Just got my first dripping atty, tips?

Thecageyone

I just got into DIY juicing, so wanted an atty for flavour testing on the go. It's awkward and sluggish using tanks, no matter how many you got.

I wanted a Velocity, after looking about at reviews on various ones. But I wanted it now! My local iVape didn't have them in stock, so bought a Dark horse [clone]

It's a little tighter than I wanted and I'm not a fan of 3 posts [though it does have huge holes which is nice] I'm not the best with intricate crafting of any kind. I got some clapton wire 26/32, and also some standard 26g kanthal.

The clapton I found just frustrating, it was a LOT springier than I imagined. So I failed my first 3 attempts on that. Moved to the kanthal, and found it much easier, but still messed up a few coils before getting a usable one. I managed to get a dual coil set up reading 0.49 ohms, around about where i want to be. As I mostly use 0.4 - 0.6 ohm coils in tanks.

Any tips or tricks for building, especially using 3 posts?

The coil is running ... ok ... I'm getting a slight burning taset, even when it's well juiced. I am using Japanese cotton. Again, found this atty very tight, not much room for cotton, let alone a good amount of juice. So 3-4 good hits and it's top up time. But that's ok for testing flavours.

I have watched a few vids, but you know youtube, you get lost searching. If you got any easy to follow, simple builds for clapton, or just regular 26g, on anything like the dark horse, please post up. And any other tips you might have for a noob

Cheers.

Thecageyone

Hmmm, guess not many are into their attys?

took out the cruddy cotton and re-jiggled the coils, they're working much better now

Still want to make a decent stab at that Clapton though

8mm

I only have the one dripper and it's a 3 post job. Nice vape off it but it's a pain in the butt to build on. I've only done dual kanthal coils and only rebuilt the coils twice so not much advice I could add.

I suppose the only issue is lots of rewicking like every 2 days for me but I do use it a lot. Great for popping around lots of different diy mixes.

Might pick up a few more from Fasttech. Something with a deeper well and better posts.

youdipstick

This RDA is not for tasting juices,too much air & those post holes are massive,would suit Bull Wire Coils :D:D
This is a competition cloud chasing atty,more air less taste & this only has a 2mm depth on the deck,I presume you know how to set your coils up by having the glow of the coil from the inside to out & setting the coil level with the airflow,more cotton on this rda & less on others.
I would just use the clapton with a single build,but all honesty,the Dark Horse is not for you or me,you would need to drip every 3 vapes,use more drops & leaks will appear.
Just follow these 3 videos...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXDSWHxUDyY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo5Jk-tjku0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOAafKLqSt4

Thecageyone

Yeah I discovered this quickly, it just drinks juice. It is very airy, but the flavour is still good. I have it set to the minimum air flow, which is still like an airy tank say. I tried dual clapton again, and failed. It's taking an age for them to light up. So I might try a single build.

When you use the huge wide bore drip tip you can drip straight in, but on mine, with that attached the top won't screw down fully tight. Meaning the air flow control is free spinning. I will have to take it back, see if they have another top for it. I'll get another one soon, just wanted something to work on for now. I should have done more research

But if I can get it to fire up nicely, it'll do for now. I don't mind an airy draw once there's flavour, and there is thankfully. It's a really nice looking atty, mine came with 4 different air flow rings so you can change the colour, and 2 of the wide bore tips, one black, one white. Unfortunately they won't fit snug. The threads get too tight just before it closes proper. One thing I do love about it, and one of the reasons I opted for this one in the shop, was the big holes in the posts. For someone fiddly-fingered like me, that's a big plus. I had no trouble getting dual clapton into the center post.

Will watch the vids now, cheers

[edit] seen the Grimm Green one yesterday, he over exaggerates a bit in that one. He makes out like it's a LOT airier than it actually is.

moleyv

I've an Advkn Mad hatter mini on the way from FT, supposed to be good.

