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Billet Box Appreciation Thread

R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Called it.
ec632284662862e73dfde3890fc69488.jpg


Sent from the Death Star
 

~Don~

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Anyone want to trade lives for the next 2 weeks?

I'll take on all your debts for the 2 weeks, you just take on the logistics of our move to our new place, scheduling of the movers, PACKING...setting up the new place, scheduling of carpet and delivery of new appliances etc at both residences and meet with the real estate agent and listen to them for an hour saying, "Sign here" and give the keys of our current place to the same agent for the future leasee'


TL;DR we bought another place, take possession on Saturday and renting out our current place.
 

BrewBear

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Anyone want to trade lives for the next 2 weeks?

I'll take on all your debts for the 2 weeks, you just take on the logistics of our move to our new place, scheduling of the movers, PACKING...setting up the new place, scheduling of carpet and delivery of new appliances etc at both residences and meet with the real estate agent and listen to them for an hour saying, "Sign here" and give the keys of our current place to the same agent for the future leasee'


TL;DR we bought another place, take possession on Saturday and renting out our current place.
Congrats on the new house!
 

MrMeowgi

The Vapin' Drummer
VU Donator
Diamond Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Anyone want to trade lives for the next 2 weeks?

I'll take on all your debts for the 2 weeks, you just take on the logistics of our move to our new place, scheduling of the movers, PACKING...setting up the new place, scheduling of carpet and delivery of new appliances etc at both residences and meet with the real estate agent and listen to them for an hour saying, "Sign here" and give the keys of our current place to the same agent for the future leasee'


TL;DR we bought another place, take possession on Saturday and renting out our current place.
Does expenses cover car repairs? Lol. I'd trade for that.
 

~Don~

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Does expenses cover car repairs? Lol. I'd trade for that.

Well it would of...

But I’ve packed up a lot today, scheduled the movers for Monday, scheduled the carpet guys on Tuesday and delivery of appliances of both places on Wednesday... called SDGE and opened another account for gas and electric, water service and called Cox cable to flip on service for my new address.

So all there is left is the garage and cleaning to be finished by Monday morning 8am.

It was overwhelming for a bit this morning, BUT I put in some the calls and every seemed to fall into place.

But I’ll give someone $200 to pack up the garage, I’m emotionally drained lol, offer is only good til I’ve had my morning coffee tomorrow though, then I’ll just crank it out by noon

Reminds me much of when I was a field super for ACCo Engineering...




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~Don~

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Yeah that's just fuckin nonsense. I'm sorry but he sounds like he's starting to lose the plot and start believing in his own hype. The Xeta is good, even great, but not freaking magic

Sent from the Death Star

I have to agree with you here.

But he knows no other thing but success with Haku brand, so crazy talk works... :shrug


I liked the Haku RDAs when they came out I drank the Kool-aid, not so much the Venna, but if I were to try them now with the way I vape... they'd be absolute shit for me.

Of all the atty's I've owned only two hold up to the way I vape now... NarDa and Le Concorde... and moreso the Le Concorde... and they're both clones.


Edit: Maybe he meant its magic for his wallet.


I seriously think they sit there and talk among one another...

Hey lets make some stupid $0.50 clear and ultem barrel sections for the Xeta and charge them 2000% plus the normal outrageous $14 shipping.

BRILLIANT!
 

R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I have to agree with you here.

But he knows no other thing but success with Haku brand, so crazy talk works... :shrug


I liked the Haku RDAs when they came out I drank the Kool-aid, not so much the Venna, but if I were to try them now with the way I vape... they'd be absolute shit for me.

Of all the atty's I've owned only two hold up to the way I vape now... NarDa and Le Concorde... and moreso the Le Concorde... and they're both clones.


Edit: Maybe he meant its magic for his wallet.


I seriously think they sit there and talk among one another...

Hey lets make some stupid $0.50 clear and ultem barrel sections for the Xeta and charge them 2000% plus the normal outrageous $14 shipping.

BRILLIANT!
I'm not even convinced of this MTL kit. I get a great MTL vape without it.

Sent from the Death Star
 

BobsHere

From Wherever
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Yeah that's just fuckin nonsense. I'm sorry but he sounds like he's starting to lose the plot and start believing in his own hype. The Xeta is good, even great, but not freaking magic

Sent from the Death Star
I'm still on the single hole small chamber setup, new appreciation for a tight. I think it really is a fantastic bridge, so much I bought another even at that price. Might have drink the kool-aid on the mtl kit. Would like just a smidge more air. I'll call it the Goldilocks syndrome.

