Soldato
- Joined
- 14 Dec 2013
- Posts
- 2,589
** Introduction to vaping **
What is it?
Vaping is the act of vaporizing a nicotine solution and inhaling the resultant vapour to provide a nicotine dose similar to if a cigarette was smoked.
This link will tell you what all the jargon means but don't worry if you don't understand much of it: http://www.vapeland.co.uk/vaping-101-school-12-w.asp
Safety
Is vaping safe? The short answer is that we don't know. The safest way to vape is to not vape. However, is vaping safer than smoking tobacco? Almost certainly but again, not enough research has been done to 100% conclusively prove this.
Getting started
So, you want to pack in smoking do you? Vaping has helped many people give up tobacco where other cessation methods have failed. It's also a fun hobby. Please don't read this and think about starting vaping if you don't already smoke. This thread should not be taken as advice to start vaping, but if you have already made the decision it will help you understand the various devices you can buy and what it all means.
There are many, many devices on the market from "cigalikes" (devices that look like a regular cigarette), through to high-powered box-mods with dripping atomisers so, where to start? Firstly, ignore the cigalikes. They taste terrible and are expensive in comparison to buying a good quality atomizer, a flexible battery and some good liquid you can fill up.
What do I need?
To vape you need the following items:
A battery box - referred to as a "mod" - This provides the power for your vapes and are quite sophisticated devices these days. A variable wattage item (VW) will provide you with the ability to vary the amount of power your battery puts out depending on the liquid you are using, the atomizer you are using, and your general mood. They also come as fixed power items - known as mechanicals - but these are for advanced vapers who know what power they need for a given set of gear, although they are falling out of favor these days.
A tank - This will hold your liquid and produce the vapour from a heating coil that is replaceable. Some tanks use replaceable heads and others - referred to as RTAs or rebuildable tank atomizers - allow you to build your own coils and wicks to get your vapour exactly as you want it. Some tanks such as the Kanger Subtank provide for both methods with the same tank.
Liquid - also referred to as e-liquid or juice - This is the nicotine solution that you will be vapourizing. It comes in many different flavours and strengths from 24mg down to 0mg. A 20-a-day Marlboro Red smoker might start on 18mg and then gradually reduce this. If you are in to big clouds (discussed later in the thread) then 3mg or even 0mg is where you want to be.
Those 3 items will get you vaping and off the cigs.
Here are some recommendations for some stuff to get you started:
A good starter battery is the Eleaf iStick 30W. About £33 - https://www.ukecigstore.com/eleaf-istick-30w.html
A tank that is easy to start with is the Beyond Vape Silo £30 - http://www.provapes.co.uk/products/beyond-vape-silo-tank
Both of those items are easy to use and reliable. The Silo tank produces excellent flavour and vapour at around 13W while being easy to fill and cheap to keep running with easily replaceable coil heads that last about a week and cost about £1.50 each.
If that lot is a bit advanced and a bit rich at over £60, there are cheaper ways in to it without buying a cigalike. The Protank 2 starter kit contains a simple battery and a tank to get you started. The tank can be used on more advanced batteries if you decide to get more in to vaping. £20 gets you the bundle: http://myepack.co.uk/kits/mini-protank-2-kit-black.html
Choose your juice
As for liquids, it's very much a personal taste. I don't vape many tobacco flavours these days as they all taste like cigarettes smells in the packet (kind of raisin-y), but most starters will want something familiar so ask in the thread for advice on flavours from the guys who've tried them. Generally you can pick up a month's supply of premade juice for about £15 depending on the brand and website. Browse around the websites and read the descriptions to get an idea for what's there, but it's all trial and error. For a starter, I suggest about 11mg to 18mg strength juice, just until you find what suits you. Buy small amounts (10ml) at first until you find something you really like.
** Advanced vaping topics **
Next steps
Really, the sky is the limit with what you can spend and what you can do. Atomizers come in many different shapes, sizes and types from simple drippers - a device where you drip the liquid directly on to the coils - through to precision engineered rebuildable tanks. Most people will never need anything more than the items listed previously but others will want to take it further. A good next step would be a simple rebuildable atomizer such as the Kanger Subtank Mini. This will enable you to use either low-resistance coils for some big vapour or an easy to use, rebuildable head on which you can make your first coils.
