Your first build, did you....

[vapo jam]

Did it on my own. Spent a few cents per coil. I was lucky and it was easy. It was the age of the Genesis atomizer. If you can't build a coil for a Genesis atomizer, you most likely can't walk up right and definitely shouldn't be building coils. And you shouldn't be driving. Or handling firearms. Or fireworks. Or allowed to be without adult supervision.

yeah... i started on a genny and i had the complete opposite experience. took me hours to get the build right and the wire to not pop. fortunately, after that first genny, everything else has been ridiculously easy.

to be fair, it was an aga-t2, and i only had 30 and 32 gauge wire and an original vamo at the time.

 

[Grimwald]

When I started rebuilding I didn't know any vapers except my wife, and there were not any vapes shops close by and I did not have a mod that displayed ohms. So it was youtube, kanthal and an ohms meter from the internets, and cotton balls. I had a lot of small tools and magnifying visors from my watchmaking hobby. Actually turned out to be surprisingly easy. Kicked myself for waiting so long to try it.

 

[TruSound]

No
A few cents per build
No

YOUTUBE and a small degree of comprehension

What he said

 

[Vaslovik]

Did it on my own. Spent a few cents per coil. I was lucky and it was easy. It was the age of the Genesis atomizer. If you can't build a coil for a Genesis atomizer, you most likely can't walk up right and definitely shouldn't be building coils. And you shouldn't be driving. Or handling firearms. Or fireworks. Or allowed to be without adult supervision.

Thank you so very much for that! You are just delightful!

 

[HauntedMyst]

Thank you so very much for that! You are just delightful!

You are welcome!

 

[BreSha6869]

- I watched video's on youtube, so I guess you could say that I sat with lots of people to learn. (watch videos)

- Building coils costs pennies. Saves big $$.

- Wire and cotton.
I use a little 3.0mm screwdriver to wrap my coils on. My regulated mods read the ohm's.


I recommend getting an RDA to learn on. Lots more wiggle room in there than a tank/RTA.
My first RTA was the kanger subtank mini. They're very good and reliable tanks, and pretty simple to wick.
But again, I recommend learning on a basic/standard/straight-forward RDA.

My first was The Subtank Mini as well. Pretty easy but super tiny deck. The prewound coil already installed as well as a couple extra coils also is really helpful. Rolling your own coils for the Kanger RBA isn't that fun initially.

A RDA such as the Velocity is much easier to build on IME. Bigger deck and bigger post holes allow for bigger wire which for me is easier to work with and wick.

Personally, I think the Crave Steam Aromamizer is th best of both worlds.... It is a RTA with a big tank AND has the Velocity deck. I love mine!

 

[Str8vision]

I watched YouTube videos, considering how easy it is I was up and running in an hour or two. My first (single coil) build took half an hour to complete but my skill level improved with practice/experience and the time required to build/rebuild dropped dramatically. I'm quite old, have poor vision and my hands aren't as steady as they once were but even so building is relatively easy.

I buy in bulk, use 26ga Kanthal and wick with Japanese cotton at a total cost of around $0.02 per wicked coil. From a cost perspective, I can rebuild a dual coil atty for years for less money than what a single factory coil head would cost. However, cost really isn't a concern for me, the reason I build is -quality-.

I just use a small drill bit to wind coils around, works great for me. I had a Fluke multi-meter lying around and use it to check resistance, a regulated mod or ohm checker would work just as well. Regulated mods can keep you out of trouble but if you're using a mech (like I do) be sure you fully understand ohm's law and battery safety. Have fun with it and good luck!

 

[K_Tech]

My first attempts at rebuilding were Protank 2 heads, an RSST, and the SMOK "Scar" RDA. Like others here, I just watched videos and read a few threads here. I think I started with maybe $50 or so invested in various gauges of wire, a few sheets of SS mesh, and some different sizes of silica wick.

Tools were already on hand, but I've bought some that are specifically for rebuilding. At a minimum you could probably get away with nail clippers, tweezers, a few small screwdrivers (you can wrap coils on them as well), and an ohm reader. Wick and wire can be had for pretty cheap, especially if you go with organic cotton. A bag/box of Japanese cotton pads can be had for about $10 on Amazon, and will probably last you a few years.

As to what sort of tank to buy, it all depends how much you want to spend. For a nice single-coil tank experience, I think the Lemo 2 is a solid choice.

 

[guitardoc64]

My first build is in my subtank mini. It's on its fourth wick, still going strong. In the time I've used the RBA I've probably saved $60 in not buying replacement coils.

 

[Marina2]

I first built in an original Lemo rta. Not hard at all. Then I got a Stumpy and it's crazy easy to build on with only two posts inside and a lot of room. You can build it with your eyes closed.