There does seem to be alot of sheep over there, blind worship almost. All sorts of hearts and we're not worthy prayer hands..
Not convinced on the Ultem stuff at all. Will see what they want for it all..
 

R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I'm still on the single hole small chamber setup, new appreciation for a tight. I think it really is a fantastic bridge, so much I bought another even at that price. Might have drink the kool-aid on the mtl kit. Would like just a smidge more air. I'll call it the Goldilocks syndrome.

There does seem to be alot of sheep over there, blind worship almost. All sorts of hearts and we're not worthy prayer hands..
Not convinced on the Ultem stuff at all. Will see what they want for it all..
Just installed Xeta number two that came today. I wasn't so lucky this time with the installation... it was a bitch!
Put the Boro into my Bantam and there's a decent gap between my DryPlug and the bottom of the Boro well. The air restriction from the DryPlug isn't effective this way and makes it a little bit looser than I'd like compared to in my Billet. Might have to change out the airflow button on the next rewick.
Not looking forward to that at all

Sent from the Death Star
 

BobsHere

From Wherever
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Just installed Xeta number two that came today. I wasn't so lucky this time with the installation... it was a bitch!
Put the Boro into my Bantam and there's a decent gap between my DryPlug and the bottom of the Boro well. The air restriction from the DryPlug isn't effective this way and makes it a little bit looser than I'd like compared to in my Billet. Might have to change out the airflow button on the next rewick.
Not looking forward to that at all

Sent from the Death Star
You are not alone. First build no problems, second one not so much. Keeps bunching up the o-ring. Haven't been able to use a dryplug. It seems to lift up the boro just enough so the bridge is not in good contact with the positive. Think Mykreign had the same issue with the vapeshells. Haven't had this issue with any bridge.
Usually I don't have much patience for finicky stuff but the vape I get is totally worth it, just need some more sorting out with repetition I guess.
 

gsmit1

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I am really tempted to preorder an SXK Xeta clone. I just don't want to find out that there's some issue with the first run. I also don't want to not order one, see them sellout, and then find out there wasn't.
 

R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I am really tempted to preorder an SXK Xeta clone. I just don't want to find out that there's some issue with the first run. I also don't want to not order one, see them sellout, and then find out there wasn't.
So you're dealing with potential buyers' regret and FOMO

Sent from the Death Star
 

BobsHere

From Wherever
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 5 Years
I am really tempted to preorder an SXK Xeta clone. I just don't want to find out that there's some issue with the first run. I also don't want to not order one, see them sellout, and then find out there wasn't.
Don't worry, they will make plenty...

Edit, read post Bob, SXK...
 

PaulS

Gold Contributor
Member For 5 Years
It's a never ending story. Always something new and supposedly better. I'm guilty of getting caught up in the hypew. I confess. I want new bridges and new devices and new accessories. I don't need anything. In fact I have ten great MTL devices. Sigh.
 

R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
So who's ready for their daily dose of vape stupidity? Lots of it lately but this is mine.

Decided I want to rebuild my Xeta. Vapes okay but not as good as my first one. Looser draw, figured it's the DryPlug placement on the Bantam. I open the packaging for the Xeta and lo and behold: the air flow insert I THOUGHT I installed! Apparently I just grabbed the first two-hole one I saw and figured it was the same one I was using in my Billet. Smaller one installed, my perfect MTL.

HAKU Engineering 2, Shady 0.

Round two: received a Never Normal tip and button set that I got half off this weekend. I have a black ultem whistle tip I planned to use on my Bantam, going all stealth. Perfect.
Installed the new concave button on the Billet. Perfect. Put the drip tip in. NEW GAP City. FUCK. Figure it must be the base is too long, spend 10 minutes sanding the base. Still a gap. Remove bottom o-ring and sand the outer diameter. STILL A GAP. After further inspection there's a THIRD GODDAM O-RING SITTING IN THE CHANNEL FOR THE BORO NUT. Remove third ring. Sits flush.

Happy Shady.

You'd think after 6 years of vaping this dumb shit wouldn't happen. I just get too excited about my new toys! No, I was not day drinking before I did any of this. I am now because of it.
34fea8b60f5df9d16b5313340cde2676.jpg


Sent from the Death Star
 

BobsHere

From Wherever
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 5 Years
So who's ready for their daily dose of vape stupidity? Lots of it lately but this is mine.

Decided I want to rebuild my Xeta. Vapes okay but not as good as my first one. Looser draw, figured it's the DryPlug placement on the Bantam. I open the packaging for the Xeta and lo and behold: the air flow insert I THOUGHT I installed! Apparently I just grabbed the first two-hole one I saw and figured it was the same one I was using in my Billet. Smaller one installed, my perfect MTL.