Build your own coils
Building your own coils on a Subtank Mini or similar is fun and can be rewarding when you get it just so. Traditionally, coils are made from Kanthal wire and wound over a 2mm to 3mm shaft several times to get to the desired resistance. It looks hard the first time you see it but it really isn't. There are also tools available to help you such as the Coil Master coiling jig. These make making coils an absolute doddle. The best thing to do if you want to build your own coils is to watch some of the many videos on Youtube of people building on either a Subtank Mini or a Kayfun.
Once you have your coils built, you need to make a wick. Ko Gen Do cottom is the wicking material of choice these days and provides a smooth vape and is easy to work with.
A recent development in coiling is called temperature control. This is where a coil with a known resistance is wound out of NI200 wire. This wire has a very predictable change in resistance for a given temperature and so a suitable battery can estimate the temperature of the coil. To do temperature control you will need either a mod based on the DNA40 - such as the RDNA40 - or SX350J - such as the YiHi SX-Mini M-Class. Temperature control is in it's infancy at the moment and isn't recommended for beginners at all.
Sub-ohm vaping
Sub-ohm vaping is where a coil resistance of less than 1 Ohm is used. Most tanks were until recently in the 1.8 to 2.5 Ohm range but recently there has been a trend towards coils of 0.5 Ohms or less. These when paired with a suitable mod of 30W plus will provide massive clouds. DO NOT PUT SUB OHM COILS ON BASIC EGO BATTERIES
The previously mentioned Subtank Mini is a good introduction to sub-ohm vaping with the provided 0.5 Ohm coil. These coils can also be re-wicked when they wear out and last ages.
Dripping
A simple dripping atomizer is the single-malt whiskey tasting of vaping. It is vaping in it's purest form. A simple atomizer on top of a powerful battery, coiled how you want and with liquid dripped directly on to the coil. Drippers will give the very best flavour and the biggest clouds but their requirement for always carrying a bottle of liquid with you makes them unsuitable for a beginner. They are massive fun though.
Useful links
Vaping Forums
http://ukvapers.org/
http://allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/
http://www.planetofthevapes.co.uk/
Recommended Hardware Vendors (Mods and PV's, Atty's, supplies etc)
www.angelfiremods.co.uk/
www.cloud9vaping.co.uk/
www.greyhaze.co.uk/
http://www.liberty-flights.co.uk/
www.myepack.co.uk/
www.stealthvape.co.uk/
www.vape-atomizer-mesh.com/
www.vapeescape.co.uk/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/essexvapours
http://essex-vapours.co.uk/
Batteries (Torchy ebay store, respected battery supplier)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/big_f_d_d
Recommended Juice Vendors
www.chefsvapour.co.uk
www.digbysjuices.co.uk
www.grantsvanillacustard.com
www.krakenecigs.com
www.mrslord.co.uk
www.redjuice.co.uk
www.scopesejuice.co.uk
www.spectrumvaping.co.uk
www.spiritusvapes.com
http://tmax-juices.co.uk/
www.vapehype.com
www.vapingking.co.uk
http://www.e-smokeless.co.uk/
Youtube Channels worth checking out (Reviews, tips & tricks etc)
Damien Morter (ABGV): https://www.youtube.com/user/ABloodyGoodVaping
Martyn Parker: https://www.youtube.com/user/vapingreviews
Pauly Meatballs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcIYia_3w10rfIJWicsRjLQ
Phil Busardo : https://www.youtube.com/user/pbusardo
Rip Trippers: https://www.youtube.com/user/RiPTrippers
The Vaping Bogan (not if you’re easily offended): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCExqR7C-PZp9aTEF-hUIRsA
Scott Bonner: https://www.youtube.com/user/igetcha69
Todd: https://www.youtube.com/user/toddecigreviews
Vaping Greek: https://www.youtube.com/user/VapinGreek
VapingwithTwisted420: https://www.youtube.com/user/VapingwithTwisted42
Handy websites for coil building, Ohms Law
www.coiltoy.ermeso.com/
www.steam-engine.org/
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/
DIY Mixing
Supplies
http://www.leisureliquids.co.uk/
http://www.thealchemistscupboard.co.uk/
http://www.chefsvapour.co.uk/
http://www.flavourart.co.uk/
Recipes
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/
http://www.e-liquid-recipes.com/
http://eliquid-recipes.co.uk/
Android Apps:
Cloud.Box: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ermeso.cloudbox
Microcoil Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.powervaping.commercial.microcoilpro
Ohms Law Calculator: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.calculatorco.ohmslaw
Steam Engine: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.steam_engine
Vapers Toolbox: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.valsoft.vaperstoolbox
DIY Liquid
E-Liquid Calculator: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.boggi.esig
eLiquid Recipe Manager Lite and Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Composed+Chaos
iOS Apps:
Microcoil Pro: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/microcoil-pro-swiss-vaping/id890062636?mt=8
Ohms Law Calculator: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ohmulator-ohms-law-calculator/id398901336?mt=8
Links from original thread (some may be old).
