What tools you use for wrapping coils (coil jig, or metal rods, or etc.)

[jakematic]

A length of welding rod/wire - seen on the left in my vape stations post.
Practically anything of the correct diameter works.

Jigs are nice and very handy, but what if the spaghetti hits the fan and a coil breaks down when _______ ?

Then: I used to ALWAYS carry a pack and a lighter. Who knows if you're gonna be held at gunpoint in a store and need a smoke?
Now: Take your shoe off! Now! I can wrap a coil on that lace!

 

[Oiisu]

A hemostat is my most important tool, makes wrapping a good coil from the very first wrap so much easier, just clamp it on end of the wire and hang it over the drill bit or whatever I'm wrapping on

 

[Joe13]

Another vote for this: http://www.amazon.com/Artistic-Wire-Coiling-Deluxe-Jewelry/dp/B0068RQ85K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403539583&sr=8-1&keywords=artistic+coiling+gizmo

One hand keeps a constant and even tension on the wire, the other hand turns the crank. Easy peazy, and my tensioned micro coils are very symetrical and pretty. I feel it makes a noticeable difference in vape quality.

I would also echo nasca's comment above... "You don't need it." This particular device clamps to a table or workbench. Pretty nice if you have the space to dedicate to it, but it's an extra step if you need to set it up every time you need to wind a coil.

If your vape stuff gets stored in a box or a drawer, you may be better off with a hand-held jig like the ones mentioned above.

 

[PinkPanter]

A wooden spies, It is almost equal to a 2 mm screwdriver, you can let it sit and do other thingies because it weighs nothing so very useful.

 

[klynnn]

So I found the gizmo at Michaels. Cost is 7.22 with coupon in my area. I haven't used it yet but see how it could make some real pretty coils. Now to order some 28gauge kanthal. Think I am ready to try some of that fancy japanese cotton everyone talks about.

 

[dannyrl]

I have a drill bit set that I use to wrap around. No need for all these fancy tool IMO. I also use a Craftsman drill to make twisted wire when I decide to use it. And I just leave my atty on my mod while I'm building.

 

[distortoblotto]

These work for me. About 5 bucks a set on Amazon. (wire looping tool)

The small one of course.....

 

[roshier]

I always use a drill to provide stability to ehatever drill bit or rod i wrap.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[klynnn]

A lot of people have disabilities and this thing can potentially make building coils much easier for them.

 

[snackwitch]

Wow, a lot of awesome suggestions thanks everyone

 

[007shark]

I just added the Artistic Wire Coiling Gizmo to my cart on Amazon. $7.31 with free 2 day shipping (prime). I am glad I came across this thread.

 

[skimmer02]

I wrap under tension, but don't use a jig. I have a clamp/vise I use to pin one end of the wire to the edge of my desk, then wrap on a drill bit held in a vise grip, winding it toward me. Cheap, easy, works good.

 

[DingerCPA]

Amen to NealBJr's post - PATIENCE....

I'm pretty minimalistic - 1/16" drill bit, beard trimming scissors for clippping wicks, nail clippers for trimming wire and a small phillips head screwdriver for my kayfun clone.

 

[distortoblotto]

Another way around that is to pull on the legs one at a time with flat nose pliers while holding the coil and the bit. You'll save some wire in the process. (nothing with teeth as that will mar the wire)

 

[Coldrake]

So I found the gizmo at Michaels. Cost is 7.22 with coupon in my area. I haven't used it yet but see how it could make some real pretty coils. Now to order some 28gauge kanthal. Think I am ready to try some of that fancy japanese cotton everyone talks about.

That's all the same as I use.

Here's a good video showing how to use the Coiling Gizmo.



Lightning Vapes is a great place to get your rebuilding supplies. Very fast shipping too.

You can get the Koh Gen Do cotton pads at any of these places. They all have it in stock.
https://www.kohgendocosmetics.com/shopproductdetail.asp?prodID=27&catID=16
Koh Gen Do Organic Cotton Pads at DermStore
Koh Gen Do Organic Cotton Pads at Barneys.com
Pure Cotton - 60 Pads | Koh Gen Do

 

[MacTechVpr]

Another vote for this: Artistic Wire Coiling Gizmo(R) Deluxe Winder for Jewelry Making: Amazon.com

One hand keeps a constant and even tension on the wire, the other hand turns the crank. Easy peazy, and my tensioned micro coils are very symetrical and pretty. I feel it makes a noticeable difference in vape quality.

I would also echo nasca's comment above... "You don't need it." This particular device clamps to a table or workbench. Pretty nice if you have the space to dedicate to it, but it's an extra step if you need to set it up every time you need to wind a coil.

If your vape stuff gets stored in a box or a drawer, you may be better off with a hand-held jig like the ones mentioned above.

Congratulations on achieving adhesion. If you're seeing a cool dense result with more vapor, you've hit the mark. The key is adequate pulsing afterwords to ensure that alumina oxide adhesion is complete. If not, you may experience some wonkiness in resistance until that happens. That's the tip-off that adhesion may not have been uniformly perfect in the wind.

Sometimes "raking" the coil (as super_X_drifter recommended) as it sits in the coil assembly or device will jostle the coil from its unnatural state (whatever distortion was introduced in handling) back to the adhesion state (the geometry when wound). Adjustment of the legs in drippers sometimes are needed to relax the external tension energy being introduced, e.g. accordioning of the coil, top or bottom. Then resistance will settle down and you can finish pulsing it. Remember a true tensioned micro/macro/mini coil (t.m.c.) always wants to be a microcoil. I definitely need to write more about this concept.

I definitely like the jig idea as my hand skills are challenged and most definitely for thicker wire gauges. But the tactile feedback from winding with a pin vise cannot be matched by a jig. The closer the wind to the source (the spool) the more precise control you have and can feel over the geometry. A jig in that context is like trying to hit a baseball with your arms stretched out.

Best of luck to ya Joe. Tap me on the shoulder anytime.

 

[gandsr]

2.0 mm screw driver shank and 2.0 mm drill bit. Butane torch and tweezer's

 

[MacTechVpr]

2.0 mm screw driver shank and 2.0 mm drill bit. Butane torch and tweezer's

It's a good start and one I thoroughly researched as I developed tension winding.

Can be done in under 10 min's typically but ultimately you end up on the device or atomizer assembly pulsing it anyway after all that preparation and fiddly.

Why not cut the time in half?

It takes seconds to wind a perfect coil (that wants to stay a coil) on your same screwdriver. And while it's in that perfect joined state pulse it into a uniformly fused microcoil. Highest efficiency nature will permit.

That's all I'm sayin' gander. Worth a try. I did.

Good luck.

 

[Lurch]

I don't use this, but I've heard it works pretty good Artistic Wire® Coiling Gizmo® Deluxe Econo Winder

You might even be able to find it at a local craft store.

Second vote for the wire coiling winder. I use one, mainly because my wife makes jewelry and she has them in all sizes! It is a piece of cake to wrap using these...

 

[Mark Anthony]

I don't use this, but I've heard it works pretty good Artistic Wire® Coiling Gizmo® Deluxe Econo Winder

You might even be able to find it at a local craft store.

I bought and use this all the time. I bought it at Michael's and had a 40% off coupon. The deluxe version cost me less than $8.00 after the coupon and it works great.