HAKU Engineering 2, Shady 0.

Round two: received a Never Normal tip and button set that I got half off this weekend. I have a black ultem whistle tip I planned to use on my Bantam, going all stealth. Perfect.
Installed the new concave button on the Billet. Perfect. Put the drip tip in. NEW GAP City. FUCK. Figure it must be the base is too long, spend 10 minutes sanding the base. Still a gap. Remove bottom o-ring and sand the outer diameter. STILL A GAP. After further inspection there's a THIRD GODDAM O-RING SITTING IN THE CHANNEL FOR THE BORO NUT. Remove third ring. Sits flush.

Happy Shady.

You'd think after 6 years of vaping this dumb shit wouldn't happen. I just get too excited about my new toys! No, I was not day drinking before I did any of this. I am now because of it.
34fea8b60f5df9d16b5313340cde2676.jpg


Sent from the Death Star
Hate to say it...sounds like you're getting old...:teehee:
Welcome to my world.
 

gsmit1

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
So who's ready for their daily dose of vape stupidity? Lots of it lately but this is mine.

Decided I want to rebuild my Xeta. Vapes okay but not as good as my first one. Looser draw, figured it's the DryPlug placement on the Bantam. I open the packaging for the Xeta and lo and behold: the air flow insert I THOUGHT I installed! Apparently I just grabbed the first two-hole one I saw and figured it was the same one I was using in my Billet. Smaller one installed, my perfect MTL.

HAKU Engineering 2, Shady 0.

Round two: received a Never Normal tip and button set that I got half off this weekend. I have a black ultem whistle tip I planned to use on my Bantam, going all stealth. Perfect.
Installed the new concave button on the Billet. Perfect. Put the drip tip in. NEW GAP City. FUCK. Figure it must be the base is too long, spend 10 minutes sanding the base. Still a gap. Remove bottom o-ring and sand the outer diameter. STILL A GAP. After further inspection there's a THIRD GODDAM O-RING SITTING IN THE CHANNEL FOR THE BORO NUT. Remove third ring. Sits flush.

Happy Shady.

You'd think after 6 years of vaping this dumb shit wouldn't happen. I just get too excited about my new toys! No, I was not day drinking before I did any of this. I am now because of it.
34fea8b60f5df9d16b5313340cde2676.jpg
How are you liking the Bantam? They seem to be quite popular in some circles. The paucity of good 18350 batteries seems like a potential issue to me.
 

R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
How are you liking the Bantam? They seem to be quite popular in some circles. The paucity of good 18350 batteries seems like a potential issue to me.
I like it a lot! The Keeppower 1100mah are the best. I have four of those and the last me for about 2/3 of a boro with the Xeta. Low wattage, MTL though.
I have the Vapcells but they drop off slightly quicker.
If you vape over 15 watts you won't get the battery life to make it worth the purchase, IMO

Sent from the Death Star
 

~Don~

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
So who's ready for their daily dose of vape stupidity? Lots of it lately but this is mine.

Decided I want to rebuild my Xeta. Vapes okay but not as good as my first one. Looser draw, figured it's the DryPlug placement on the Bantam. I open the packaging for the Xeta and lo and behold: the air flow insert I THOUGHT I installed! Apparently I just grabbed the first two-hole one I saw and figured it was the same one I was using in my Billet. Smaller one installed, my perfect MTL.

HAKU Engineering 2, Shady 0.

Round two: received a Never Normal tip and button set that I got half off this weekend. I have a black ultem whistle tip I planned to use on my Bantam, going all stealth. Perfect.
Installed the new concave button on the Billet. Perfect. Put the drip tip in. NEW GAP City. FUCK. Figure it must be the base is too long, spend 10 minutes sanding the base. Still a gap. Remove bottom o-ring and sand the outer diameter. STILL A GAP. After further inspection there's a THIRD GODDAM O-RING SITTING IN THE CHANNEL FOR THE BORO NUT. Remove third ring. Sits flush.

Happy Shady.

You'd think after 6 years of vaping this dumb shit wouldn't happen. I just get too excited about my new toys! No, I was not day drinking before I did any of this. I am now because of it.
34fea8b60f5df9d16b5313340cde2676.jpg


Sent from the Death Star

All I got

4a9bcba99e52000451d1893c7f01467c.jpg



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BobsHere

From Wherever
VU Donator
Gold Contributor
Member For 5 Years
I was going to pass on those V2 whistle but got caught in the sale. The color is just not what I was looking for...anyone wants before they hit the FaceHole, holler.
20190919_181344.jpg
 

PaulS

Gold Contributor
Member For 5 Years
I like it a lot! The Keeppower 1100mah are the best. I have four of those and the last me for about 2/3 of a boro with the Xeta. Low wattage, MTL though.
I have the Vapcells but they drop off slightly quicker.
If you vape over 15 watts you won't get the battery life to make it worth the purchase, IMO

Sent from the Death Star
I like my bantams - vape them between 13 - 15 watts. I take a few batteries with me - well they are small. Generally two batteries for a full work day.
 

