Discontinued The Timber Elite by Vapwood

Bravesst

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Manufacturer
Hey All,

The fire button stays with the LB form, as well as works better with the design. Quite a nice feature is to keep the screen facing you, thumb on button. I find I can fly through options from hit to hit this way, and my hand doesn't block the screen. The battery cover plate makes a nice finger rest. I've been using it this way more often than not. When I flip the unit, I can use middle, ring, or pinky finger, even index if that's your thing. The unit is nice and light weight as well, easy to hold with just a few fingers.

The switches are responsive with @Alan 's custom actuator buttons, and require very little pressure, but definitely not mushy. The weight increase is minor because of how hollowed out the unit is. One day I'll break down a unit and tape it, vs showing an assembly. Quite a lot going on inside every Elite.
 

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Prototype #2 - just built, didn't get to flip the screen yet. I've been testing it. The plate is fastened to the unit with #2 screws, which will most likely change. A couple of changes went into effect, wiring config, coil mounting to name a couple. So many variables it is hard to make off the cuff observations, but we have another winner. The final unit that I release will be result of probably quite a few of these prototype builds. Testing is a bit more complicated than with the Classic. I may be testing this unit myself for a bit, before sharing with @Alan.

20190131-064925.jpg
 

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
I needed this bad...
20190131-153300.jpg

A quick and easy way to test a board, screen, wiring, and how it functions with a coil (there's a real coil in there), before AND after it's mounted to the cover plate. This keeps any issues compartmentalized for much easier problem solving - really important at this stage. Now I can wire up, install a screen and test multiple boards.

Today I'm going to form some coils as I wait for even more coils and buttons.

Quick word on testing. I've been working in TC mode, actually watching the graph, learning to feather the button a bit. There are 2 ways to use TC, with and without temp protection. I've been playing around with both, endless combinations of controls with temp, watts, ohms, preheat, punch, but the end result is I'm getting some really fast, tasty, hits, and I'm able to milk each bowl down to nothing.
 
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Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Busy, busy, busy... Lots to learn, tweak, adjust, build, and on two fronts - design and programming. I'm doing the work so you don't have to. I think it's time to share, and prototype # 2 sets sail to Denver on Monday, as I set about building a unit with a combination cover plate (stock cover plate married to a custom plate) - if that's possible. Stay tuned!
 

oddjobold

Vape swap shop
Busy, busy, busy... Lots to learn, tweak, adjust, build, and on two fronts - design and programming. I'm doing the work so you don't have to. I think it's time to share, and prototype # 2 sets sail to Denver on Monday, as I set about building a unit with a combination cover plate (stock cover plate married to a custom plate) - if that's possible. Stay tuned!

Do u mean a wood cover plate on top of something shop brought?

Could be the best of both worlds.
 
oddjobold,
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Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Holy Fucking Shit! The replay feature, which was hidden in the international software (not sure why), is the game changer I was looking for. Once you dial in, you can just replay the same *puff*. It works well with our SS coil, a vital part of this. And it's very easy to set up, and change on the fly, just like all their software.

I did a lot of reading on this today. People are confused at TC and replay. Replay works best in wattage mode, but it does repeat the hit exactly - including temp. I love, love, love this feature, as do many with DNA75c equipped mod. The US firmware doesn't include replay, so it took me a few days to find it.

This makes the Elite a true game changer.
 

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
More On Replay Mode
When I first downloaded the Escribe software, of course I selected US edition, but after reading about it, the international (with service pack update) comes with the replay feature. A lot of people get confused because, while they are trying to control the temp, it works best in Wattage Mode (firmware calls is Replay mode). As long as the coil material changes ohms with temp changes, it will work.

The hit is saved, that is, right after a puff in wattage mode, you're given the option of SAVING with just a simple click. Next time your press the button, the unit will fire to the exact same level in wattage, temp, resistance, punch, blah, blah, blah. You don't even have to know what any of that is (just power). Simple as pie, but pretty much the most advanced thing a portable dry herb vape can do. It's an easy process.

Put in a fresh load (it still can't reload for you - not yet). Select watts. Press fire button and pull. When you get a really good hit (all settings right, draw right), click SAVE (right on the same screen). Until you hit CANCEL, the same profile with replay when you hit the fire button. The unit will display a big green PLAY. It's actually quite ingenious.

