rda for a newbie

[slayer420-x]

I recently purchased a ipv v2, and i'm wanting to get a rda soon. Im not sure what rda id get though, i was told id want one capable of single coil builds as id need to get singles down before thinking bout duals, and adjustable airflow to use single/ dual correct? And a deeper juice well as im sure id over drip at first, and i wouldnt wanna get juice all over my new ipv2 lol. Id order from canada, & theres a site ive ordered juice from that offer several rda's, i'd appreciate if someone could tell me which one from this site would be good http://www.mapleleafvapes.com/category_s/168.htm i like the dark horse, stillaire, tugboat, but idk which would be best & if able to do single coil. And id need to know everything id need, they offer the kanthol, 20 pck japanese cotton, ohm readers, id also need a screwdriver set? Idk which kind. Also id like a rda with lots of airflow as well as other features i mentioned.

 

[dre]

I'd pick a tugboat. The v2 has a single coil option and its a perfect balance of flavor and clouds. The dark horse is only good at very low sub ohm builds I know that for sure. Not a good first RDA.

 

[RBVapes]

The Hobo is a good choice as it comes apart into three pieces giving you unobstructed access to the build deck. It can run single or dual coil and has adjustable airflow. And echo what dre said, I have a tugboat and love it.

 

[Giraut]

First of all, you don't *have* to do dual-coil builds. Single coil builds can be just as great if wicked properly, in the right atomizer, often with a lower power setting. The whole point of multi-coil builds is to increase the length of wire exposed to the juice, to pass more power without burning the juice. But you can achieve the same thing with a longer single coil. Me, I pretty much only vape single coils.

So, if you want a good single coil atomizers, here are two I highly recommend:

1/ The Smok Dripper RDA:

It's very forgiving, extremely easy to build on, doesn't require tools, doesn't require a drip tip and it's one of the smallest atomizers around. It renders flavors very well and produces a decent amount of vapor. It's also dirt-cheap - so cheap in fact that if you find the airflow inadequate, you'll have no qualms about drilling out the air hole to enlarge it.

2/ The Manta v2 (authentic or clone)

Now this thing you gotta try. It's FA-BU-LOUS. Flavor and vapor density are out of this world - I kid you not. It's super-easy to build on, has a small domed chamber, is very low profile, and most importantly, has an innovative vertical air channel system that makes it completely leak-free, even if you flood the hell out of it. You can build it single coil and dual coil, and set the air channels accordingly (with air coming from one side only, or both sides, inside the chamber).

The only drawbacks are the O-ring, which are tight as fuck, and the price of the authentic - like all authentics, it feels like assrape when you sign on the dotted line. But the clone is very affordable.

 

[anendeloflorien]

If you're looking for something stupid simple to start off with an Igo-L is usually like $6 (single coil, one air hole, that's it!) or an igo-w plus is like $12.

 

[nightshard]

When building i use a screwdriver, tweezers, wire cutters.
It is advisable have some kind of base with a 510 connector, in order to mount your atty on while you build, an ohm meter with a 510 connector could serve both purposes.
I don't know which resistance you're aiming for and a bet you don't know either, so 28AWG is good to start with.
Knowing what's more important for you, flavor or vapor, will help in order to recommend one.
I bought my Japanese cotton directly from a Japanese koh gen do vendor, made it cheeper and authentic, since what vape vendors do is buying a big package, cutting it into many small packages then selling it for a high price, sometimes not even selling proper Japanese cotton.

 

[slayer420-x]

Vapor production is what im looking for, and also building coils being cheaper then premade aspire coils. I notice alot of rda's dont say if they can do single as well as dual coils. Can any three post atty do singles? But with doing single coil i'd want adjustable airflow right, the tugboat i see has 2 fixed air flows for duals, dont you want to be able to just have one side open?

 

[Giraut]

Any atomizer can do single coils. But not all atomizers perform well in single coil mode.