Clapton coils can be easier to buy prewrapped. Pack of 10 for 6e from efag.

youdipstick

Thecageyone wrote: »

Yeah I discovered this quickly, it just drinks juice. It is very airy, but the flavour is still good. I have it set to the minimum air flow, which is still like an airy tank say. I tried dual clapton again, and failed. It's taking an age for them to light up. So I might try a single build.

When you use the huge wide bore drip tip you can drip straight in, but on mine, with that attached the top won't screw down fully tight. Meaning the air flow control is free spinning. I will have to take it back, see if they have another top for it. I'll get another one soon, just wanted something to work on for now. I should have done more research

But if I can get it to fire up nicely, it'll do for now. I don't mind an airy draw once there's flavour, and there is thankfully. It's a really nice looking atty, mine came with 4 different air flow rings so you can change the colour, and 2 of the wide bore tips, one black, one white. Unfortunately they won't fit snug. The threads get too tight just before it closes proper. One thing I do love about it, and one of the reasons I opted for this one in the shop, was the big holes in the posts. For someone fiddly-fingered like me, that's a big plus. I had no trouble getting dual clapton into the center post.

Will watch the vids now, cheers

[edit] seen the Grimm Green one yesterday, he over exaggerates a bit in that one. He makes out like it's a LOT airier than it actually is.

In the for sale,there is a Velocity for sale...tenner

Thecageyone

Always the way spend on something else and what you really wanted pops up right after

youdipstick

Thecageyone wrote: »

Always the way spend on something else and what you really wanted pops up right after

That is very true,there's always something closer to home :)

Thecageyone

youdipstick wrote: »

That is very true,there's always something closer to home :)

I actually got the darkhorse just down the road in iVape just bad timing. If I'd waited a few days. I claimed the velocity anyway, hard not to.

Thecageyone

Update; brought the darkhorse back, and exchanged it for the Bellus RBA. Thought I'd give one a go. I got a Velocity this morning from a sale on here, and it is sweet! So easy build on! o why not try something different?

The Bellus was a bit of a nightmare for me at first, the 2 coils that came with, once installed, were hopping all over the place. Jumping from 0.15 up to 0.6 and anywhere in between. I tried everything, tightening posts, checking connections, usual lighting up and fixing in place ... no go. SO I tried building my own - the deck is tiny!! And the screw driver I use for wrapping is about 3mm, so the coils were just hanging a tad over the deck. Couldn't get them into the tank section. Searched the house for something slimmer. Then I saw it .... the wee blue screwdriver I made 2 coils using that to wrap, with Clapton wire, thinking no way I'd get wicking through it but since I've not many options gave it a go. Have to say, I impressed myself. 2 not too shabby little 5 wrap claptons around the blue screw driver and they just about fit snug. Giving me 0.3 ohms. Vaping like a champ. Getting through the frustration fails was the hardest part.

youdipstick

Thecageyone wrote: »

Update; brought the darkhorse back, and exchanged it for the Bellus RBA. Thought I'd give one a go. I got a Velocity this morning from a sale on here, and it is sweet! So easy build on! o why not try something different?

The Bellus was a bit of a nightmare for me at first, the 2 coils that came with, once installed, were hopping all over the place. Jumping from 0.15 up to 0.6 and anywhere in between. I tried everything, tightening posts, checking connections, usual lighting up and fixing in place ... no go. SO I tried building my own - the deck is tiny!! And the screw driver I use for wrapping is about 3mm, so the coils were just hanging a tad over the deck. Couldn't get them into the tank section. Searched the house for something slimmer. Then I saw it .... the wee blue screwdriver I made 2 coils using that to wrap, with Clapton wire, thinking no way I'd get wicking through it but since I've not many options gave it a go. Have to say, I impressed myself. 2 not too shabby little 5 wrap claptons around the blue screw driver and they just about fit snug. Giving me 0.3 ohms. Vaping like a champ. Getting through the frustration fails was the hardest part.

