The Official Alien Coil Thread

[KingPin!]

Forget all that crap about binding and gluing the ends that I posted above lol

Here is a video showing what I learned from Raymo2u's stream the other night for making multiple core and framed stuff by looping both ends of the cores - way faster, and no ribbon slider needed if you get it right

It's my first video...I'll work on getting the quality lined up better, and maybe smiling next time

Definitely gonna try this next time I build meg thank you

 

[raymo2u]

Ive got a few more tricks, maybe some day Ill have a quiet house and can actually make a youtube video worth watching....

Great job Meg!

 

[mojo21]

I'm not there yet but I'll be following this when I do. Great job Meg

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Here I go on my fralien . I might just have a chance this time . Fingers crossed.

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[gopher_byrd]

Forget all that crap about binding and gluing the ends that I posted above lol

Here is a video showing what I learned from Raymo2u's stream the other night for making multiple core stuff by looping both ends of the cores - way faster, and no ribbon slider needed for aliening if you get it right

It's my first video...I'll work on getting the quality lined up better, and maybe smiling next time

Thanks for the vid Meg! And thanks to @raymo2u for the procedure that inspired this!

 

[WPMac]

Skimmed though and didn't see an answer. I'm looking for the ratio/stretch tension for the funky flip-flop alien wrap. Tried a number of times and can't seem to make it work.

 

[sparkuk]

Skimmed though and didn't see an answer. I'm looking for the ratio/stretch tension for the funky flip-flop alien wrap. Tried a number of times and can't seem to make it work.

Trial and error I'm afraid. I wasted quite a bit getting it right. It depends on the gauge/number of cores, and gauge of wrap, though I found a rough guide was to stretch the decore (wrap) so that the "zig-zag" as you look down on it is just under 90 degrees apart, but even then you have to keep a steady tension on it as you're doing the alien wrap. (I believe I used 3x28 core and 36 wrap)
To be honest I personally don't see much of a difference in flavour over a simple fused clapton to warrant all the extra p1ssing about, so I tend to just do those mainly now. Though I am going to have a go at a staggered fused clapton at some point to see what that's like, which does look somewhat easier to achieve than aliens.

 

[CrazyChef v2.0]

Skimmed though and didn't see an answer. I'm looking for the ratio/stretch tension for the funky flip-flop alien wrap. Tried a number of times and can't seem to make it work.

As a rule of thumb, the space between the "zig-zags" should be roughly the same as the width of your cores. There are exceptions to this, but it's a good starting point for reference.

 

[WPMac]

As a rule of thumb, the space between the "zig-zags" should be roughly the same as the width of your cores. There are exceptions to this, but it's a good starting point for reference.

Thank You!! I am assuming the ratios remain the same as a standard alien? On second thought probably not. If you have to stretch that far it must be a bigger decore?

 

[CrazyChef v2.0]

If you have to stretch that far it must be a bigger decore?

Yup. Your decore needs to be roughly 1/3 the size of your cores.

 

[WPMac]

Yup. Your decore needs to be roughly 1/3 the size of your cores.

Thank you! I typically like a slightly bigger decore to get a more pronounced "s".

And here's a second question for the masses. Anyone have any success doing aliens on inconsistently sized wire ... i.e. 4 ply .3 ribbon. I kinda figured if I decored for the .4 and then understretched a smidge it would kind of work itself out. But that is NOT the case

 

[zephyr]

Mohawk speed challenge!

 

[WPMac]

Mohawk speed challenge!

Sweet!! I'll try to sit down today and put a set together. But I'm a slow poke. Don't don't expect to much from me

 

[MrMeowgi]

Mohawk speed challenge!

Damn it takes me long to fuse a clapton. Need to up my game.

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[zephyr]

Damn it takes me long to fuse a clapton. Need to up my game.

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I don't know why I even did it, I don't think Anyone else is even going to try. I did have fun, though, that's the main thing right

Also got better at mohawks lmao (se the accidental aliens in there?)

 

[KingPin!]

Mohawk speed challenge!