 

[mike-c]

Well as a rule, when I want a good single coil "flavor" build I found it's best to have a single coil rda. That's both for flavor and vapor production. You see, the smaller the chamber the better flavor but also the more dense the vapor. I'm not saying you can't get a good vape from a single coil in a dual coil atty. I'm just sayin that single coil atty's have an advantage in that area.

Air flow is key for more vapor for sure. That being said, most single coil rdas are really inexpensive as stated above so you won't feel reluctant to drill out the air holes. A good tip would be to start out ob the smaller side. It's easier to drill out more than to try to close the holes back up some.

For a beginner, I would have to suggest you check out the Plume Veil. That rda has many great features that make the building process easier for newbies like the dual hole center post. That feature makes it a lot easier to build dual coils. It also means that the atty will grow with you. You stated that you are more into vapor production than flavor, so as you get more comfortable with ohms law and battery safety, you will have more room for thicker gauge wire later on.

The Plume Veil also has lots of airflow options build in. There's a delrin piece in the top cap that be adjusted for top fed airflow, or you could even remove it completely for wide open flow. But wait there's more! Lol If that's still not enough, you can always pick up a Chuff Enough top cap, and use a dremel to widen the cyclops airflow holes on the barrelfor that wide open ccompetition style airflow.

My point is this rda will be with you for a long time. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

 

[slayer420-x]

Yeah the Plume Veil does look like a good option, it has option for single coil's and single airflow option having one side closed off which is important for single coils right? Like the tobh or tugboat look like they have fixed af so you cant close one side, is it not good to do single with both sides open? Also can you tell me everything id need? A screwdriver set, with specific sizes, i could get that from doller store or home depot. I should have a ohm checker as well correct? And i was told to get a butain torch, is that neccesary? If there only few bucks its ok. You use it to torch kanthol first to sanitize and make more maluble? I always see on youtube people just pulse coil on atty to pinch , that would clean it? And wire cutters or nail cutters, kanthol, and cotton..? I'd like to do sub ohm but i have ipv2 so idk what best builds are for its range.. maybe id like to aim around .5,.6,.7.. so what gauge , 28? And theres websites to tell how many wraps & stuff for certain ohms right, as well as youtube. Ill be watching ton of youtube videos to help with building on whatever atty i get. Also for cotton, you want japanese cotton right? Is that the square strips, the site i mention sells 20 pack japanese cotton for like $4, and 30 feet of vapo wire for $12, and they have a ohm reader for $25, so i can get most supplies here. http://www.mapleleafvapes.com/category_s/187.htm

 

[mike-c]

Yes you really do need an ohms reader. More importantly though you need a good ohms law app. As far as screw drivers goes, I'd just pick up a set of Stanley precision screw drivers from Wal-Mart. You can go to Home Depot and get metric drill bits to wrap your coils around or there are many different coil jigs you can get online. My phone is an Android so I used the Vapers Toolbox to help plan my coil builds. I have no idea what the IPhone equivalent would be to that though. As far as the rest of it goes, it's all just a matter of opinion and cost mindedness. I really don't mind boiling my own cotton so I just buy a big bag of organic cotton from Wal-Mart.

One last thing. You might want to get your kanthol from a reputable source. There are shops out there that sells kanthol that has lead in it. No amount of torching will get rid of that. It would be worth your time to do a little reading on that.

Btw, torching your wire helps soften the wire, but it's mostly to make it less springy. It makes it a lot easier to get perfect coils. However, with experience you'll notice that with thicker gauge wire you won't really need to torch the wire to get a descent coil. I just pulse and squeeze to tidy the coils before wicking.

Hope that helps, but remember this... these are merely suggestions. You might find that something else works better for you. I do believe that this will get ya started in the right direction. With your

 

[mike-c]

Oh I forgot. My authentic Plume Veil has a single coil airflow option. If you've seen one that doesn't I would suggest looking at other vendors.

 

[Number3124]

I have a 1:1 clone of the Tugboat called the Steamboat. It is actually a pretty decent option for single coil building, and the price is hard to beat at $16.99 on 101vape.com.

That's just my two cents though. I've enjoyed the mod.