~Don~

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
There's just something about Haku products that throw me off, I guess!

Sent from the Death Star



Your coffee arrived today, thank you!

Brewed up a cup...drinking it black to get all the nuances.

Have some questions though.

Firstly, noticed there wasn’t much off gassing or bloom doing pour over... beans old or roasted to far for the bean type?

Granted I haven’t sipped it yet, I set the kettle for 202* pour and drink when it comes down a few....ok took a swirl...not getting anything...I’ll make another real quick...I mean I just had a cup of my normal bean...walked the dogs and checked the mail and BEANS...then made the first cup...

Ok making another, in my preferred way...waiting for the steep timer to finish (French Press)

199* 4.25 minutes... didn’t bloom again...

Smells better... hmm

Conflicted...

Ok I have more questions

Last I remember you’re roasting these beans, and I know you’re roasting to your preference.

Questions are...you still barrel roasting on the grill?

Time between cracks?

Natural air movement or forced air over beans while roasting?

Air cooled or naturally cooled?

God I sound like a fucking coffee snob...

Anyway I’ll give my impressions and please don’t take it offensively, we all have differing olfactory and taste buds.


Roast looks fairly uniformed with only a few off in a 30g pull from the bag...

Taking a whiff of just the beans, I get a burned scent, which I attribute to the full city roast, I really think this bean might surprise you at half city.

Mouth feel upon sipping it and letting it coat for a sec, mouth feel is smooth at first, but goes grainy with a tart sour flavor...heavy dark chocolate up front with what I’d say bakers chocolate on the finish.

This is why I made another cup, thought I may of had the water temp to high first...but 197-202 is perfect almost for all brew types with 199 for French press from experience being best...

But there is that definite burned taste to the overall cup that is hard to get passed to discern much more outside of a slight nutty not peanut but walnut’ish which I do like, but it’s being dwarfed by the burn.

Aftertaste lingers a long time...

Maybe it’s me...I mean I packed the whole garage today, packed up other stuff, pretty much zapped myself...dehydrated...and just exhausted.

I’ll try it again in the morning when my taste buds reset, I really believe it’s me, plus I did no favors having some literally after having my Yellow Honey Pacamara.


Yeah grain of salt homie...to be continued









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~Don~

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Apologies for the wall of text, it was over 45 minutes making a few cups and letting them cool etc and giving the whole cup a go (second)


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R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years


Your coffee arrived today, thank you!

Brewed up a cup...drinking it black to get all the nuances.

Have some questions though.

Firstly, noticed there wasn’t much off gassing or bloom doing pour over... beans old or roasted to far for the bean type?

Granted I haven’t sipped it yet, I set the kettle for 202* pour and drink when it comes down a few....ok took a swirl...not getting anything...I’ll make another real quick...I mean I just had a cup of my normal bean...walked the dogs and checked the mail and BEANS...then made the first cup...

Ok making another, in my preferred way...waiting for the steep timer to finish (French Press)

199* 4.25 minutes... didn’t bloom again...

Smells better... hmm

Conflicted...

Ok I have more questions

Last I remember you’re roasting these beans, and I know you’re roasting to your preference.

Questions are...you still barrel roasting on the grill?

Time between cracks?

Natural air movement or forced air over beans while roasting?

Air cooled or naturally cooled?

God I sound like a fucking coffee snob...

Anyway I’ll give my impressions and please don’t take it offensively, we all have differing olfactory and taste buds.


Roast looks fairly uniformed with only a few off in a 30g pull from the bag...

Taking a whiff of just the beans, I get a burned scent, which I attribute to the full city roast, I really think this bean might surprise you at half city.

Mouth feel upon sipping it and letting it coat for a sec, mouth feel is smooth at first, but goes grainy with a tart sour flavor...heavy dark chocolate up front with what I’d say bakers chocolate on the finish.

This is why I made another cup, thought I may of had the water temp to high first...but 197-202 is perfect almost for all brew types with 199 for French press from experience being best...

But there is that definite burned taste to the overall cup that is hard to get passed to discern much more outside of a slight nutty not peanut but walnut’ish which I do like, but it’s being dwarfed by the burn.

