Wire Rope for Wick?

[CaliJeff]

Ceramic screw was mentioned. Googled it.

Price is high but could last.... a lifetime.

Ceramic Machine Screw, Hex Head, #4-40, 1" Length (Pack of 1): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

I'm really new at this but why not a Teflon screw? Great dialectic properties and heat resistance.

 

[bluegrasslover]

I thought it was an AC9.

So you wrapped the screw with cotton before wrapping the coil?

Yes. Just enough to insulate the coil from the screw.

 

[ethebull]

I'm really new at this but why not a Teflon screw? Great dialectic properties and heat resistance.

The non-stick properties of Teflon would work against good wicking. If you have one to try though, give it a go.

 

[mikepetro]

I believe teflon gives off bad stuff when heated above ~500 degrees. There is a lot of info regarding this concerning non-stick coatings on frying pans etc.

 

[pdib]

▲ yep. Can anyone dip a screw in a slurry and bake it?

 

[StaircaseWit]

Yes. Just enough to insulate the coil from the screw.

Really interesting stuff, thanks.

 

[thedesbois]

That screw thing... are you screwing with us? I tried many many different machine screws I had on hand and none will bring any ejuice or water up.

Am I missing something?

 

[shortyjacobs]

For you folks using a machine screw - is it actually wicking or just channelling? Are you tilting the atty when you take a drag, or is it actually pulling the liquid vertically?

I've been away from home for the past few days - I'm wondering if I have any screws small enough at home to try this out. Has anyone with successful "screw wicks" tried a wicking experiment when they dip the end into water/juice and see how long it takes to pull the liquid to the top? For reference, my 7x7 rope wick seems to pull water up the 1.5" in about 2 seconds, and about 5 seconds with juice, (tested by drying out the wick, then dry firing a coil on it to make it hot. Then I drip one drop of juice into the bottom of the atty and time how long it takes until the coil sizzles).

 

[pdib]

the screw doesn't wick. It has to be wet (not immersed, but wet). The liquid being vaporized (leaving the channels) draws more liquid up the threads behind it. In itself, the screw isn't better than wire rope. Just something to explore.

edit: the practical act of vaping contributes alot to this scenario. Half full tank, natural vaping motion and tilt. It works in practice, but not in theory

 

[bluegrasslover]

That screw thing... are you screwing with us? I tried many many different machine screws I had on hand and none will bring any ejuice or water up.

Am I missing something?

You are correct, but, how much juice does it trap in the threads? I haven't had to tilt or anything and I've gotten zero dry hits. Even trying I haven't gotten any dry hits. One of my diy flavors I vape daily is peppermint. Too much peppermint flavor with the screw.

dipped in some juice....

Believe me, I'm shocked. I was going to be happy if it worked at all. I've replaced my ceramic wicks with screws in my top 2 rbas. I want to get some wire rope to test to compare.

 

[StaircaseWit]

Any chance of the coil "oxidizing" itself to the screw the way it happens with mesh?

 

[pdib]

Yeah, when I tried it, I had to do the following to get a dry hit: Set it down for 10 minutes. Carefully pick it up and keep it perfectly vertical, then, while keeping vertical, chain vape it for about 2 minutes.

 

[pdib]

I torched my screw pretty good, and coiled "cross-thread" (with no other materials). It was fussy enough, though maybe not undoable, that I reached for the thin layer of ss mesh. If curious, I'd try again. (i.e. it was close)

 

[pdib]

So, I had disassembled my screw wick the same day I first posted the idea. All y'all talking about it some more got me curious again. I tried a bunch of stuff just now, and ended up back where I started, only with a few tiny refinements. SS mesh is exactly 1 layer and only starts at top of wick hole. 26 Nichrome wrapped right into the threads. Works like last time. No big deal. Keeps up with the .6Ω build.

View attachment 192673View attachment 192674

Bunch of stuff being, wire to screw contact in various ways. even though it was shorting into the screw, I had a proper ohm reading (about 1 ohm when I had 28 kanthal on it)

 

[Boden]

▲ yep. Can anyone dip a screw in a slurry and bake it?

You could, It would not work though. The different coefficient of thermal expansion of the two materials would make the ceramic layer just fall off when the steel expanded.

 

[Stadanko]

Wonder if a threaded screw would fit in a thin Pyrex / glass tube? Similar to some of those Scubabatdan experiments.

 

[pdib]

Wonder if a threaded screw would fit in a thin Pyrex / glass tube? Similar to some of those Scubabatdan experiments.

Yeah, but that makes too much sense. Boys and girls, I HAVE VAPED THE SCREW, and nothin' but the screw.

View attachment 192685View attachment 192686

 

[pdib]

Since I had threaded my wire right into the thread grooves, I unscrewed the screw and removed the mesh; then screwed it back in . . . . . . . . . didn't work. Then I did the cigarette rolling paper trick and twisted the coil tight into the screw threading, inserted, burned it off. . . . . . .and there you go! Was it a good vape? . . . . . . . . . Not in the least. You know, I let go of this business days ago. Now you got me all thinkin' about it again. Well I refuse! . . . . . . (no, really )

 

[pdib]

If someone else wants to try cigie paper and wrapping the coil opposite the thread of the screw . . . . . . that might work.

 

[davros]

My 3/32" and 1/8" SS wire rope came in today from McMaster Carr. Yay! Ready to give this try.