Edit: Oh, I forgot to mention that the Tugboat and Steamboat both are optimized for dual coil builds, but one side of the airflow ports can closed off on the side that does not have a coil.

 

[slayer420-x]

I see that the original tugboat doesnt have single coil airflow option but the tugboat v2 does from what ive seen on youtube. The tugboat on website ill probably purchase from does'nt list it has tugboat v2, but from pic it looks like it as it has the diamond around tugboat logo where v1 is just a tugboat. I'll have to ask the vendor to make sure. But if its the v2 with single coil airflow it would be good starter to? i like looks as well as deep well. The plume veil's unique under coil airflow makes me nervous as it looks like its gonna leak very easy & often, but the 4 post seams itd be very easy to do duals. Also the kanthol on my vendor website is vapo wire which is popular right, is $12 deacent for 30 ft vapo wire? and just to make sure that square sheets japanese cotton is what id want right?

 

[Number3124]

Actually, that Kanthal is pretty over-prices. You can get it for about $6 or $7 for 100ft.

 

[mike-c]

I got to be honest, the Plume Veil does leak some. It's not that bad if you don't go crazy with the juice though.

I agree with Number about the price you quoted on that kanthol. That's pretty high. You can find it much cheaper if you look around.

As far as cotton goes, I started out boiling cotton balls but have recently tried cotton bacon. It's starting to grow on me. It soaks up juice much better than cotton balls and is ready to go right out of the bag. It's cheap too.

 

[slayer420-x]

hmm..Maybe the tugboat v2 would be better then..so if im gonna start with single coils, and id like to do sub ohm. im thinking .5 or so, as i have ipv2 its 50 w. the way i figured it looked at it like a mech, 4.2 x 4.2 /.5 = 35.2 watts, or .4 =44 watts. so i wouldnt wanna really go lower than .4 on my ipv2 right, am i looking at that correct? so if i wanna do .5,.6,.7 wouldnt i need 26 ga? with 28 it would only be few wraps to do that res. right. and when you do dual coils it cuts res in half. so if you have two 1 ohm coils itll be .5 right. or maybe i should get 26 & 28 ga.. what i'd also like to know, i know that the lower the gauge the lower the resistance would be & gives more heat,& higher gauge thinner wire is higher res. but what does more wraps or less wraps, or using bigger screwdriver vs smaller to wrap do? is it more wraps = higher res, fewer wraps = lower res? and a larger screwdriver gives higher res, thinner screwdriver give lower res?

 

[Garemlin]

The Magma works great as a single coil and is very easy to build on. You can turn the afc ring to just let air in to the side that your coil is on. And it holds a massive amount of juice. It is a flavor chaser too.

For kanthal you can't beat Lightning Vapes. Direct or from their ebay store. Cotton you can get Japanese cotton pads that are every but as good as KGD on Amazon. Pack of 200 for under $9.

Cotton Labo ORGANIC Cotton Puff Size M (200pc)

And if you want to cheat a little with coil building you can pick up a set of Kuro Koilers from Fastech for under $7 for the set of 3.

Kuro Koiler Wire Coiling Tool (3-Piece Set)

 

[slayer420-x]

I was more set on the plume veil, due to the 4 post design making it real easy to do duals. But those bottom airflows really concern me about it leaking. and i've read lots of complaints about it leaking alot and thats definetly not somthing i wanna deal with, i realise with rda's a little juice is bound to get out. but i dont want it happening all the time all over my mod and stuff. The magma has similar bottom airflow. So im thinking tugboat v2 may be better? It also can close one side airflow & it just looks simple, other then the 3 post. After seeing 4 post it seems so much easier. Is 3 post still pretty easy ? For duals im guessing you put each coil one at time tighten negetive for each then the middle positive

 

[mike-c]

The air holes in the negative posts on the Plume Veil can be plugged. I've seen posts on the forum that tell of people closing off the holes permanently with high temp J.B. Weld, but could also be done less permanently by breaking off a wooden toothpick in each hole.