What is it?
Vaping is the act of vaporizing a nicotine solution and inhaling the resultant vapour to provide a nicotine dose similar to if a cigarette was smoked.
This link will tell you what all the jargon means but don't worry if you don't understand much of it: http://www.vapeland.co.uk/vaping-101-school-12-w.asp
Safety
Is vaping safe? The short answer is that we don't know. The safest way to vape is to not vape. However, is vaping safer than smoking tobacco? Almost certainly but again, not enough research has been done to 100% conclusively prove this.
Getting started
So, you want to pack in smoking do you? Vaping has helped many people give up tobacco where other cessation methods have failed. It's also a fun hobby. Please don't read this and think about starting vaping if you don't already smoke. This thread should not be taken as advice to start vaping, but if you have already made the decision it will help you understand the various devices you can buy and what it all means.
There are many, many devices on the market from "cigalikes" (devices that look like a regular cigarette), through to high-powered box-mods with dripping atomisers so, where to start? Firstly, ignore the cigalikes. They taste terrible and are expensive in comparison to buying a good quality atomizer, a flexible battery and some good liquid you can fill up.
What do I need?
To vape you need the following items:
A battery box - referred to as a "mod" - This provides the power for your vapes and are quite sophisticated devices these days. A variable wattage item (VW) will provide you with the ability to vary the amount of power your battery puts out depending on the liquid you are using, the atomizer you are using, and your general mood. They also come as fixed power items - known as mechanicals - but these are for advanced vapers who know what power they need for a given set of gear, although they are falling out of favor these days.
A tank - This will hold your liquid and produce the vapour from a heating coil that is replaceable. Some tanks use replaceable heads and others - referred to as RTAs or rebuildable tank atomizers - allow you to build your own coils and wicks to get your vapour exactly as you want it. Some tanks such as the Kanger Subtank provide for both methods with the same tank.
Liquid - also referred to as e-liquid or juice - This is the nicotine solution that you will be vapourizing. It comes in many different flavours and strengths from 24mg down to 0mg. A 20-a-day Marlboro Red smoker might start on 18mg and then gradually reduce this. If you are in to big clouds (discussed later in the thread) then 3mg or even 0mg is where you want to be.
Those 3 items will get you vaping and off the cigs.
Here are some recommendations for some stuff to get you started:
A good starter battery is the Eleaf iStick 30W. About £33 - https://www.ukecigstore.com/eleaf-istick-30w.html
A tank that is easy to start with is the Beyond Vape Silo £30 - http://www.provapes.co.uk/products/beyond-vape-silo-tank
Both of those items are easy to use and reliable. The Silo tank produces excellent flavour and vapour at around 13W while being easy to fill and cheap to keep running with easily replaceable coil heads that last about a week and cost about £1.50 each.