I never tried the stock coils,I built a SS coil setup,I put the deck into the tank & checked to see if the coils didn't give a short before I wicked it.Everytime I fill up,it weeps through the airholes for about half an hour & then stops til the next fill up,maybe more cotton will stop it weeping,I fill from the bottom now & no weeping,I'll try another build when my cotton is finished.
The Velocity is a great RDA with those 2 posts,I seem to buy any RTA now with a velocity deck,easier to see,even with my poor eyesight,it's holding the allen key that is hard for me as I have arthritis in the hands,I am always looking for a screwdriver type allen key,they must be out there somewhere,I have seen them with big sized allen keys but not the sizes we want for these atty's.

Thecageyone

You want something like this right here: [5mins 15secs or so in, shows a tool you get with the twisted messes V2, it can be attached to a screwdriver

My Bellus started leaking like a bitch last night. Nothing like having hot liquid splurt all over your fingers! I fiddled about with it, cleaned it up, and it went away after a bit of a vape.

I looked it up and discovered that what most of the reviewers tell us is wrong, regarding it's leak issues. You don't want to close the airflow at all when filling, and turning it upside fown does nothing. Instead line up the 2 circles, so the airflow is wide open, fill away, and you're good! It actually works. I think we're so accustomed to turning airflow off for fills it was what I automatically did. I have a Herakles that loves to piss juice when filled with the air holes open.

It has some serious flavour though, better than most sub tanks I would say for sure. The velocity beats it on that front though IMO, but that might be because you have a lot more freedom for your build.

strelok

I found the bulli dripper to be the best back when I was vaping. i miss it quite a bit, I often think about picking one up with a bottle of el toro cigarillos naturales and picking the habit back up again

Thecageyone

strelok wrote: »

I found the bulli dripper to be the best back when I was vaping. i miss it quite a bit, I often think about picking one up with a bottle of el toro cigarillos naturales and picking the habit back up again

Ah! One of my old fav's, Cigarillos!! Haven't heard that juice mentioned in a long time. That, and Virginia prime were 2 of my favourite tobacco liquids. I haven't touched a tobacco flavour in about 2 years though. All about the desserts and fruits nowadays

youdipstick

Yes Cagey,that is what I need,I see it is showing a 1.5mm that fits on that RDA,I'll be looking for a couple of sizes around the 1.5mm,lower & above sizes as well as the 1.5mm,time for more searching...

youdipstick

I just ordered these from Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351565764165?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I took the free shipping & using PM.

They should fit all my RDA's & RTA's that have hex screws...

Thecageyone

Nice, just had a look about and there's tonnes of options, might grab something like that myself.

Has anyone tried some vertical coil builds? Just wondering if they find them better/worse than horizontal? for flavour and wicking



Just thought I'd throw this in. I was having trouble getting coils small enough for the Bellus, so for the craic tried clapton wrapped on the wee little blue screwdriver It worked fine, but wicking it was a nightmare.

I finally found my 2mm screwdriver though, so it's a lot easier now, and just doing normal kanthal coils for that one. But, it can be done

youdipstick

Thecageyone wrote: »

Nice, just had a look about and there's tonnes of options, might grab something like that myself.

Has anyone tried some vertical coil builds? Just wondering if they find them better/worse than horizontal? for flavour and wicking

The last time I built vertical coils was on a Genny using SS mesh & SS Rope about 3 years ago,they do say that the flavouring is alot better with vertical coils.I just lied :D:D I have a Marquis dripper which I built vertical coils on,I forgot all about that,it was a year ago...
I think with all that airflow we get now,I don't think it will make much difference in flavour,you never know until you try it.The vertical stock coils seem to impress alot people but I find no difference at all.

Thecageyone

I might give one a go later, on the Velocity. It's that easy build on, I can't see it being any trickier than standard. One benefit it less chance of spit back, as any popping juice will jut hit the walls Also if you like to just drip through your wide bore tips like me, it's going straight on wick

youdipstick

How about Quad coils..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KZ8w-efzuo

Thecageyone

youdipstick wrote: »

How about Quad coils..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KZ8w-efzuo

Give me time and I'll have a stab at it. I'm only building about a week now

He's not wrong about the atty though. I don't have much to compare it to in that line, but the flavour is better than any of my sub ohm tanks [Atlantis, Herakles, sub tank nano, Herakles plus] - I also now have the Bellus RTA, and that's a tough match, as the flavour on that thing rocks! But the Velocity is a great little atty. I too, love that robot face

macker33

OK, first off you need to heat the wire so it turns red a few times, that should stop the wire from being so springy.
If you are getting a burnt taste then the cotton probably isnt wicking properly, I've just started doing this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2-hy9hmugk and its brilliant, wicks like a dream. Its important not to have the cotton too tight.

