ZFM Zero Filler Mod

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eclypse

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Sep 9, 2009
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A couple of quick shots depicting what we're describing here:

This is a shot of the silicone "puddle" trick.. the cartridge was filled via the puddle. When the silicone had partially cured ("skinned"), a dead atty was partially inserted and then the silicone was allowed to completely cure:

DSC00657.jpg


After the silicone was completely cured I pushed it out of the cartridge from the "back side":

DSC00663.jpg


Now... with a sharp razor or XAacto blade I can "square" off the backside of the plug and establish the final "thickness".

Sure looks interesting Scottbee.. Again.. if you can get a perfect seal with 1 hole for the atty and it wicks.. please let me know. It sure would break my thoughts on how a cart should wick.

Have you got that to work now?? What kind of hole for the bridge?

Edit: Crap i have some Silicone in the house.. too bad i dont have time to play with it today or prob till after the Holidays hehe.
 
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Scottbee

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Sep 18, 2009
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Sure looks interesting Scottbee.. Again.. if you can get a perfect seal with 1 hole for the atty and it wicks.. please let me know. It sure would break my thoughts on how a cart should wick.

Have you got that to work now?? What kind of hole for the bridge?

Edit: Crap i have some Silicone in the house.. too bad i dont have time to play with it today or prob till after the Holidays hehe.

Yes, I've already gotten this to work... and I got it to work EXCEPTIONALLY well.. on one atty. I used the end of my Cross pen to poke the hole (like a hollow punch).

But..... in my minds eye it is not a viable mod (for me) until I can freely move it from atomizer to atomizer... and (hopefully) change liquid viscosities (within reason) and have it be consistent. I'm not there (yet).

But with one atomizer and one liquid... it's the bomb.

P.S. I am currently using DAP 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant in the blue tube. It is a "stiffer" (higher durometer) silicone than some of the others. It will have a strong vinegar smell during curing (typical) and can be cure-accelerated with water.
 

Darmeen

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Nov 3, 2009
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Yes, I've already gotten this to work... and I got it to work EXCEPTIONALLY well.. on one atty. I used the end of my Cross pen to poke the hole (like a hollow punch).

But..... in my minds eye it is not a viable mod (for me) until I can freely move it from atomizer to atomizer... and (hopefully) change liquid viscosities (within reason) and have it be consistent. I'm not there (yet).

But with one atomizer and one liquid... it's the bomb.

P.S. I am currently using DAP 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant in the blue tube. It is a "stiffer" (higher durometer) silicone than some of the others. It will have a strong vinegar smell during curing (typical) and can be cure-accelerated with water.


Do you think we could use a rotary tool (Dremel) to bore out the middle of that plug, leaving the edges to act like the straw to support it on the ledges?

I gotta pick up some silicone today at lunch...I think I have a cart I could butcher to make these.

If the dremel works with the silicone, then you could make a small hole on the side to allow air back into the cart.

Hmmmm, ideas.....
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
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Macomb MI
Yes, I've already gotten this to work... and I got it to work EXCEPTIONALLY well.. on one atty. I used the end of my Cross pen to poke the hole (like a hollow punch).

But..... in my minds eye it is not a viable mod (for me) until I can freely move it from atomizer to atomizer... and (hopefully) change liquid viscosities (within reason) and have it be consistent. I'm not there (yet).

But with one atomizer and one liquid... it's the bomb.

P.S. I am currently using DAP 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant in the blue tube. It is a "stiffer" (higher durometer) silicone than some of the others. It will have a strong vinegar smell during curing (typical) and can be cure-accelerated with water.

Ok cool.. Prob just a matter of having the right size hole so it dont completely seal around the bridge so it may allow air there.. air is thinner then juice.

I have Dap stuff as well but i believe its in a red tube.. i'll have to check and see what i got.

Do you think we could use a rotary tool (Dremel) to bore out the middle of that plug, leaving the edges to act like the straw to support it on the ledges?

I gotta pick up some silicone today at lunch...I think I have a cart I could butcher to make these.

If the dremel works with the silicone, then you could make a small hole on the side to allow air back into the cart.

Hmmmm, ideas.....

I dont see why not.. just be carefull. Also make the walls thin enough so you dont have juice bulid up around the edges.

I thought of that as well.. as i noticed with the regular end cap, you'll need prob 4 to reach the topof the bridge from the inner lip of the cart.
 

Scottbee

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Ok cool.. Prob just a matter of having the right size hole so it dont completely seal around the bridge so it may allow air there.. air is thinner then juice.

That's actually NOT what I am trying to achieve. But I fully realize that your approach to fluid delivery and mine are somewhat different.
 

Darmeen

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Nov 3, 2009
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So I ran to Ace on my lunch break...picked up some DAP Household Adhesive Sealant (100% Silicone, won't crack or shrink, safe for food contact and aquarium safe...it is also dishwasher and microwave safe!!!!!!!)

I also picked up a Revolving Hole Punch to find the right hole size.