Oh and I built it all by myself after reading lots here and watching lots of youtube. The first one worked great. I surprised myself. I'll never go back to buying coil heads again (started with a Nauti mini). I won't even look at a tank unless it has an rba available for it.

 

[Ryedan]

You are all awesome THANK YOU for all your replies!! Now my next question is, what type of rebuildable tank would you all recommend??

Do you want to stay with around the same power (watts) as you're using now on the Nautilus Mini or are you looking for a bit more?

Generally I agree that RDAs are generally easier to be successful with than tanks. That can help you learn how to make coils and wick them properly without too much hassle. They are cheap and a dripper is IMO nice to try if for no other reason than you'll always have that experience to fall back on in future.

OTOH, this stuff is not rocket science and if you prefer a tank by all means go for it

 

[Strings]

I started rebuilding Nauty and Aerotank coils. Then I got a KFV4 clone, and have never looked bak

Agree that starting on an RDA is MUCH easier: more room to work. And everybody should have one dripper, if for nothing else taste testing juices (I always have my derringer along with my other stuff)

 

[Ryedan]

yeah... i started on a genny and i had the complete opposite experience. took me hours to get the build right and the wire to not pop. fortunately, after that first genny, everything else has been ridiculously easy.

to be fair, it was an aga-t2, and i only had 30 and 32 gauge wire and an original vamo at the time.

The AGA-T2 was my first rebuildable too and I had exactly the same experience with it as you. I quickly went down to 27 gauge wire and after a few weeks of learning how to set it up and maintain it I vaped it almost exclusively for almost a year. I doubt I would have been successful with a regulated mod though, specially considering what was available in 2012

I wouldn't recommend stainless steel wicks for a beginner. There are just too many better options out there today IMO. And a Genny with cotton just isn't a Genny to me

 

[juggler86]

Highly advised, unless you own and understand a GOOD Multi-meter.

Ohm meters were a big deal when everybody was using mechs, even cheap reg. mods read good these days.

Don't waste your money on a meter unless your using a mech

 

[Stinkytofus]

Did you sit with someone who was experienced that walked you through step by step, what is the average cost for doing your own builds? Is there a long list of supplies needed? Still sort of a newbie to this I'm using a Nautilus Mini right now so buying coils seems to be the easy route.

Coil master v2 kit - 39.99
Stainless steel 316L 30 ft 26g - 3.00
Coil master 521 tab - 35.00
Japanese organic cotton 200 pcs - 8.00
Aromamizer rdta - 28.00

521 tab is not a must have

 

[ScottP]

I see several people have mentioned the Kanger Subtank mini and from what i have seen it looks very easy (I don't own one) but Kanger just released a new version called a Toptank mini that is the same as the Subtank mini except that it adds the ability to top fill and have no wasted tank space (again I don't own one just mentioning it).

If anyone has the Toptank, how do you like the top fill?

 

[JMarca]

My first build wasn't actually a build at all, I was de-bridging a cartomizer, fun times. Most painful build would prob have to be Genesis atomizers, getting all the shorts out of a SS mesh was not fun. I later found a much easier way of doing this, it involved a torch and a toothpick.

 

[roxynoodle]

My first build was an RM2 for a Reo, and a few days later it was a KFL+.

 

[crxess]

Ohm meters were a big deal when everybody was using mechs, even cheap reg. mods read good these days.

Don't waste your money on a meter unless your using a mech

I have a Reg that calls your bluff - ATM, it reads a .48phm coil at 1.1ohm.
You have any idea what happens if you feed 30w to a .48ohm coil reading 1.1ohm?

I can promise you it is NOT Pleasent and finding out the hard way is not so good. A cheap but functional ohm meter is only $9-$15 and well worth double confirmation.

As for Multi-meters - I said if you HAVE one. I've worked in dc electronics most of my life and have 6 meters.

Suppose the person you are speaking to misunderstands or short reads - not get a meter and only owns a Mech?

In fact, a serious builder might consider

as a Quality addition to the Vape box.
That and a good pair of ceramic tweezers.

 

[TruSound]

I have a Reg that calls your bluff - ATM, it reads a .48phm coil at 1.1ohm.
You have any idea what happens if you feed 30w to a .48ohm coil reading 1.1ohm?

I can promise you it is NOT Pleasent and finding out the hard way is not so good. A cheap but functional ohm meter is only $9-$15 and well worth double confirmation.

As for Multi-meters - I said if you HAVE one. I've worked in dc electronics most of my life and have 6 meters.

Suppose the person you are speaking to misunderstands or short reads - not get a meter and only owns a Mech?

In fact, a serious builder might consider

as a Quality addition to the Vape box.
That and a good pair of ceramic tweezers.

I recently picked up one of these...best tool in the Vape box without a doubt.