Time for some new SS wire

[schlinky]

The last time I bought some I got 0.3 and 0.5mm

As you can imagine one's a bit too thin and the other too thick.

What's the Goldilocks zone for SS wire gauges?

Also, is it worth picking up some really fine SS so I can experiment with making some clapton wire?

 

[danb]

Also, is it worth picking up some really fine SS so I can experiment with making some clapton wire?

For SS claptons in TC, I use this:

http://www.vape-atomizer-mesh.com/p...Wire---5-Metre-Spool---10.78-Ohms-m-3311.html

28g core keeps the resistance high enough for good TC.

 

[E3Nomad]

I've used both 26awg and 28awg claptons and agree with @danb that 28awg gives the better TC. Mind you, I really like the heavier gauge in my mech squonkers, even though they have a slower ramp-up time. By the way, you really don't need SS for the wrap on a SS316 (or 304) clapton - the wrap material makes little or no difference to the coil's TC response. I wrap mine in 32awg and 34awg kanthal - easy-peasy!

 

[schlinky]

I've used both 26awg and 28awg claptons and agree with @danb that 28awg gives the better TC. Mind you, I really like the heavier gauge in my mech squonkers, even though they have a slower ramp-up time. By the way, you really don't need SS for the wrap on a SS316 (or 304) clapton - the wrap material makes little or no difference to the coil's TC response. I wrap mine in 32awg and 34awg kanthal - easy-peasy!

Thanks, it seems very simple to make your own clapton wire for pennies on the pound.

The main thing I'm interested in is which is the best gauge for everyday single coils. I'm thinking 3.8mm should be a nice middle ground....

 

[E3Nomad]

Thanks, it seems very simple to make your own clapton wire for pennies on the pound.

The main thing I'm interested in is which is the best gauge for everyday single coils. I'm thinking 3.8mm should be a nice middle ground....

I run singles in an Avocado and a Split AtIty, both about 3mm I.D. 28awg core and 0.45 ohms. They fire well and produce a great vape. You might also try twisted SS316, which I also find surprisingly good. 2-strand 26 awg comes out at around 0.3 ohms on my builds and seems about ideal for everyday use on my unregulated mechs.

 

[danb]

Thanks, it seems very simple to make your own clapton wire for pennies on the pound.

I prefer to just buy it. Less effort, and really it's not a lot of money. Even at £1/m it's nothing. For £5 you have enough to last a year at the very least. I do make my own NiFe48 claptons, but only because you can't buy it. When you see how much wrap wire is needed, it looks a lot less cheap. I went through nearly 10m of wrap wire making my first 50cm of serviceable clapton wire.... it will be cheaper when I make fewer mistakes, but still...

 

[schlinky]

I run singles in an Avocado and a Split AtIty, both about 3mm I.D. 28awg core and 0.45 ohms. They fire well and produce a great vape. You might also try twisted SS316, which I also find surprisingly good. 2-strand 26 awg comes out at around 0.3 ohms on my builds and seems about ideal for everyday use on my unregulated mechs.

Did I say 3.8mm? lol, I meant 0.38mm naturally

I might go 0.36 and 0.42 (27 and 26 gauge), then I've got a nice spread
0.3, 0.38, 0.42 and 0.5

I might also take your advice too @danb, I'm the kind of person who likes to do things themselves if I can but it makes sense to give it a whirl first.

I tried to work it out but not sure how much each coil uses, potentially it's about 10p a coil. Not sure how happy I am with dry burning so I'd work my way through that relatively quickly. Mind you £8.50 P&P seems extortionate!!!

Shipping was £2.20 last year, that's quite the increase!

Edit: Ok, it seems a lot better to buy from ebay, I could order from the site, get all the items shipped at once and pay £8.50 P&P
OR
Buy three separate items from ebay, each sent separately and pay £2.10 P&P

 

[danb]

Mind you £8.50 P&P seems extortionate!!!

Shipping was £2.20 last year, that's quite the increase!

Edit: Ok, it seems a lot better to buy from ebay, I could order from the site, get all the items shipped at once and pay £8.50 P&P
OR
Buy three separate items from ebay, each sent separately and pay £2.10 P&P

£8.50 is the international rate, are you abroad? It is too much though, that is the RM small parcel price, they could send it as a large letter for a lot less. Standard airmail is only a couple of quid. I emailed them to ask it they could do that, but no response. In the end I ordered from their ebay shop.

 

[johnr7]

I've used both 26awg and 28awg claptons and agree with @danb that 28awg gives the better TC. Mind you, I really like the heavier gauge in my mech squonkers, even though they have a slower ramp-up time. By the way, you really don't need SS for the wrap on a SS316 (or 304) clapton - the wrap material makes little or no difference to the coil's TC response. I wrap mine in 32awg and 34awg kanthal - easy-peasy!

E3Nomad

If I Clapton Kanthal on to SS should I 'peel back' the clapton at the screw or just nip on to the Kanthal?

Thanks

 

[E3Nomad]

E3Nomad

If I Clapton Kanthal on to SS should I 'peel back' the clapton at the screw or just nip on to the Kanthal?

Thanks

I don't peel back - the resistance of the kanthal where clamped in the deck is negligible and won't affect either base resistance or TCR. Good luck and enjoy!