Now *playing*, my last hit...
20190203-065959.jpg


coupon code: ELITIST saves $30
 
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Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
The jury is still out on Koa as a cross grained bottom cap. The grain is interlocked and might be prone to a late game ding of some kind. I really need stability here, and it seems the big 3, Cherry, Walnut, Hard Maple, deliver. The good news is when you turn the grain, you get end grain on each side. End grain not only looks different, but will darken down, especially in Cherry and Walnut, really deeply with beewax, especially the way I apply it. My current unit is Maple with a Cherry bottom cap that has gotten quite dark, like a deep brown. The walnut might get close to black, like the Koa.

I did some work all around today. I got nice head start while I wait on some supplies. Now that I'm confident in my specs, I was able to take 15 units to pre-assembly, fully roughed out for battery and board, with coil chamber and taper perfectly cut. I even drilled out for magnets and built back plates. Now I've got to go to work on assembling boards to cover plates with functional buttons, and finish off another batch of coils.

This week, I'm also going to finish off a few Classic orders slated to ship in February. The awesome, newly released, replay feature has me excited to get some Elites shipped as well.
 

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Good morning future Elitists, it's gonna be an interesting week. The separation of the Elite body / bottom cap / back plate into one modular unit, and the cover plate / board / buttons as another, is what I envisioned the Elite to be. By compartmentalizing each complicated task, I am able to achieve a much higher level of quality for each. It's like building a house, if something is outta square / plumb, you will chase that mistake around the whole structure.

The separation of board and body simplifies a lot of things, and allows the true power of each to shine through. After a bit more testing, a few tweaks, and getting more familiar with the software, I should be able to start serious building.
 

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
It's official, the first Elite prototype has shipped. @Alan should get a nice little package in the mail on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to his take on the board and coil housed together, without the need for a mod. This project came together pretty quick, as most of the work was done by Evolv. They made the complex, simple. There are a few small things to figure out, and work to be done, but we can all take a deep breath.

While those who love to tinker, will love every drop of the DNA 75c driven Elite, minimalists will also be amazed at how user friendly and intuitive the Elite is at giving you a perfect, and repeatable, puff. The computer software does take things to another *geek* level, but is far from necessary. And compared to the Classic, it is a little pricey, and quite a bit more work, but given the performance of the final product, worth every drop.

I'm about to get another prototype built, and there's another 15 or so pre-assembled. A couple of issues with end grain tear out (one with maple and one with walnut). It's seems Cherry is tops when it comes to the bottom cap. Cherry also has real nice end grain, almost looks like a different wood - it'll work out well.

A couple of cover plate adjustments and the unit should be ready in a day or two. I need to be able to bring this unit to just about perfect, and then I'll give myself the green light. Next batch will be several cosmetically perfect units that will go out to the first customers. Not really prototypes, but these will be the first units put into people's hands other than the builder and designer.
 

HerbieVonVapster

Well-Known Member
Replay works best for those that enjoy using a DNA device sole and enjoy getting the same hit at same temperature using the same draw speed.

Doesn't do that great if you enjoy stepping up temperatures or are passing unit around in a group where everyone doesn't use the same draw speed.

I did spend some time comparing them in device manager and personally feel I got the better performance in TC for my type of use.

Some swear by (replay) and with 8 profiles plenty on space to have muti options.
 

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Replay works best for those that enjoy using a DNA device sole and enjoy getting the same hit at same temperature using the same draw speed.

Doesn't do that great if you enjoy stepping up temperatures or are passing unit around in a group where everyone doesn't use the same draw speed.

I did spend some time comparing them in device manager and personally feel I got the better performance in TC for my type of use.

Some swear by (replay) and with 8 profiles plenty on space to have muti options.

Options are endless, Replay, Preheat, Punch, Wattage, Ohms, and of course all the standard LB variables of load, pack, draw speed, makes for one versatile vaporizer. Think about what we have here. This is just an observation, but even though I love the board, it's temp sensing is of the *coil*, not the herb. In a convection vape, I believe the heat source needs to be higher than the actual herb temp. Looks like I'm getting nice results at what looks like 550 F on the graph, with temp set at 600 and watts 30. I find the resistance is really important, had to bump it up to 35 to avoid the temp protection feature. You can easily see that temp and resistance go hand in hand. When I bump resistance down to 32, in an effort to control temp, I get the temp protection warning. At these numbers, I have to be AWARE of combustion, and modify my breath a bit, but the size of the hit is off the freaking chart, and it's worth the trade off of not being able to combust no matter what. It's like I let my breath make the final decision how far to go. You can see why I want to get these out there and hear the feedback, discoveries. I'm pretty sure my personal VAS is at bay.