Just got home and watched the vid meg very impressive!!!

Not one swear word too I’d have to allow 5 minutes of swearing at it at least

 

[WPMac]

Mohawk Speed Challenge!! - 9:45 on 2nd attempt. First one I overstretched the decore and ended up with some plain old aliens. If you just want to see the end result you can pick up at about 10 mins when I put the macro lens on.
That was faster than I thought. I figured at least 15 min. Especially considering I made to much decore and had to fiddle quite a bit a number of times. I'm actually a little impressed with myself. I could probably get it down pretty quick with some practice ... Though I will still probably be a snail on the drill most of the time. I enjoy taking my time.
Oh ... side note ... 2nd set of mohawks I've ever made Made the first set pretty intricate (posted somewhere in my IG). Was super excited about the artistic result. Well wasn't super impressed with the vape. So Never really had the urge to make more.

"This video is still processing ... this video is still processing ..." It's been processing for like 2 hours. It's a 10 min video ... wtf ... whatever. Y'all can watch it when youtube decides to finish their crap.

 

[zephyr]

Mohawk Speed Challenge!! - 9:45 on 2nd attempt. First one I overstretched the decore and ended up with some plain old aliens. If you just want to see the end result you can pick up at about 10 mins when I put the macro lens on.
That was faster than I thought. I figured at least 15 min. Especially considering I made to much decore and had to fiddle quite a bit a number of times. I'm actually a little impressed with myself. I could probably get it down pretty quick with some practice ... Though I will still probably be a snail on the drill most of the time. I enjoy taking my time.
Oh ... side note ... 2nd set of mohawks I've ever made Made the first set pretty intricate (posted somewhere in my IG). Was super excited about the artistic result. Well wasn't super impressed with the vape. So Never really had the urge to make more.

"This video is still processing ... this video is still processing ..." It's been processing for like 2 hours. It's a 10 min video ... wtf ... whatever. Y'all can watch it when youtube decides to finish their crap.

I'm quite impressed - mine was about 5 or 6 attempts - from forgetting where my macro lens was the first time, to accidental (clean!) Aliens, the garage door opening and grumbling off-camera by my dad, the entire time I was coiling, to your basic "oh shit these arent clean at All" to almost finishing when the wrap slides off the second coil...lol

Edit: then the one time my decore wouldn't slide off no matter what and I just wadded up all the wire in disgust lmao

 

[VAPEROXX]

I don't know why I even did it, I don't think Anyone else is even going to try. I did have fun, though, that's the main thing right

Also got better at mohawks lmao (se the accidental aliens in there?)

View attachment 119695

I can do Mohawks pretty quickly (they are my specialty), but I don't do videos lol. So I'll have to bow out or you'll hafta take my word for it. I do them full speed on a 3/8 12v drill. Start to finish in under 5 minutes. Stitched mohawks were a little slower (around 8 minutes-ish)

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[zephyr]

I can do Mohawks pretty quickly (they are my specialty), but I don't do videos lol. So I'll have to bow out or you'll hafta take my word for it. I do them full speed on a 3/8 12v drill. Start to finish in under 5 minutes. Stitched mohawks were a little slower (around 8 minutes-ish)

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Coiling was my slowest part; do you coil with pliers? I was having to push the wraps together as I coiled because I was using my bare fingers (bad me)

And of course I'll take your word! Just means I gotta try again to beat your time

 

[VAPEROXX]

Coiling was my slowest part; do you coil with pliers? I was having to push the wraps together as I coiled because I was using my bare fingers (bad me)

And of course I'll take your word! Just means I gotta try again to beat you

I coil around a 3mm screwdriver with bare hands. There's a scientific method for wrapping Mohawks though.