If that lot is a bit advanced and a bit rich at over £60, there are cheaper ways in to it without buying a cigalike. The Protank 2 starter kit contains a simple battery and a tank to get you started. The tank can be used on more advanced batteries if you decide to get more in to vaping. £20 gets you the bundle: http://myepack.co.uk/kits/mini-protank-2-kit-black.html
Choose your juice
As for liquids, it's very much a personal taste. I don't vape many tobacco flavours these days as they all taste like cigarettes smells in the packet (kind of raisin-y), but most starters will want something familiar so ask in the thread for advice on flavours from the guys who've tried them. Generally you can pick up a month's supply of premade juice for about £15 depending on the brand and website. Browse around the websites and read the descriptions to get an idea for what's there, but it's all trial and error. For a starter, I suggest about 11mg to 18mg strength juice, just until you find what suits you. Buy small amounts (10ml) at first until you find something you really like.
** Advanced vaping topics **
Next steps
Really, the sky is the limit with what you can spend and what you can do. Atomizers come in many different shapes, sizes and types from simple drippers - a device where you drip the liquid directly on to the coils - through to precision engineered rebuildable tanks. Most people will never need anything more than the items listed previously but others will want to take it further. A good next step would be a simple rebuildable atomizer such as the Kanger Subtank Mini. This will enable you to use either low-resistance coils for some big vapour or an easy to use, rebuildable head on which you can make your first coils.
Build your own coils
Building your own coils on a Subtank Mini or similar is fun and can be rewarding when you get it just so. Traditionally, coils are made from Kanthal wire and wound over a 2mm to 3mm shaft several times to get to the desired resistance. It looks hard the first time you see it but it really isn't. There are also tools available to help you such as the Coil Master coiling jig. These make making coils an absolute doddle. The best thing to do if you want to build your own coils is to watch some of the many videos on Youtube of people building on either a Subtank Mini or a Kayfun.
Once you have your coils built, you need to make a wick. Ko Gen Do cottom is the wicking material of choice these days and provides a smooth vape and is easy to work with.
A recent development in coiling is called temperature control. This is where a coil with a known resistance is wound out of NI200 wire. This wire has a very predictable change in resistance for a given temperature and so a suitable battery can estimate the temperature of the coil. To do temperature control you will need either a mod based on the DNA40 - such as the RDNA40 - or SX350J - such as the YiHi SX-Mini M-Class. Temperature control is in it's infancy at the moment and isn't recommended for beginners at all.
Sub-ohm vaping
Sub-ohm vaping is where a coil resistance of less than 1 Ohm is used. Most tanks were until recently in the 1.8 to 2.5 Ohm range but recently there has been a trend towards coils of 0.5 Ohms or less. These when paired with a suitable mod of 30W plus will provide massive clouds. DO NOT PUT SUB OHM COILS ON BASIC EGO BATTERIES
The previously mentioned Subtank Mini is a good introduction to sub-ohm vaping with the provided 0.5 Ohm coil. These coils can also be re-wicked when they wear out and last ages.
Dripping
A simple dripping atomizer is the single-malt whiskey tasting of vaping. It is vaping in it's purest form. A simple atomizer on top of a powerful battery, coiled how you want and with liquid dripped directly on to the coil. Drippers will give the very best flavour and the biggest clouds but their requirement for always carrying a bottle of liquid with you makes them unsuitable for a beginner. They are massive fun though.