This is an honest statement, from a 40 year cannabis user. I'm enjoying vaping like I've never enjoyed vaping before. I really didn't think it would be such a huge improvement over anything else, and I really can't wait until I perfect every aspect and start selling to lots and lots of people.

1. DNA75 Color state of the art vaporization control
With this technology, a reliable session of powerful hits, or little sips, is assured. Keep an eye on battery life or just vape plugged into the computer. Keeping an eye on your hits. Enjoy the built in safety shut off (that you can program any way you want). If you so dare, download the Evolv software and connect the Elite to your computer. While most of these stats, controls, are also available on the unit itself, it's super easy to navigate around the computer, making every possible adjustment on the fly. I'm actually hooked up right now. I'm on SS 316 (which our monster coil is), TC, 400 without temp protection, at 28 watts, and I'm on replay. But yes, sometimes you wanna change up the hit. I can do that with one hand, just my thumb, in 3 clicks.

2. Alan's Coil
Not much to say here but wire mesh coil has a chance to really excel in this form. The power of an 18650 Li Ion battery and a half inch tall coil is pretty amazing, and what allows for instant vaporization of dry flower. Now you can watch the technical specs of your coil (which never needs to be replaced) as it performs, being measured in real time. That is a pretty amazing feat in and of itself, never mind the INSTANT, on demand, super tasty hits this bad boy will deliver.

3. My Woodworking Skills
I went from furniture building to vape making, and the transition went like a well fitting dovetail joint. Right from the start, every Lil' Bud improved both functionally, and aesthetically with every batch I produced. The Elite had a big advantage of a year plus of Classic building, where I had a chance to hone my skills, prep my shop, and take this design and my techniques as far as possible. I figured out what worked (and what didn't), and have ultimately come up with an all wood, on demand, temp and power regulated, pure convection vape for dry herb that is both beautiful to look and hold in your hand. Like a miniature piece of fine furniture, each unit is worked to shear perfection. With the completion of each unit, I'm amazed at how *finished* LB's look when they leave my shop. But it's no wonder why, each unit has had hours of hand finishing by the time it ships.

So, with that said, I'm going to stay focused, keep on track, and keep building. Pics of prototype #3 to follow soon. Let's hope that's the green light unit!
 
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Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
What an effing day in the shop. I had a couple of appointments after the I hit the gym this morning (back in the gym, yay!), but wound up with 4 good hours of shop time. As you all know, I've got 15 pre-assembled Elites that look like they will make the final cut, and will be finished and put back on the final build assembly line. I may take a couple and convert to Classics (minor error on the Elite side, but still perfect otherwise).

The Elites bodies, bottom cap, are pretty set in stone. I don't expect any surprises as 2 units are functioning really well with the same basic specs. The wiring is worked out, as is the build process. What I'm working on is perfecting the cover plate, which includes all the processes involved in building the cover plate, attaching the board, as well as attaching the cover plate to the unit.

I never thought I'd be able to be so accurate, so small, but it's actually not that difficult with the x / y axis vice as well as some really cool (and simple) shop made router jigs. That is the essence of the Elite, the housing of the board, and integration into a custom wood plate. Tomorrow morning, my first job is to build another prototype, and try and make it work with stock buttons. Nice to have options.
 

DirtyD

Well-Known Member
Mike I'm so jazzed you're getting this dialed in. Super interesting to see the development step by step for both vapes. Thanks for letting us know all angles of the processes. Really cool to follow along, thanks and I'm watching eating the popcorn.
Cheers, D.
 

HerbieVonVapster

Well-Known Member
Options are endless, Replay, Preheat, Punch, Wattage, Ohms, and of course all the standard LB variables of load, pack, draw speed, makes for one versatile vaporizer. Think about what we have here. This is just an observation, but even though I love the board, it's temp sensing is of the *coil*, not the herb. In a convection vape, I believe the heat source needs to be higher than the actual herb temp. Looks like I'm getting nice results at what looks like 550 F on the graph, with temp set at 600 and watts 30. I find the resistance is really important, had to bump it up to 35 to avoid the temp protection feature. You can easily see that temp and resistance go hand in hand. When I bump resistance down to 32, in an effort to control temp, I get the temp protection warning. At these numbers, I have to be AWARE of combustion, and modify my breath a bit, but the size of the hit is off the freaking chart, and it's worth the trade off of not being able to combust no matter what. It's like I let my breath make the final decision how far to go. You can see why I want to get these out there and hear the feedback, discoveries. I'm pretty sure my personal VAS is at bay.

