Can you use silica wick in something like the Kayfun Lite or Kayfun 3.1?

[Traijan]

Hi,

Just wondering if there is any adverse affects from using silica wicking cord in something like the kayfun Lite or kayfun 3.1 etc.

I can't stand cotton, I've tried the natural, organic, and even boiling it all but there is a distinct taste when I've used cotton that just makes me feel sick when vaping, where as I don't have any problems with the silica wicks that come in prebuilt coil heads so I'm wondering if there would be any problems, (dry hits, flooding etc) if I were to use a silica wick with a rebuildable atomizer such as the Kayfun atomizers.

If there is problems using silica wicks in RDA/RBA's then is there another alternative to the cotton?

Thanks

 

[stevegmu]

There is a US company which makes very high end silica specifically for vaping, but I can't think of their name...
There is also a Alpaca fiber, which is tasteless, more heat resistant than cotton or rayon and wicks extremely well...

 

[AzPlumber]

Yes, it's all I use if I drag out the Kayfun. I hated changing my cotton or rayon wicks so often. Just make sure it's true silica and not some fiberglass someone is trying to pass off as silica. Put a flame to it, if it burns or melts don't use it.

 

[AzPlumber]

There is a US company which makes very high end silica specifically for vaping, but I can't think of their name...
There is also a Alpaca fiber, which is tasteless, more heat resistant than cotton or rayon and wicks extremely well...

Are you referring to ready x wick? Good stuff

 

[stevegmu]

Yes, I believe that is the company...

 

[AzPlumber]

Silica is a bit tricky to use if not familiar with it. It's difficult to wick after the coil is made but not impossible. You can use a smaller diameter and double it over using a piece of kanthal to catch the loop and pull it through the coil.

Or, you can wrap the coil around the wick. It's easy to choke the wick when wrapping your coil around it so I use a straightened paperclip along with the silica. This allows you to wrap a tight coil but gives the wick plenty of room after removing the paperclip.

 

[Bassnorma]

Silica Wick RTD Vapors

I have never used it but AZ has.....AZ...does that link look like good silica to you?

 

[porkchopbun]

I believe youtube reviewer VapinGreek has the same problem as you with cotton

 

[MrPlink]

Kayfun was actually designed for silica.

That said, I would recommend you try Rayon (aka Cellucotton).

Performs and outlasts cotton and is stupid cheap. Won't outlast silica per se, but wins on every other level.

 

[stevegmu]

From what I have read about rayon and the chemicals it is generally treated with, there's no chance I would use it to soak up liquid I would then heat and inhale, unless it wicks like a champ, then I'd be all over it...

 

[unholypassion84]

I'm using braided silica in my Kayfun as I type... I prefer it over cotton for the same reason OP.

 

[crxess]

One of the most knowledgeable Kayfun users I've seen.
Check build about 12 minutes in. Simple and effective

 

[tchavei]

If the man wants to use silica then silica it is.

As stated, kayfun was made for silica so no reason it can't work.

The only problem is that most people do freehand coils on it to get the contact perfect between the coil and the wick. It's works ok but looks messy. On the other hand, if you make nice looking full contact coils, there is a great chance you won't wick it properly with silica and get dry hits.

I used silica for some time in a kayfun and it was almost as good as a rayon setup.

If I were to be left on a abandoned Island for 3 weeks with just a mod, a kayfun and unlimited supply of batteries and juice, I would choose a 28g coil with an Ekowool (silica) wick.


Regards
Tony

Sent from my GT-I9195 through Tapatalk

 

[tchavei]

Here the technique

Tchavei's method

There is an inherent problem with silica wicks: you either make a freehand coil which sticks perfectly on the silica but have to live with a not so neat looking coil or you do an assisted coil but then you have a problem wicking it properly.


I did a lot of experiments in this area and ended up using a mix of different wicking and coiling methods that, when combined, produce almost a perfect vape it's really not far away from rayon.

The trick is to make an assisted coil (.3 kanthal, id 2.5mm) and then use the hot vape sandwich method to wick the coil butterfly style.

The following was made directly on a coil because I didn't want to ruin my beautiful build on my kayfun so if someone wants to make the same, he obviously should mount the coil on the deck first. It's easier.

1. Tools used:

- torch (for the coil)
- hex driver 2.5 mm to assist coil making

- 10-12 cm Ekowool 2mm hollow
- same size kanthal A1 0.3 mm
- piece of 3-4cm kanthal piece


2. Wick the coil tightly after you pre burned it:

3. Heat the coil and compress it further with a pair of tweezers until it's compacted:

4. Your coil should look like this:

5. Bend Ekowool at 1/4 and use kanthal piece as guide :

6. Start pulling it through the coil:

7. Now the trick people don't want to share... Bend the longer end like this:

8. Insert the end close to the coil sandwiched between the two strands:

9. Gently pull the sandwich through the coil until you see the end appearing on the other side:

10. Pull the end further out and distribute the Ekowool evenly to have a butterfly shape:

That's all... Now you would pull on the ends to adjust the size of each loop so it doesn't go over the flow channels and then you cut off the ends near the coil so you're left with just a loop on each side

Regards
Tony

Sent from my GT-I9195 through Tapatalk

 

[system60]

Awesome just what I was looking for. Just got my first kayfun last week and love it, but having to rewick the cotton twice already is a PITA.

 

[edyle]

Hi,

Just wondering if there is any adverse affects from using silica wicking cord in something like the Kayfun Lite or Kayfun 3.1 etc.

I can't stand cotton, I've tried the natural, organic, and even boiling it all but there is a distinct taste when I've used cotton that just makes me feel sick when vaping, where as I don't have any problems with the silica wicks that come in prebuilt coil heads so I'm wondering if there would be any problems, (dry hits, flooding etc) if I were to use a silica wick with a rebuildable atomizer such as the Kayfun atomizers.

If there is problems using silica wicks in RDA/RBA's then is there another alternative to the cotton?

Thanks

Of course.
Sometimes when you buy a rebuildable it may come prewrapped with silica wicked coil.

 

[tchavei]

Rayon lasts me around 70ml of juice before really needed a rewick.
I personally prefer rayon now but there is one thing I get with silica / Ekowool that I can't get with rayon or cotton... It's the repeatability of the build and the vaping result. It's predictable.

If I make two coils at 2.5mm with the same 2mm Ekowool made in the same butterfly shape, they will both taste and vape exactly the same.

With rayon or cotton you never can repeat exactly the same density no matter how you try and there will be subtle differences among different builds.

Regards
Tony

Sent from my GT-I9195 through Tapatalk

 

[AzPlumber]

Silica Wick RTD Vapors

I have never used it but AZ has.....AZ...does that link look like good silica to you?

Yes RTD sells quality silica

 

[slyphex]

Almost every RTA was designed with silica wick in mind. Cotton wicking is just very popular in the US.

I don't like silica because it sheds everywhere. I do use Ekowool however, and it's perfectly fine to use in a Kayfun.

tchavei's pictorial is spot-on, especially if you want clean looking coils.