Wire Rope for Wick?

[shortyjacobs]

So is anyone else using a rope wick on a daily basis?

I got tired of my 1.5" x 3" 500 mesh wick's performance. Once I was spoiled by the 7x7 rope wick, I couldn't stand this for long. I lightly torched another section of 7x7 316 SS rope wick, hopefully thermally decomposing the nylon-like thread inside it. Then I gave it 3x ultrasonic treatments in oxiclean, followed by 3x water ultrasonic treatments. Wrapped about 1 cm of 500 mesh around the top to make a hybrid, and made a 0.8 ohm, 4 wrap, 28 ga coil. It's insane how much better it works. Either I really suck at making solid mesh wicks, or rope wicks are way better.

I just hope someday I can find some stuff without nylon thread. I figure I've inhaled a lot of burning plastic in the past, a tiny bit of thread shouldn't hurt too much, (especially since I torched it first and hopefully reduced it to ash).

 

[foggybottom]

So is anyone else using a rope wick on a daily basis?

I got tired of my 1.5" x 3" 500 mesh wick's performance. Once I was spoiled by the 7x7 rope wick, I couldn't stand this for long. I lightly torched another section of 7x7 316 SS rope wick, hopefully thermally decomposing the nylon-like thread inside it. Then I gave it 3x ultrasonic treatments in oxiclean, followed by 3x water ultrasonic treatments. Wrapped about 1 cm of 500 mesh around the top to make a hybrid, and made a 0.8 ohm, 4 wrap, 28 ga coil. It's insane how much better it works. Either I really suck at making solid mesh wicks, or rope wicks are way better.

I just hope someday I can find some stuff without nylon thread. I figure I've inhaled a lot of burning plastic in the past, a tiny bit of thread shouldn't hurt too much, (especially since I torched it first and hopefully reduced it to ash).

Did you oxidize the mesh sleeve?
I must admit that between the nylon thread, the Cr6 issue and the fact that I've been busy, I've sadly temporarily reverted back to a vivi nova.

 

[shortyjacobs]

Did you oxidize the mesh sleeve?
I must admit that between the nylon thread, the Cr6 issue and the fact that I've been busy, I've sadly temporarily reverted back to a vivi nova.

Washed it in soap, then did a couple juice burns. It never got red hot.

 

[silentnights]

Just ordered a few different thicknesses and configurations from westmarine.com and will report back on how well they work for me.

CABLE-RUNN 3/32 7X19 T304 12046751 In stock 2 $0.99 $1.98
CABLE-STRAND-1/8 1X19 T316 3273679 In stock 1 $1.02 $1.02
CABLE-RUNN 1/16 7X7 T304 12046819 In stock 3 $0.40 $1.20
CABLE-STAND SS 3MM 1X7/FT 12046942 In stock 1 $3.25 $3.25

 

[shortyjacobs]

Just ordered a few different thicknesses and configurations from westmarine.com and will report back on how well they work for me.

CABLE-RUNN 3/32 7X19 T304 12046751 In stock 2 $0.99 $1.98
CABLE-STRAND-1/8 1X19 T316 3273679 In stock 1 $1.02 $1.02
CABLE-RUNN 1/16 7X7 T304 12046819 In stock 3 $0.40 $1.20
CABLE-STAND SS 3MM 1X7/FT 12046942 In stock 1 $3.25 $3.25

Nifty, never thought of stalking marine shops. That 1/8" 1x19 T316 looks interesting - I'm still wondering about my 304 vs 316 SS theory, (it being that 316 wicks better...)

 

[shortyjacobs]

Welp, the 1x7 316 SS is a complete bust.

So far, here's my findings:

1x7 316SS - Barely wicks at all, useless. No thread.
7x7 316SS - Wicks extremely well, stuff from amazonsupply has thread in the center.
7x19 304SS - Marginal wicking, (4x as slow as 7x7), thread in center.
1x19 304SS - No wicking, no thread.

 

[KiloWatts]

Awesome finds. Posting to keep up.

 

[silentnights]

Would a super hydrophilic coating be a potential solution? Technology | Lotus Leaf Coatings sub 5% contact angle and stable up to 525 degrees C.