Yes the setting with the DNA C chip really are endless. Sounds like your locking resistance ohms? When you say temp protection feature i'm a little confused. When using TC mode is it throttling the power when hitting the set temperature or is it dropping out of TC mode and cutting power?

Changing or adjusting material file or using wrong one or setting the coil ohm resistance incorrectly can affect and cause it to drop out of TC mode.

316 material file runs on the cool side for are use. Mike if you haven't please check out the video below there are some graphs charts a 1:13 mins mark that are really helpful. I been using his 316L material file as a base since it is closer to the correct coil temperature.

Of course the stem distance from coil the screen along with draw speed will all effect the actual temperature of whats being vapped. Adjusting the material file is possible but effects the wattage needed causing other issues. It can get rather complicated the more you get into it. Video is well worth watch and does really helps connect the dots. Since this video i think the preheat issue he discussed has been fixed.



 

HerbieVonVapster

Well-Known Member
Looks like we're gettin' the band back together, Herbie !

Yep I have updated escribe and installed new firmware on my current DNA mods. Should have a new iheat and the elite prototype soon. Can't wait to see what that bad boy can do! Started messing with theme, settings and battery cvs preparing for the testing tweaking stage when it arrives.

Been an exciting ride watching it all come together. Think it's going really take off once people see the performance aspect and size of unit.
 

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Yep I have updated escribe and installed new firmware on my current DNA mods. Should have a new iheat and the elite prototype soon. Can't wait to see what that bad boy can do! Started messing with theme, settings and battery cvs preparing for the testing tweaking stage when it arrives.

Been an exciting ride watching it all come together. Think it's going really take off once people see the performance aspect and size of unit.
You're gonna have a ball with this. It's literally a *no brainer* for either simplicity or complexity. It just makes a good hit / session easier to be had. Another aspect is battery and weed efficiency. It seems like it is kinda intuitive to gradually bring the session from gentle to powerful, thereby enjoy every phase of the herb as it transitions from flower to ABV. The battery is never wasted (overused) and I can routinely take my batts down to 350 with no noticeable performance loss. The Elite is like the Classic's big brother (actually not a bad name), who has vast experience, and just knows how to do everything perfectly. Yeah, he's a half inch wider and 2 mm's taller, pretty typical for a big brother.

Today I learned a few things, but prototype #3 done - with stock buttons. The plate needs to be thinner by about 1 mm to accommodate the short stock button shaft, but the flange works well with no changes. This is the green light unit -if all tests positive, and so far so good (except for the cover plate attachment is still up in the air). After a few pain in the ass issues (found simple fixes) I learned a few important things about wire length / bends and just neat configuration of inside the bottom cap. I love the way the 14 mm deep mortise allowed more clearance, and I think this will result in a cooler board (always good to keep the board cool). I am still working on the best way to attach the cover plate, and plan to revisit the original plan. I have a feeling it will work with some better preparation.

I feel like it's just about time to start producing that first round of units, but I need still need to flush out some minor BS first, and and make the process a bit more routine. I'm still working a bit too hard to do my absolute best work. Soon. A few more things to be totally nailed down.

As far as the board and function in this form, it's actually more than I expected. It's as if the board was made for LB and a wire mesh coil. Either way, it excels at managing LB's raw power, upgrading to quite the sophisticated vaping experience. With so much to adjust, thank God it works well many different ways, and never frustrates. It's actually hard to get a bad hit.

Testing the Elite does not feel like work, it just performs with very little effort on my part. And my product is lasting much longer than when testing the Classic, many, many more low temp hits.
 

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Another big day in the Elite shop, especially when it comes to wiring up the board and installing the screen, which a very delicate task. Over the last few months, I've dealt with issues here, and I've worried this might be a sticking point for me. I had a few casualties (pretty expensive to wreck a board) early on, and knew I needed to master the board wiring or there'd be no Elite.

Today, I managed to wire up and install screens on six boards, and all tested perfect with zero issues. I've actually gotten quite good at it. Sometimes, it turns out, the board and / or screens are defective, or were damaged during first few assemblies. I had to start someplace. Very easy to bend the screen ZIF connector and turn it into a piece of junk, or even wreck the little tab that it locks into on the board (worse because it destroys the entire board vs just the screen). Luckily screens are available for sale, and sold separately pretty cheap. I can replace a screen at any time down the road relatively easily.

So, without realizing it, mass production has started. Got a dozen or so bodies in pre-assembly, and six boards all wired up with screens, and tested with no issues. I've got like 10 coils formed and cover plates are about to happen once again. After all that is done, ther's not much left to do but final assembly.
 
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