The freakshow is an excellent dripper, flavour and airflow, big clouds. Currently vaping on the mini version, Its three post but its an easy build

glicster

macker33 wrote: »

OK, I've just started doing this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2-hy9hmugk and its brilliant, wicks like a dream. Its important not to have the cotton too tight.

I use a variant of this method also,altho i dont roll it up, and its all i use all of the time. lemo2 and drippers. I use some wire cutoffs to fluff the tails and make sure not to compress them too much when tucking in.

8mm

Yup fluffiness is very important - good for wicking true but really the big effect is on flavour.

chipfox

I got a Trident from efag and the thing fell apart. They basically told me to be more careful, not impressed with them.

Have been looking on fasttech and and overwhelmed. Can anybody help me out? Ideally a big juice well, easiest deck to build with (velocity style? is that a make or type of deck) and massive air flow.

The Trident RDA is seriously a piece of sh1t, do not go near the thing. Flimsy as hell and it's like try to suck the last bit of juice out of an empty Capri Sun.

Is this sort of RDA any good? https://www.fasttech.com/products/3028/10012406/2106600-derringer-styled-rda-rebuildable-dripping-atomizer

Really not sure what I'm after.

Thecageyone

Afaik, the Velocity was the first to have the dual posts with 2 vertical holes. So any that have copied the idea refer to it as having a 'velocity style deck'. I'm new to building, and I can tell you that the Velocity is piss easy to build on. I mean, even if I was half-assed about it and half shot or not really paying attention, I'd manage to get a workable build on there. The juice well is also very deep towards many other attys. You can get clones for under $9 on fasttech

On the wicking, I have been fluffing up the ends on wicks for the Bellus, and it is working a treat. I'm also cutting them slightly shorter, so the wick isn't touching the bottom deck, more like half way between. It's working well for now at least. I must try this Scottish roll. That would be great for the Velocity, coupled with an already deep well. Would hold as much as a small tank

chipfox

First time I tried the Scottish roll I was instantly converted. Chain vaping 6 second drags non stop and couldn't burn the cotton if I tried.

Is this what I would be looking for? https://www.fasttech.com/products/3028/10014538/2482500-velocity-styled-rda-rebuildable-dripping-atomizer

Also can anyone comment on fasttech's shipping? I need some new batteries and want to throw them in but not really sure. My 2 18650s can't deal that well with 60W. At about 30% full they can't draw enough power and my eVic drops the wattage automatically. Nice feature but I need the wattage for these low ohm builds

Thecageyone

Yeah that looks identical to the one I got. Just mine is a tobeco clone, don't see any difference. I see they give some silica wick with it on FT .... why??

chipfox

I got some silica wick with my Trident. Don't see the point really, seems harder to work with and doesn't really offer anything extra as far as I can tell. I'm sure others will say otherwise but cotton works and I prefer when things just work.

What's the airflow like on that RDA? This Smoke TVF4 has me spoilt. The airflow is so big it's basically like breathing normally

Thecageyone

I like big airflow, and I find myself closing down the 'robot's mouth about half-way, and closing the 'eyes' over about half too. With everything wide open it's extremely airy I would say. better flavour closed down a bit. Sometimes I close the indirect air [the eyes] off completely. But there's tonnes of options in between. The bottom section locks into place, and the top moves independently up and down as you turn it. That's how you control the airflow.

youdipstick

I used silica wick for over 5 years,there was nothing else to get hold of except for Carto's which had some sort of filling covering the coil.
I used silica mostly in RDA's & Gennies,it use to last me a long time,the flavour was ok back then,didn't have much choice of good flavourable liquids,Dekang was top notch back then so you can imagine what crappy liquids there were,but it got me off the smellies.
Silica was very handy,I would just dry burn the coil with the silica wick & use it over & over,sometimes up to 6 months,silica doesn't burn,back then it was so easy to wrap wire around the silica if you know what you are doing.
Have a look at some of the old YT videos,go back 3 to 5 years,you will be amazed what the reviewers were building,even PBusardo was using SS rope & SS Mesh,well worth a look even for a good laugh.
Grimm also had vids of building coils with silica..