 

[silentnights]

wow..... gotta love youtube: Water Sheeting Properties of HydroPhil and on flat copper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zWuVAhtgXc

 

[harmonic]

so where else can this 7x7 ss rope be found in smaller quantities? i would love to try some with just a layer of say cotton thread under the coil but i really cant justify 25 feet just to play with when its only going to be used a couple inches at a time if at all... any popular hardware stores or such?
and i wonder if the end was frayed a bit could the thread just be pulled out of the center of a short piece...

 

[wacko78]

Bookmarking to read through this thread later. Experimentation is cool.

 

[millertime660]

so where else can this 7x7 ss rope be found in smaller quantities? i would love to try some with just a layer of say cotton thread under the coil but i really cant justify 25 feet just to play with when its only going to be used a couple inches at a time if at all... any popular hardware stores or such?
and i wonder if the end was frayed a bit could the thread just be pulled out of the center of a short piece...

I was thinking the same thing... Then I realized it was only 3 bucks

 

[harmonic]

3$ ?! amazon that im looking at is 15 plus shipping. a bit steep for my budget right now for something to "play" with
though if it works like i want idk.....
lol

 

[shortyjacobs]

3$ ?! amazon that im looking at is 15 plus shipping. a bit steep for my budget right now for something to "play" with
though if it works like i want idk.....
lol

Those .......s! It used to be $3.22. I just checked by clicking through the link in my "previously ordered" file, and it's up to $14.55! The 7x19 that was $3.02 is now $7.02. Must be because we're ordering it!

Check around at some hardware stores nearby, I know a bunch of people have found 7x7 SS there, otherwise let me know, I'll see what I can do.

 

[The Hill Giant]

Just want to chime in real quick and let you all know that I am having incredible success with the wire rope wicks and will be talking about it tomorrow on my show. I had to drop down from 1.2 ohms to .9 ohms on my Somnium because of over-wicking with no tilt.

 

[harmonic]

ok i found some 3/32 7x7 at one of the local mom and pop places for 69 cents a foot. they didnt have the 1/16. the other place only has the galvinized stuff. im pretty sure its too big to fit the several devices i alread have (which i dont want to drill out either) and i wont have my aga for another month so i dont have anything to test it in but i put a drop of juice on it and it seemed to take a few moments to soak in. perhaps the cut end would soak it up faster? i also unravled the end a bit and there is no evidence of any thread or anything else in the center.
the sticker on the spool said Koch Industries Inc among the other stuff if anybody wants to search brand specific. i took a pic in case anybody wants to see it. i didnt get a chance to ask but i might stop back in there and talk to the guy in charge and see if they might get the 1/16 in or perhaps even order some just because i want to buy a bit. im not for sure but if the 3/32 didnt have a thread perhaps the 1/16 wouldnt either....

 

[silentnights]

This: Koch 1 Foot of Stainless Steel Cable 7x7 3/32" 015073 by Koch Industries, Inc. for $0.32 in Cable - Accessories - Cable - Chain - Rope - General Hardware - Hardware : Rural King

ok i found some 3/32 7x7 at one of the local mom and pop places for 69 cents a foot. they didnt have the 1/16. the other place only has the galvinized stuff. im pretty sure its too big to fit the several devices i alread have (which i dont want to drill out either) and i wont have my aga for another month so i dont have anything to test it in but i put a drop of juice on it and it seemed to take a few moments to soak in. perhaps the cut end would soak it up faster? i also unravled the end a bit and there is no evidence of any thread or anything else in the center.
the sticker on the spool said Koch Industries Inc among the other stuff if anybody wants to search brand specific. i took a pic in case anybody wants to see it. i didnt get a chance to ask but i might stop back in there and talk to the guy in charge and see if they might get the 1/16 in or perhaps even order some just because i want to buy a bit. im not for sure but if the 3/32 didnt have a thread perhaps the 1/16 wouldnt either....

 

[harmonic]

This: Koch 1 Foot of Stainless Steel Cable 7x7 3/32" 015073 by Koch Industries, Inc. for $0.32 in Cable - Accessories - Cable - Chain - Rope - General Hardware - Hardware : Rural King

yup thats what i got. nice find. though the cheapest shipping method is 5.60

 

[KiloWatts]

Blam. Now that's a good price! Count me in. Will report findings.

 

[Vap Khymyst]

Ordered some of the KOCH tonight!