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[WPMac]

I'm quite impressed - mine was about 5 or 6 attempts - from forgetting where my macro lens was the first time, to accidental (clean!) Aliens, the garage door opening and grumbling off-camera by my dad, the entire time I was coiling, to your basic "oh shit these arent clean at All" to almost finishing when the wrap slides off the second coil...lol

Edit: then the one time my decore wouldn't slide off no matter what and I just wadded up all the wire in disgust lmao

Yah my son, who was working on school, came by for a sec in my video. And the last 2 wraps on the last coil were pretty gross. But, It's hard for me to sit for more than 10 mins or so at a time during the day. I'm a stay at home day with 2 young kids and we home school. So, after 2 attempts it was either postpone the video for an undetermined amount of time, or just call it as good as it was going to get for a speed challenge

And OMFG ... it's still processing?!?!? I uploaded that thing not long after you posted yours.

 

[Spudeye]

How much stretch to give your decor to stop 5 core alien collapsing

 

[WPMac]

How much stretch to give your decor to stop 5 core alien collapsing

Outside of trial and error ... I'm not sure there's a good way to put it into words. Typical collapse comes from either under stretching the decore, or not having good even tension, between the chuck and the swivels, on all of your cores. If you find your collapsing your cores often I would check those two things first.
Your other options is to go slow and use some nylon pliers (or at the very least some toothless pliers) and pinch the cores flat as soon as you see a collapse starting to happen.



AND WTF! My damn video still isn't loading. screw youtube man ...

Tried again and it worked. FINALLY

 

[Spudeye]

Outside of trial and error ... I'm not sure there's a good way to put it into words. Typical collapse comes from either under stretching the decore, or not having good even tension, between the chuck and the swivels, on all of your cores. If you find your collapsing your cores often I would check those two things first.
Your other options is to go slow and use some nylon pliers (or at the very least some toothless pliers) and pinch the cores flat as soon as you see a collapse starting to happen.



AND WTF! My damn video still isn't loading. screw youtube man ...

Tried again and it worked. FINALLY

You will like my next one anti clockwise or clockwise dose one make it easier than the other

 

[WPMac]

You will like my next one anti clockwise or clockwise dose one make it easier than the other

That is completely subjective. I personally like doing my decore clockwise and my aliens counter (anti). But, I've seen a number of people who like it the other way.

 

[Spudeye]

Cracked it was holding the decore to tight

 

[WPMac]

Cracked it was holding the decore to tight

SWEET! Congratulations!!!

 

[Spudeye]

Tanks man cant believe how well I'm wrapping these coils now doing a set in less than 10 mins and with no wire holds

 

[VAPEROXX]

Tanks man cant believe how well I'm wrapping these coils now doing a set in less than 10 mins and with no wire holds

Congratulations!

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[jasonandsarah]

Not gonna post a pic because its not an alien but I haven't built a coil for half a year, until yesterday. Got a little nervous thinking maybe I was out of practice but it was almost easier. I did a set of framed staples with 2X26 Kanthal 6x .4ribbon Kanthal outer wrap 36gni80 and they came out good. Only took me like 10 mins as well.

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[Spudeye]

Have a butchers

 

[Spudeye]

Have a butchers

Should have put speck 2x28g, 5x.4,36g decore

 

[KingPin!]

Have a butchers

Cracking build spud congrats

 

[Spudeye]

Cracking build spud congrats

Thanks man mutch appreciate when you start out it's hard but then things start clicking

 

[jasonandsarah]

Have a butchers

Beautiful build! Try using a solid background when taking pics and see if it helps.

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[Spudeye]

Beautiful build! Try using a solid background when taking pics and see if it helps.

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Need to find a decent macro lens for my phone first got a p20 pro

 

[jasonandsarah]

Need to find a decent macro lens for my phone first got a p20 pro

Yeah i normally only zoom x2 and then try to tap focus the coil from as close as possible. Lol

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[Spudeye]

Here you are

 

[Carambrda]

Need to find a decent macro lens for my phone first got a p20 pro

The P20 Pro you don't necessarily have to use a separate lens. Look.

 

[Spudeye]

I know but I rather use the whole 40mp

 

[Carambrda]

I know but I rather use the whole 40mp

At 40MP the filesize will be waaaaay too big to be able to upload on here anyway. And besides, the P20 Pro uses image quality improvement techniques that are based on all 3 of its cameras provided that you leave it at its default 10MP setting, i.e. not if you change the setting to 40MP mode.