Thecageyone

I built some silica coils a few years back. That's when I decided attys weren't for me, I gave it a go though. I had an Igo-S, and got some silica wick and kanthal and threw together some coils. I just didn't find the flavour all that amazing, and stuck to tanks. Been wanting to get back to trying out attys since cotton got bigger, and better though. The flavour is just so much better, it feels 'cleaner'. I'm sure there's some out there still use silica, but I think they'd be missing out.

I just twisted some 26g kanthal using a pen and pliers I have a drill ... somewhere, but couldn't be bothered finding and charging it. Took about a minute to twist by hand.

youdipstick

:D:D:D the old Igo-s with the massive 1mm airhole,I think I still have spare O-Rings for it & for other Igo's.
When I was twisting wire,I found the ramp up speed was very slow using the old mods,nowadays we have power in our mods to speed this up.
We did suffer back then compared to today's market,the newbies get a better chance now to give up those smokes...

Thecageyone

It is so much better nowadays. If what's on offer was about when I started I would definitely have gotten into drippers a lot earlier. And most certainly would have hit sub ohm tanks and maybe RTAs earlier too. The first battery I got after starting on smokegreen cig-a-likes was an ego-C that had those horrendous atomizers, where you had to puncture them to get at the juice And until sub's came about, I never truly felt satisfied with any tank. Always felt the draw was too tight, always felt they were too restricted. I think the sub ohm era is what the vaping experience should be. In saying that, you'll not see me push it, I'm not dying to get a 200w box mod or anything even close. 40-50w with a nice tank, with great flavour. That's what I'm always after.

I love that right now I am vaping my own DIY juice, on a coil that I twisted and built, and it's possibly the best vape I've had since I started. Feels great

jno547

Thecageyone wrote: »

I love that right now I am vaping my own DIY juice, on a coil that I twisted and built, and it's possibly the best vape I've had since I started. Feels great

There is a great sense of satisfaction from having a vape of something you mixed and built yourself,only problem is that the tanks which are available nowadays are fantastic but very hard on juice and although you may never hit 200w on a mod the dual 18650's give a fantastic punch to a vape at 50/60w which I won't get from a single 18650 mod,having said that, I still prefer certain juices in a Subtank Mini at about 18w so I suppose the fact that we have such a good choice now makes vaping all the more enjoyable and caters for everyone's taste.
On the issue of RDA's,the Sapor is fantastic,4 post,easy build,good afc and no leaks,on FT for about €12 I think.

Thecageyone

yeah I fly through juice regardless of the cost. DIY will ave me a small fortune over time. The start up costs out the way, I can get 5 or 6 flavours and enough VG to make a good pile of juice for the cost of a couple of pricey 30ml. I have 400ml of juices atm, and enough to make a good bit more. I've not bought a premium juice in over 3 weeks now.

Another order placed today, and this time I'm going for PG based nic. A few friends want me to make some juices for them and they're more used to the higher PG juices, and also, VG nic is a bitch to suck up into syringes! [not got a scales yet] so I'll be doing more 75/25 to 70/30 juices for a bit. Which is fine by me. I still have some VG nic for doing my 80/20

jno547

Thecageyone wrote: »

Another order placed today, and this time I'm going for PG based nic. A few friends want me to make some juices for them and they're more used to the higher PG juices, and also, VG nic is a bitch to suck up into syringes! [not got a scales yet] so I'll be doing more 75/25 to 70/30 juices for a bit. Which is fine by me. I still have some VG nic for doing my 80/20

If your not using a scales try pouring or squeezing:D the VG into the syringe up to the required measurement and then use the plunger to push it into your container. You wont need a needle with VG as it's thick enough not to leak once you move it quickly.