Aftertaste lingers a long time...

Maybe it’s me...I mean I packed the whole garage today, packed up other stuff, pretty much zapped myself...dehydrated...and just exhausted.

I’ll try it again in the morning when my taste buds reset, I really believe it’s me, plus I did no favors having some literally after having my Yellow Honey Pacamara.


Yeah grain of salt homie...to be continued









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Hmmm... no bloom you say? That's really odd. I wonder if they maybe sat too long. I'll have to get you some fresher beans then.

The last batch that I just did Tuesday definitely wasn't as dark. Typically with my Guats I roast them to City Plus and that's where I like them.

I roast all by feel, smell, and sound so staying consistent from roast to roast is a challenge.

I definitely appreciate the feedback either way! Constructive criticism is how we learn and grow, right?

As for that roast, I aim for an ambient temp of 500, charge the drum to about 300, then add the beans. They roll for about 17 min on average then go into first crack. I turn the temp down to around 450 to elongate first crack and usually let that roll for about 3 minutes give or take.

I air cool them after.

Sent from the Death Star
 

~Don~

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Hmmm... no bloom you say? That's really odd. I wonder if they maybe sat too long. I'll have to get you some fresher beans then.

The last batch that I just did Tuesday definitely wasn't as dark. Typically with my Guats I roast them to City Plus and that's where I like them.

I roast all by feel, smell, and sound so staying consistent from roast to roast is a challenge.

I definitely appreciate the feedback either way! Constructive criticism is how we learn and grow, right?

As for that roast, I aim for an ambient temp of 500, charge the drum to about 300, then add the beans. They roll for about 17 min on average then go into first crack. I turn the temp down to around 450 to elongate first crack and usually let that roll for about 3 minutes give or take.

I air cool them after.

Sent from the Death Star

Yeah there wasn’t a bloom...

As I said I’ll brew up some in the morning see if it’s my taste buds being wonky.

What are the tasting notes that you get from the beans?

If and when send out some again I’ll have to give you the new address.




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R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Yeah there wasn’t a bloom...

As I said I’ll brew up some in the morning see if it’s my taste buds being wonky.

What are the tasting notes that you get from the beans?

If and when send out some again I’ll have to give you the new address.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Usually I get milk chocolate, a slight nuttiness, and a little yeasty bread quality. Overall usually smooth. But again, I brew mine in a cheap ass drip machine haha

Sent from the Death Star
 

~Don~

Platinum Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Usually I get milk chocolate, a slight nuttiness, and a little yeasty bread quality. Overall usually smooth. But again, I brew mine in a cheap ass drip machine haha

Sent from the Death Star

Ok so I wasn’t really off on what it was...

I’ll try the Beans in my $17 Mr. Coffee coffee maker

Like I said, initial mouth feel is smooth, and I get the chocolate and a walnut like nut flavor...

I am also a half city roast guy, like the higher caffeine content

Even when I go to my local joint (bird rock) and buy a few bags, they give you a free coffee of choice (5 large coffee dispensers) and I always ask which one is a half city or lighter side of medium.

5f36f6acb366da43a49f2e8767c38a1f.jpg


Bottom one if yours

In the end... I love coffee


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R3alJim Shady

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Ok so I wasn’t really off on what it was...

I’ll try the Beans in my $17 Mr. Coffee coffee maker

Like I said, initial mouth feel is smooth, and I get the chocolate and a walnut like nut flavor...

I am also a half city roast guy, like the higher caffeine content

Even when I go to my local joint (bird rock) and buy a few bags, they give you a free coffee of choice (5 large coffee dispensers) and I always ask which one is a half city or lighter side of medium.

5f36f6acb366da43a49f2e8767c38a1f.jpg


Bottom one if yours

In the end... I love coffee


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yep, looks like I went over the mark with that one. When you get a chance send me your new addy and I'll get a better roast out to you. Maybe a bigger bag once I'm sure it's better

Sent from the Death Star
 

BrewBear

Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Yep, looks like I went over the mark with that one. When you get a chance send me your new addy and I'll get a better roast out to you. Maybe a bigger bag once I'm sure it's better

Sent from the Death Star
:sneaka:I think you better send me a sample beforehand, just to make sure you "don't abuse" the @~Don~'s sofhisticated pallate!:vino:









Just messin' with you, in my experience the best cup of coffee is the one at hand when nothing else is available:coffee2: I will draw the line at "american" coffee, it just looks and has the mouth feel of dirty water....and yes, I did have to drink that stuff when nothing else was available. Since then I carry a few sachets of Imperial Earl Grey tea with me, preferable to the 'merican coffee (to me at least).
 

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