I'm sure that with a little research you should be able to find a different style atty that uses the split post design that originated in the Plume Veil though. That seems to be a rather commonly borrowed feature with newly released atty's.

 

[RBVapes]

Actually, that Kanthal is pretty over-prices. You can get it for about $6 or $7 for 100ft.

I don't know if we should trust a Romulan! ;-)

 

[RBVapes]

The Magma works great as a single coil and is very easy to build on. You can turn the afc ring to just let air in to the side that your coil is on. And it holds a massive amount of juice. It is a flavor chaser too.

For kanthal you can't beat Lightning Vapes. Direct or from their ebay store. Cotton you can get Japanese cotton pads that are every but as good as KGD on Amazon. Pack of 200 for under $9.

Cotton Labo ORGANIC Cotton Puff Size M (200pc)

And if you want to cheat a little with coil building you can pick up a set of Kuro Koilers from Fastech for under $7 for the set of 3.

Kuro Koiler Wire Coiling Tool (3-Piece Set)

I have to agree, my two magmas run in single coil mode, they just seem to shine best in that config, otherwise it's too hot for my liking!

 

[vladtepes]

only skimmed thread.. but just throwing this out there.. very new to RDAs and picked up an infinite CLT.. dual coil build is easy... plenty of room.. and run .6 at 30watts on a vaporshark... very happy with it.

 

[MKPM]

I shall weigh in with the Magma.

 

[Number3124]

I don't know if we should trust a Romulan! ;-)

How dare you! I'm a Cardassian.

 

[anendeloflorien]

I shall weigh in with the Magma.

Yeah, I'm loving my magma. takes a little tinkering around (like most any RDA) to figure out what works best but man once you find your sweet spot it is awesome!

 

[pjerzy]

Just bought my first rda and I picked up the mutation x v2. Pretty easy to build on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Neunerball]

Yeah, I'm loving my magma. takes a little tinkering around (like most any RDA) to figure out what works best but man once you find your sweet spot it is awesome!

The Magma, for me personally, doesn't have enough airflow.

I'd go with the Tugboat v2, or Mutation X v3 (cheap, original and good http://www.vapordna.com/Project-Sub-Ohm-Mutation-X-RDA-V3-by-Indulgence-p/psox04.htm). The Dark Horse is better suited for cloud chasing than for flavor.

 

[Panther1911]

I am a big fan of my plume veil...i have run in both single and dual coil mode. i think it has a great balance of flavor and vapor

 

[slayer420-x]

Ok so i'd need to get along with a rda, kanthol, japanese cotton, ohm reader, precision screwdriver set for wrapping, wire cutters, tweezers and scissors, that everything i'd need? Ive also heard a butain torch is good to soften and sanitize wire, also to heat wire while pinching with tweezers. But i thought you can just dry burn coil and pinch on atty / mod? Is it dangerous to do it that way? If so would a propayne torch be ok? I may be able to get a propayne torch but ive only heard of butain

 

[Panther1911]

Ok so i'd need to get along with a rda, kanthol, japanese cotton, ohm reader, precision screwdriver set for wrapping, wire cutters, tweezers and scissors, that everything i'd need? Ive also heard a butain torch is good to soften and sanitize wire, also to heat wire while pinching with tweezers. But i thought you can just dry burn coil and pinch on atty / mod? Is it dangerous to do it that way? If so would a propayne torch be ok? I may be able to get a propayne torch but ive only heard of butain

I like to use a small pair of needle nose pliers instead of tweezers, but thats just me

this is the torch i use http://www.harborfreight.com/butane-micro-torch-60645.html .....i picked it up at my local harbor freight, i got a can of butane from my local hardware store

i like to wrap my coil and its not perfect yet, but i lightly hold it squeezed together in the pliers and torch it. I let it cool for a few seconds then put it back on the screwdriver i used to wrap it then use that as a guide/holder to help put it in and secure it to the posts then ohm read it to check for shorts. them i put it on the mod and dry fire when it glows you can see where the hot spots are, release fire button, then gently squeeze the coil with pliers, while its still glowing, but not while fire button is pressed. i hold while it cools...then do as many times as needed until the coil is the way you want it and it heats up nicly from the center out.