Thecageyone

Yeah the VG itself I use a 10ml syringe for, and it sucks up easily enough. It's just the nic, the bottle opening is too small for the big syringe, so I've been using a 2.5ml one with a syringe, because it's cleaner. I should just do without it. I can use it for the PG nic though

I also went into a health store today to have a nosey, and came out with a bag of organic cotton balls I'm vaping on it right now and it seems grand. That'll save a few more pennies

chipfox

God that velocity clone from fasttech and a few other bits. Badly wanted a ceramic tweezers and finally got some 22 gauge for my RBAs! And coil winders... They were so cheap and honestly I find building a bit annoying. Anything to make the process a bit easier! Fasttech are so cheap, just hope it does take years to get here

TinCool

Thecageyone wrote: »

The first battery I got after starting on smokegreen cig-a-likes was an ego-C that had those horrendous atomizers, where you had to puncture them to get at the juice

Holy crap, I remember the ego-C. The first ecig I started out on. I had totally forgotten about having to pierce the tank haha. Distant memories now. Still managed to get me off the stinkies.

youdipstick

TinCool wrote: »

Holy crap, I remember the ego-C. The first ecig I started out on. I had totally forgotten about having to pierce the tank haha. Distant memories now. Still managed to get me off the stinkies.

:D:D:D I still have 2 of those & coils,didn't they fit on the old evic like a hybrid...

Thecageyone

chipfox wrote: »

God that velocity clone from fasttech and a few other bits. Badly wanted a ceramic tweezers and finally got some 22 gauge for my RBAs! And coil winders... They were so cheap and honestly I find building a bit annoying. Anything to make the process a bit easier! Fasttech are so cheap, just hope it does take years to get here

I need to get me a ceramic tweezers too. Using normal ones atm, but of course you can't pinch when firing. How much on FT? they're €11+ anywhere I look ... for a tweezers!?? :eek: You will love the Velocity, even i can coil that thing up in less than 5 minutes

I got a roll of 26g kanthal today, and a bit of 28g. I discovered that with the Bellus, anything beyond standard 26g will be too tight a fit. The 26/32 clapton I have won't do. I tried twisting some 26g, and it wouldn't fit either. I think 28g twisted might though, I'm sure I've seen videos of such builds.

moleyv

I've a pair of UD ceramic tweezers on the way from FT for a little over 4 dollars.

Thecageyone

What's delivery speed like these days on FT? There's a few things I want that I don't want to pay much for Like a scales, some bottles and that tweezers

moleyv

I'd a few things ordered. Nothing I need fast.

My package was send on the 19th Feb and not arrived yet. That was with Sweden post.

I'm not really sure which is the fastest carrier to select. Others might know better.

Thecageyone

Ah ok, I'll pass on them for now. Anything I want I want pretty soon as I've only really just started on the DIY and want to get stuck in

Soundman

Thecageyone wrote: »

What's delivery speed like these days on FT? There's a few things I want that I don't want to pay much for Like a scales, some bottles and that tweezers

I placed an order for an authentic Griffin tank on the 10th Feb.

I'm still waiting for it to ship. ETA for shipping is 23rd March. The shipping date keeps getting pushed back.

This is my second order with them and it is going to be my last as the first order was the same story. A month after ordering still no sign of it shipping, so I cancelled.

I'll be using Gearbest for everything from now on as I have had zero issues with them.

ohmplate

I only order from fasttech if it is shipped next day. I haven't waited longer than 2 weeks on about 10 shipments. To be fair to fasttech they can only ship it when they are supplied with the stock.

Thecageyone

I haven't ordered from them in well over a year, and I remember it took almost 7 weeks to arrive, and I had to pay customs on it.

chipfox

My order shipped today, will see how long it takes. Not in a rush for the stuff anyway. The tweezers were less than $4 though so that was pretty good. They seem like the best place to pick up a lot of little bits that you'll probably end up using for very cheap.