Now I can't wait to get home this afternoon and let the experiments begin.
 

eclypse

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Sep 9, 2009
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My 1/8" moulded plugs were giving me a hard time last night, they fit like a glove in the carts, tight seal no leaks, but i think therein lies the problem, I was getting too many dry hits on half a tank.

I had such high hopes, don't have time to mess with it for now, but I haven't given up.

Thats the no air flow prob as i was trying to get across. Tight seal = no flow and no wicking. Dont make the seal so perfect fitting and i bet you'll get leakage. Gota find the perfect medium for wicking.

That why for the original mod i figured it was leaking as the seal was not perfect.

Poke some holes in the plug or ruff the sides up a hair on the plug. Or ofcourse a larger hold thats not sealing around the atty bridge.
 

Scottbee

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I can see I'm going to have to be the one to go out and get the silicone tape!

I can see wrapping a straw in it, cutting a hole in the top and making a little "drop-in" liquid reservoir!

I've got tons of the stuff Kristin...... just.... haven't... gotten.... around... to.... it.....

;-)
 
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Darmeen

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Nov 3, 2009
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Hmmmm, I have been inspired...there seems to be an airflow issue with most any plug...but if you pop the cap off the top of the cart, and take out the baffle, you have unfettered access to the top of the fluid storage...My rotary tool has REALLY small drill bits in it...and if you put a really small hole in the top side, it might just be enough for the air to get in, but not allow the fluid to get out...especially if you put it in the corner of the reservoir.

Okay, something else to do this afternoon.
 

DC2

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Jun 21, 2009
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If you can get a perfect seal around the bridge and it wicks, please message me.
Well, I am thinking about getting off my .... and trying it right about now.
I have no idea how long it will take to set (or cure if you will) so that I can get my plug template.

And I still have NO idea how I'm going to hollow it out from underneath and leave a thin membrane.

I was hoping for some suggestions, since I am not a tinkerer, nor a toolsy type of guy.
I just think really hard and long about things and come up with ideas.
:)

So you're saying if I get a good seal around the bridge, it won't wick?
That would suck.
:(
 
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sparky_ahs

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Jul 31, 2009
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Instead of using a dremel on the silicone, you could probably use a sewing needle and thread/fishing line/really thin wire and string it through the plug and rotate one end, the needle would also let you decide how far you want to start the tip of your cone. I don't have any of the materials yet but I think that would be the first thing I would try as I don't have hardly any power tools and I think the silicone would gum up whatever dremel bit you would use anyway.
 

Scottbee

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Sep 18, 2009
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Hmmmm, I have been inspired...there seems to be an airflow issue with most any plug...but if you pop the cap off the top of the cart, and take out the baffle, you have unfettered access to the top of the fluid storage...My rotary tool has REALLY small drill bits in it...and if you put a really small hole in the top side, it might just be enough for the air to get in, but not allow the fluid to get out...especially if you put it in the corner of the reservoir.

Okay, something else to do this afternoon.

If you're going to go this route... consider using something smaller than a drill bit. Usually, a needle heated with a lighter will make a nice small hole in the cart material.

I don't want to encumber any form of positive experimentation... so I will withhold my prognostications regarding your results..... ;-)

P.S. No need to go in through the mouthpiece end.... you can poke a hole in the bottom of the reservoir via the atty end.
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
815
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Macomb MI
Hmmmm, I have been inspired...there seems to be an airflow issue with most any plug...but if you pop the cap off the top of the cart, and take out the baffle, you have unfettered access to the top of the fluid storage...My rotary tool has REALLY small drill bits in it...and if you put a really small hole in the top side, it might just be enough for the air to get in, but not allow the fluid to get out...especially if you put it in the corner of the reservoir.

Okay, something else to do this afternoon.

I've tried that.. ofcourse you may have a smaller drill bit.

Though as i was saying before.. using a tiny needle you could probably poke a few holes in it. The silicon should just about seal back up but hopefully still have a small crack left open.. enough to break the air tight seal.
 

eclypse

Moved On
Sep 9, 2009
815
0
Macomb MI
If you're going to go this route... consider using something smaller than a drill bit. Usually, a needle heated with a lighter will make a nice small hole in the cart material.

I don't want to encumber any form of positive experimentation... so I will withhold my prognostications regarding your results..... ;-)

P.S. No need to go in through the mouthpiece end.... you can poke a hole in the bottom of the reservoir via the atty end.

That wont be a good idea as air passing by it will just pull the juice right out of the hole and into your mouth.

But thats ok.. you can only learn from experiance.
 

Stehle

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Maybe its just too much for me here lurking here in the shadows while great minds toil away, but...

Perhaps a hybrid silicone plug... a different material to stick in that tiny hole between the liquid & the bridge of the atomizer. (I have so many from past mods.)

A nice wicking action and a seal we could live with because it would stop leaking, but at the same time not be airtight.

Just my 2 cents of input. :)
 
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