What's up with wicks?

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sk8mdw

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that makes sense.. I kinda tried that method with the silica because there was no way that I was going to be able to wrap 28awg around it in any accurate way.. but then my silica kinda disintegrated into individual strands as I pulled it through..

would the gauze be alright to use?

I know that some people are using gauze, but I don't know what kind. A search for gauze on this site and on YouTube may point you in the right direction. I have used organic cotton balls and they wick really well.
 

grainey1968

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I have used SS Rope in my Cobra. Obviously this works best in genesis style rba's.
Pros --
No rolling
Great TH, flavor and vapor
Last forever
Wicks really well (surprisingly) no tilting
Very inexpensive

Cons --
Can be hard to setup and eliminate hotspots (this can be easy fix if your cover the coil area with silica, nextel or cotton sleeve)
 

grainey1968

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What's up with this "checking for hot spots" when not using ss mesh? I've never checked for hotspots on anything I've built that wasn't mesh. What are these "hotspots" when there isn't conductive material in your wick?

Not sure where you read "checking for hotspots" pdid? I read the posts on this thread and did not see anyone checking for hotspots on non conductive material. I mentioned hotspots can be an issue when using SS rope for the first time - is that what you are referring to?

Sorry if I have overlooked it!!
 

pdib

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quick question for cotton users..

I'm used to building SS wicks for RBA's, but I just got an IGO-W and the whole mesh wick doesn't work real well in it.. and I have no silica..

I do, however, have access to endless amounts of 100% cotton gauze.. are they safe to use? Also, given the combustability (is that a word?) of cotton.. how do you check for hotspots on a coil wrapped on cotton without burning it?

thanks!

Build your coil on a small drill bit or toothpick, mount it (no wick yet), and test for hot spots. Pulsing the coil also has the benefit of stiffening the coil up. When you are happy with it pull your cotton wick through the coil, wet it and vape away.

oh, i just meant that ↑

But I read it frequently, w/ people wrapping silica n such.


EDIT: I guess I just finally got around to asking, since I keep seeing it here and there.
 

grainey1968

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oh, i just meant that ↑

But I read it frequently, w/ people wrapping silica n such.


EDIT: I guess I just finally got around to asking, since I keep seeing it here and there.

Apologies! I did not read the posts thoroughly enough - shame on me! Well spotted pdid! I am glad that you did ask the question - if you are going to give advice' make sure that it is accurate!!!
 

Heavyrocker

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I'd like to get an idea of how people are wicking different setups, but I'd mostly like to get an idea of what's out there without scouring threads for the gold nugget of "I use ____ and it's ____." Let us know what you do and the pros and cons you've experienced!

So far, this is what I've tried:

good ol' silica:
PROS performs relatively well. doesn't burn or singe. You can dry burn it.
CONS may be bad for you, deteriorates into shards

SS mesh:
PROS does not burn, good heat transfer. Performs well. Easy to wrap coils around. You can dry burn it.
CONS conductivity causes issues for newbies

Cotton Balls/Rolled Cotton:
PROS performs exceptionally well. Great flavor. Cheap
CONS burns/singes. Replace often. No dry burns without removal of wick (prolly time for a new one, anyway ;)

Cotton/Hemp Yarns:
PROS performs exceptionally well. Great flavor. Cheap. Pre-formed(no pulling or rolling)
CONS burns/singes. Replace often. Less freedom than rolled/balls of cotton.



Porous Ceramic:
Pros- great flavor, no rolling
Cons- fragile, non conductive, not for inexperienced
(From vapdivvr)

Nextel XC-116 Ceramic Braid:
Pros- easy to wrap, not conductive, can be dry burned
Cons- *SS mesh tastes better
(From Flyer)

SS cable rope is the new rage.

PROS: Easy too wrap,its stiff,wicks better than mesh,taste EXCELLENT,its dirt cheap too buy,last 20 life times.

CONS: Hard too cut,you need heavy duty cutters.
 
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grainey1968

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I don't know, maybe I'm just all "devil may care" with my builds. Should I be checking something? (I do meter on my "franken-vamo": busted and soldered/rewired)



BTW, grainey, checking for hot spots on ss rope? What's that all . . . . . . . (JK)

You are not a nice person pdid. You will never get to heaven for winding people up . . . . LOL!
 

sk8mdw

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What's up with this "checking for hot spots" when not using ss mesh? I've never checked for hotspots on anything I've built that wasn't mesh. What are these "hotspots" when there isn't conductive material in your wick?

Hmmm... I guess the numerous threads of people experiencing hotspots with silica (and other nin-mesh materials) wicks in this forum are all just a figment of my imagination. It makes me feel better for you to say that's not possible. I'm only using silica from now on!
 

CloudZ

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Just wondering about the silica hotspot thing... what do you call it when you have a gap between the silica wick and the coil in one place? This spot is likely to get a little hotter, burn whatever juice the coil touches there, and negatively impact flavor. I've had it happen when wrapping around a bundle of 3 or 4 lengths of silica, especially sub-ohm. Probably just a poorly-wrapped coil I guess.
 

pdib

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I don't know, maybe I'm just all "devil may care" with my builds. Should I be checking something? (I do meter on my "franken-vamo": busted and soldered/rewired)



BTW, grainey, checking for hot spots on ss rope? What's that all . . . . . . . (JK)

Hmmm... I guess the numerous threads of people experiencing hotspots with silica (and other nin-mesh materials) wicks in this forum are all just a figment of my imagination. It makes me feel better for you to say that's not possible. I'm only using silica from now on!

I meant that.

I see, so people call those hot spots, too. ok. (I don't mean to sound anything but naive when I say, I've never had that problem. So, that's why I was ignorant about all of this.) Thanks.
 

JD1

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I've been recommended the cheesecloth before, just keep forgetting to pick some up. How much do you use in a 1/16 coil? Is it stuffed or loose?

I noticed a group buy for chrome foam. Looks to be the new magnificence. I'm not much of an early adopter, so I think I'll just kick back and see how people fare with the stuff. I'd feel much better if it was ss.

Yeal, me too. I may try it one of these days but I'm pretty happy with the cheese cloth.

I cut my cheese cloth into strips, making sure to cut along one of the threads and making sure that the denser weave is length wise and the lesser weave becomes the cross threads. I count 12 threads or measure 9/16th inch for the strips, then use 3 of those to roll 3 separate wicks, twist the ends together and spin them into the coil. The fit loosely snug and need to soak a good while to expand. I have four 804's so letting one soak overnight isn't a problem.

I may be going to more trouble than I need to, but when I used one wider strip I often has trouble pulling it out with out pulling the coil some. With three small wicks, I can tease out a couple of threads, then one of the wicks, and then the other two without disturbing the coil at all. Also, I've got it my head that they wick a hair better also but that may just be in my head lol. All I can say is that I get very consistent results this way. :vapor:
 
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