together)
--stick the tails into the posts. **important** place the coil at the edge of the Rm2 (over the side with the hole) squarely centered on the posts) and place your thumb on the coil and drill bit (still in the coil)
--Screw in the posts to hold the wire keeping your thumb on the coil at the edge of the RM2 (eyeball it). cut off the tails with the fingernail clippers, make sure you cut the tails as close as possible to the posts.
--using the drill bit still in the coil raise the coil until you can JUST see under it to the back if held to eye level.
--at this point I just test the coil by using my Reo, but for safety sake I have to say to use your tester thingy to make sure there aren't any shorts
--I use Walmart peaches and Cream 100% yarn. It will last forever... Cut off about 2 inches of yarn, and remove one strand.
--take the remaining 3 strands and thread it through the coil. Tuck the tails under the wires going to the posts to the "back". Cut off the yarn dangling over the edge.
--soak the coil and yarn with your juice and wait a bit.
--put the top on and vape!
 
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Nikinic

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Thank you all again. I'm going to start saving up. I'm thinking about the 200-250 range to get started. It will take a minute but I'm going to do it. I've been eyeballing these since 2012, I think it's time to take the plunge.
I just want to say thank you again for all of the information. I am sure you guys have given this advice over and over. I really did try and search but the amount of information here gets so overwhelming :) So thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so patient and understanding.
 

Sloth Tonight

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Looks like others have got you covered...my two cents...and many may disagree but that's why I say it's only two cents...personally, I feel way safer with my mechanical REO with a collapsable spring in the event of a short, than I would with a regulated mod. To be honest, I trust myself and my acquired knowledge - and that spring - more than any chip you could put in my mod. I just do. I don't trust electronics at all although I know 99% of them are safe and probably very safe...

Not to mention, chips eventually fail...so for longetivity, nothing shines like a mech mod.

It all boils down to battery safety and taking your time with the builds and you'll get the hang of it in no time flat :)

PS I second Deb's suggestion of a coil master...wrapping around drill bits, first of all, is the hardest way to wrap a coil IMO - precision screwdrivers are much, much better than that (they have a lip, makes it easier for me anyway) - but - why bother when you can make a perfectly uniform coil without even thinking about it :) sure I can wrap well by hand and you can too with little practice, but if I was just starting out again, the coil master would've been helpful. As a seasoned coil builder and hobbyist even, it's all I use these days. (FWIW, I rarely, if ever, endorse a Chinese product - nothing against China - I'm a keep it USA made kind of dude though...but, this product rocks)
 
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Sloth Tonight

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Thank you sloth. I have watched a few videos on the coil master and it seems right up my alley. As for safety I guess that's where my fear is, in my knowledge. I just have to do more research. I have plenty of time as I work on saving money :)
Right on Nikinic :) fear not, I felt the same way, and when I first fired my REO - LOL - I jumped back just in case :)

Truth be told, there's not really a lot to learn, and once you put it into practice and get a feel for it you'll feel like a rock star. And - worst comes to absolute worst - you drop a spring, replace it, and keep on keepin on :)
 

Fuzzy Bruce

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I am not really sure how one could collapse a spring if care and decent batteries are used. I build on one of those inexpensive volt/ohm boxes made just for vapers. Even though I mostly build coils the same way every time, I still check for shorts with the top cap off and then again with it on before I fire it up. Rarely do I ever need to pinch the coils. Just wick them and vape away.

My build is usually 0.5 ohms and with a topped off battery I am only using 8.4 amps. This leaves a decent margin for 20 amp batteries. Even dropping to 0.3 ohms, which I rarely do, the mod only requires 14 amps. With decent batteries, even this should be no problem.
 

RuDawg7890

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. (FWIW, I rarely, if ever, endorse a Chinese product - nothing against China - I'm a keep it USA made kind of dude though...but, this product rocks)

RTD has the Kuro Concepts version for $15, made in the USA.
 

Nikinic

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My build is usually 0.5 ohms and with a topped off battery I am only using 8.4 amps. This leaves a decent margin for 20 amp batteries. Even dropping to 0.3 ohms, which I rarely do, the mod only requires 14 amps. With decent batteries, even this should be no problem.

This is what I need to research on more. I'm pretty sure this isn't English lol :)
 

Sloth Tonight

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This is what I need to research on more. I'm pretty sure this isn't English lol :)


This lays it out well. Real easy stuff actually, don't be intimidated. In all honesty it boils down to: use a good battery. If you don't drop super sub ohm this won't get very involved for you :)
 

Nikinic

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This lays it out well. Real easy stuff actually, don't be intimidated. In all honesty it boils down to: use a good battery. If you don't drop super sub ohm this won't get very involved for you :)

I'm about to hear to bed so I will check this tomorrow. I'm not really interested in going sub ohm so I should be ok. Thanks again sloth :)
ETA well my tomorrow which is most people's today lol
 

Sloth Tonight

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I'm about to hear to bed so I will check this tomorrow. I'm not really interested in going sub ohm so I should be ok. Thanks again sloth :)
Then you'll be TOTALLY fine. Even at .35-.45 ohms, my daily gig, I have zero worries :)
Get some rest my friend. See ya around ;)
 

RuDawg7890

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Thanks man. I'm hooked on the coil master itself but I appreciate that brother. Go USA :)
No problem! I was looking into the coil master based on X's posts, and watch a review on coil master's site, the one guy said he like the Kuro better, but I was still looking for the coil master due to cost.
I happened to be on RTD getting new batteries, and I thought to see if they sell the coil master...no coil master but they had the Kuro kit for about the same price...umm...ok! Arrives tomorrow!

Anybody want an artistic wire jig?!
 

Sloth Tonight

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No problem! I was looking into the coil master based on X's posts, and watch a review on coil master's site, the one guy said he like the Kuro better, but I was still looking for the coil master due to cost.
I happened to be on RTD getting new batteries, and I thought to see if they sell the coil master...no coil master but they had the Kuro kit for about the same price...umm...ok! Arrives tomorrow!

Anybody want an artistic wire jig?!
I'm anxious to hear your thoughts on the Kuro kit! Nice find!
 
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