 

[pjerzy]

Mutation v3 damn it. I just got the v2. Wish I would have waited. Could have gotten that a little cheaper and its new...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Neunerball]

Mutation v3 damn it. I just got the v2. Wish I would have waited. Could have gotten that a little cheaper and its new...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guess what...I have the Mutation X V3. It has a little booklet in it, showing optional parts AND a Mutation XL V3. Can't wait to get my hands on one of those for my 26650 Stingray X.

 

[slayer420-x]

Im using 8 mg nic atm on my nautilus, but i was on 12, so 8 a tad low. My juice place offers 0 4 8 12, would 4 be good? Or not enough?

 

[slayer420-x]

Also ive heard using rda's is cheaper then buying premade coil. But alot more juice is expensive. How much juice a month do rda use roughly? Like 2x a tank? So if im using 60 ml in nautilus id use a 120ml bottle a month? That may be more expensive

 

[Number3124]

I go through about 30ml a week of 6mg juice. That's just me though.

 

[JediTT]

Tugboat or Plume Veil IMO

 

[Number3124]

I have a Tugboat clone. They're great little attys and easy to build on. That said the Plume Veil is easier to build dual-coil setups on due to the split positive post. In all fairness though, the Plume Veil leaks a little, and some clones coat the deck with with very bright brass instead of gold.

 

[slayer420-x]

The clones are tobecco plume veil & tugboat v2.

 

[Number3124]

The clones are tobecco plume veil & tugboat v2.

Actually, I'd say go for the Infinite Plume Veil or Tobh V2 over the Tobeccos. Infinite makes excellent clones. There's also a Lawless Steamboat V2 which is a 1/1 and excellent quality.

 

[slayer420-x]

Tobbecco is only ones i can get. Ill proboly go with a tugboat v2, just because of plume veil leaking issue. also if im using 8 mg now but its not enough i usually get 12 mg nic, should 4 be ok? THey offer 0 4 8 12 16 18 24 28 32.. and for kanthol should i get 28 or 26 gauge? IM goona start with single but may do duals pretty quick, & i'd like to aim for .5 is lowest as i have 50 w box mod. May go anywhere from .5-1 id guess. Or i could get one 30 ft roll of each.

 

[JediTT]

I think 26 ga is a pretty good all around gauge, not to big, not too small, can make a wide variety of builds with it.

 

[slayer420-x]

Ordered a tugboat v2, eleaf ohm reader, 26 & 28 gauge, kohgendo japanese cotton. If i was at 12 mg nic on nautilus is 4 ok for rda? HOpe so i ordered two 120ml bottles of 4 mg

 

[slayer420-x]

Just hoping its enough nic

 

[Number3124]

Just hoping its enough nic

I'd have gone with six TBH. Especially before getting so much juice.

 

[JediTT]

Just hoping its enough nic

One of the reasons ppl drip lower nic is because there's so much more vapor compared to most tanks so whether 4 mg is enough nic for you is going to depend on how you build.

I'd have gone with six TBH. Especially before getting so much juice.

6 seems to be a sweet spot for a lot of people. I drip 6 in a rda but can tank 18-24mg.

 

[JLFROST]

I am also newer to modifying!!!
Can anyone tell me if it would be worth drilling out these holes on this copper Atty RDA cap?
Because they are so close together wouldn't they just form one giant slit in the side of the cap?
The guy at the vape shop said that would be okay to do because my RDA has two metal lips that partially cover up one of the holes but nothing I can notice that much.

There are 6 holes total and 3 on each side.
Pictures show RDA cap and the other shows the metal lips that sit by the coils where the RDA cap vents are positioned

 

[dre]

It will increase the airflow slightly and increase the vapor but flavor might be less.

 

[JLFROST]

It will increase the airflow slightly and increase the vapor but flavor might be less.

so its totally not worth it then, thank you

 

[dre]

Depends what are you after? Clouds? If that's the case you can drill it like a mutation x.