 

[zephyr]

I know but I rather use the whole 40mp

Do you have a magnifying glass around? They can get closer than some macro lenses, I still use a magnifying glass for quick pictures


I use a ZOMEI 37MM 0.6X Wide Angle & Macro Lens,
the camera ap FV5 (paid version, just $4), and the ap Photoshop Express (free) to crop and convert the file to jpeg for uploads here

 

[Carambrda]

 

[CoCoMo]

Recently been doing some self-taught session on the no stretch method, and some crazy @$$ idea to build 3x32 alien right away ???

I'm currently using a magnet-based spinner/swivel/whatever it is called, is it necessary to add one or two ball bearing swivels? The problem found is, when stopping in the middle of wrapping, the magnets are still moving a lot, even though the drill has stopped

I do appreciate your thoughts and insight. Stay safe, stay healthy

 

[Carambrda]

I'm currently using a magnet-based spinner/swivel/whatever it is called, is it necessary to add one or two ball bearing swivels? The problem found is, when stopping in the middle of wrapping, the magnets are still moving a lot, even though the drill has stopped

That's one of the disadvantages of going for a magnetic swivel tool. Not a problem if you don't stop in the middle of wrapping, and, with a regular alien build, you normally shouldn't have to anyway, but... for those other types of builds this can become rather problematic so that's why I use something very similar to the Spin LT by USA Ohm Meters, albeit the one that I have uses a 3D printed peg instead of a metal one so that it doesn't weigh down on the skateboard bearing as much, and it has a more lightweight hook on it also in addition to this─for this same reason. Adding a ball bearing fishing swivel just defeats the whole purpose of going for the type of swivel tool that has been specifically designed to not let all sorts of useless paraphernalia weigh down on the core wires so heavily that it causes your brain to melt.

 

[CoCoMo]

That's one of the disadvantages of going for a magnetic swivel tool. Not a problem if you don't stop in the middle of wrapping, and, with a regular alien build, you normally shouldn't have to anyway, but... for those other types of builds this can become rather problematic so that's why I use something very similar to the Spin LT by USA Ohm Meters, albeit the one that I have uses a 3D printed peg instead of a metal one so that it doesn't weigh down on the skateboard bearing as much, and it has a more lightweight hook on it also in addition to this─for this same reason. Adding a ball bearing fishing swivel just defeats the whole purpose of going for the type of swivel tool that has been specifically designed to not let all sorts of useless paraphernalia weigh down on the core wires so heavily that it causes your brain to melt.

Thank you for the enlightening suggestion ?‍



Some shots before dry-burning, and confused what to learn next. Perhaps keep grinding the aliens until perfection ???

 

[Just Frank]

I'm glad I found this thread.

 

[CrazyChef v2.0]

Thank you for the enlightening suggestion ?‍

View attachment 170880

Some shots before dry-burning, and confused what to learn next. Perhaps keep grinding the aliens until perfection ???

Keep going, you won't be disappointed. Although I must say, you're doing a fantastic job so far!

 

[Carambrda]

Thank you for the enlightening suggestion ?‍

View attachment 170880

Some shots before dry-burning, and confused what to learn next. Perhaps keep grinding the aliens until perfection ???

No problemo. Looks all the way perfect enough from what I can see. Yeah, I know a few peeps who are too obsessed about aliens. Aliens obviously are wonderful and great, so please don't get me wrong. But variation relates to the world like a cordless drill relates to wire.

 

[CoCoMo]

Keep going, you won't be disappointed. Although I must say, you're doing a fantastic job so far!

Thank you, dear sir ?‍?‍?‍

No problemo. Looks all the way perfect enough from what I can see. Yeah, I know a few peeps who are too obsessed about aliens. Aliens obviously are wonderful and great, so please don't get me wrong. But variation relates to the world like a cordless drill relates to wire.

Another gratitude for your enlightening ?‍?‍?‍

Currently brainstorming on what to do next LoL