Useful links
Vaping Forums
http://ukvapers.org/
http://allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/
http://www.planetofthevapes.co.uk/
Recommended Hardware Vendors (Mods and PV's, Atty's, supplies etc)
www.angelfiremods.co.uk/
www.cloud9vaping.co.uk/
www.greyhaze.co.uk/
http://www.liberty-flights.co.uk/
www.myepack.co.uk/
www.stealthvape.co.uk/
www.vape-atomizer-mesh.com/
www.vapeescape.co.uk/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/essexvapours
http://essex-vapours.co.uk/
Batteries (Torchy ebay store, respected battery supplier)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/big_f_d_d
Recommended Juice Vendors
www.chefsvapour.co.uk
www.digbysjuices.co.uk
www.grantsvanillacustard.com
www.krakenecigs.com
www.mrslord.co.uk
www.redjuice.co.uk
www.scopesejuice.co.uk
www.spectrumvaping.co.uk
www.spiritusvapes.com
http://tmax-juices.co.uk/
www.vapehype.com
www.vapingking.co.uk
http://www.e-smokeless.co.uk/
Youtube Channels worth checking out (Reviews, tips & tricks etc)
Damien Morter (ABGV): https://www.youtube.com/user/ABloodyGoodVaping
Martyn Parker: https://www.youtube.com/user/vapingreviews
Pauly Meatballs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcIYia_3w10rfIJWicsRjLQ
Phil Busardo : https://www.youtube.com/user/pbusardo
Rip Trippers: https://www.youtube.com/user/RiPTrippers
The Vaping Bogan (not if you’re easily offended): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCExqR7C-PZp9aTEF-hUIRsA
Scott Bonner: https://www.youtube.com/user/igetcha69
Todd: https://www.youtube.com/user/toddecigreviews
Vaping Greek: https://www.youtube.com/user/VapinGreek
VapingwithTwisted420: https://www.youtube.com/user/VapingwithTwisted42
Handy websites for coil building, Ohms Law
www.coiltoy.ermeso.com/
www.steam-engine.org/
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/
DIY Mixing
Supplies
http://www.leisureliquids.co.uk/
http://www.thealchemistscupboard.co.uk/
http://www.chefsvapour.co.uk/
http://www.flavourart.co.uk/
Recipes
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/
http://www.e-liquid-recipes.com/
http://eliquid-recipes.co.uk/
Android Apps:
Cloud.Box: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ermeso.cloudbox
Microcoil Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.powervaping.commercial.microcoilpro
Ohms Law Calculator: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.calculatorco.ohmslaw
Steam Engine: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.steam_engine
Vapers Toolbox: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.valsoft.vaperstoolbox
DIY Liquid
E-Liquid Calculator: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.boggi.esig
eLiquid Recipe Manager Lite and Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Composed+Chaos
iOS Apps:
Microcoil Pro: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/microcoil-pro-swiss-vaping/id890062636?mt=8
Ohms Law Calculator: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ohmulator-ohms-law-calculator/id398901336?mt=8
Links from original thread (some may be old).
Websites to browse:
http://vapourhut.com/
http://ukvapers.com/
a big forum full of vaping fanatics
http://www.ecigwizard.com/shop/
http://www.stealthvape.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home
http://www.liberty-flights.co.uk/
DIY juice mixing links:
http://www.cig-eliquid.co.uk/
http://www.thealchemistscupboard.co.uk/DIY,_Mixing,_Flavours,_Nic,_Etc/cat1708885_1667536.aspx
http://www.vapersemporium.co.uk/index.php
http://everythingliquid.co.uk/shop/nicotine-7-2/
Flavour concentrates
http://www.justvape247.com/tfa--form...ntice-51-c.asp
http://www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk/
Lots of starter kits, and reasonably noob friendly with lots of videos explaning/demonstrating kit, but usually quite a bit more expensive than other sites.
There are loads more, but will add them later.
Useful tools for the enthusiast
Coil resistance Calculator
http://www.steam-engine.org/coil.asp
Juice mixing Calculator
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/
http://vapourhut.com/
http://ukvapers.com/
a big forum full of vaping fanatics
http://www.ecigwizard.com/shop/
http://www.stealthvape.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home
http://www.liberty-flights.co.uk/
DIY juice mixing links:
http://www.cig-eliquid.co.uk/
http://www.thealchemistscupboard.co.uk/DIY,_Mixing,_Flavours,_Nic,_Etc/cat1708885_1667536.aspx
http://www.vapersemporium.co.uk/index.php
http://everythingliquid.co.uk/shop/nicotine-7-2/
Flavour concentrates
http://www.justvape247.com/tfa--form...ntice-51-c.asp
http://www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk/
Lots of starter kits, and reasonably noob friendly with lots of videos explaning/demonstrating kit, but usually quite a bit more expensive than other sites.
There are loads more, but will add them later.
Useful tools for the enthusiast
Coil resistance Calculator
http://www.steam-engine.org/coil.asp
Juice mixing Calculator
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/
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