MonkeyTime
Well-Known Member
I hope both you and Alan consider yourselves pioneers in this industry.
Bringing both passion and skill to a very immature market, yet maintaining pride in what you offer is something unique.
Thank you,
MT
Discontinued Lil' Bud by Vapwood
- Thread starter Bravesst
- Start date
Bringing both passion and skill to a very immature market, yet maintaining pride in what you offer is something unique.
Thank you,
MT
So working with 12 units today, preparing everything for final assembly. Got pretty far, everything roughed out, holes drilled, ready to accept all parts, wiring. When working with this many units, there is a pre-assembly, and then a final assembly. Pre-assembly is now complete. Half of the units are fared up (sanded) to almost completion, but I just hadda break. Tomorrow is another day.
Here is the first mass batch right before final assembly.
This is also a cool view of the jig I use for cutting the mortise that forms the battery cavity. Jigs are vital to ensure consistency, doing everything exactly the same way every time, no surprises. This super simple jig makes a great hold down for numerous tasks.
Here is the first mass batch right before final assembly.
This is also a cool view of the jig I use for cutting the mortise that forms the battery cavity. Jigs are vital to ensure consistency, doing everything exactly the same way every time, no surprises. This super simple jig makes a great hold down for numerous tasks.
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P.A.M.
Vapo Rising
Joy!!! it will be an honour and privilege to own and use my lil'bud !! Even more so being (I think) part of the first batch
Can't wait 
Bye bye vapcap! You served me well but are replaceable! I have zero doubt the lil'bud will replace my vapcap M as daily driver and that it will match or exceed the power of my indoor HI log, whom I only get to savour from time to time nowadays.
Thank you, Bravesst ! You definitely are a skilled craftsman. Im sure many appreciate all you put into offering us this handcrafted gem! I do for one . Super stoked !
Can't wait Bye bye vapcap! You served me well but are replaceable! I have zero doubt the lil'bud will replace my vapcap M as daily driver and that it will match or exceed the power of my indoor HI log, whom I only get to savour from time to time nowadays.
Thank you, Bravesst ! You definitely are a skilled craftsman. Im sure many appreciate all you put into offering us this handcrafted gem! I do for one . Super stoked !
Joy!!! it will be an honour and privilege to own and use my lil'bud !! Even more so being (I think) part of the first batch
Bye bye vapcap! You served me well but are replaceable! I have zero doubt the lil'bud will replace my vapcap M as daily driver and that it will match or exceed the power of my indoor HI log, whom I only get to savour from time to time nowadays.
Thank you, Bravesst ! You definitely are a skilled craftsman. Im sure many appreciate all you put into offering us this handcrafted gem! I do for one . Super stoked !
Thank you so much... Being as fair as possible, orders will ship on first come serve basis. All paid customers (including those who just made down payments) should have their orders filled by early February, all waiting list people (who are already on the list), should get LB in their hands in early March. It is becoming easier to project turn around time.
For those considering the waiting list, I can probably handle about another dozen or so, and still make that early March deadline.
I made a bunch of changes to the website. Trying to explain what this vape is all about. Also been posting some pics on IG. Here are links to both.
WEBSITE: https://vapwood.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vapwood/
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Diggy Smalls
Notorious
Site is looking good. I like the added info on it, that's for sure. Pretty exciting stuff. I can't wait to see one of these puppies all finished.
@Diggy Smalls
I hope that can happen real soon.
I was just in communication with Alan, detailing a parts list for Lil' Bud when I realized that LB is complexity made simple. There really are only 12 parts that make a Lil' Bud, they include the wood body, switch box, lid (3), three different screws (3), contacts, wire, switch (3), coil, disk, screen (3).
To quote Einstein, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
I hope that can happen real soon.
I was just in communication with Alan, detailing a parts list for Lil' Bud when I realized that LB is complexity made simple. There really are only 12 parts that make a Lil' Bud, they include the wood body, switch box, lid (3), three different screws (3), contacts, wire, switch (3), coil, disk, screen (3).
To quote Einstein, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
Andreaerdna
If God is the answer, then the question is wrong
So refreshing to read last posts, a boost of happiness in a fucking rainy day
Assembly day, wasn't my best day in the shop. As a woodworker, assembly is always the most stressful part of any job. Right now the most challenging part of building this vape is the assembly. It's where all the connections are made, wires, wood, switch. Parts can be small, and I really don't wear reading glasses. I use those drug store magnifiers, the weakest ones I can get at 1.0. For woodworking, they got the job done.
This takes things to another level, so I made an appointment to have eye exam and get some reading glasses. I think my eye strain will diminish considerably.
Final assembly is where I have the least experience, and it was a bit slow, but got faster. I realize the only way to get really good at something is to do it over and over again. I decided to break down assembly into batches of six. Two units made it to working condition, with a 4 others right behind. Both units still need final, final finishing, and that's a cherry @Alan mouthpiece that you can order via the website. Almost all my pics are taken on pieces I built.
Cherry / Walnut with Cherry Mouthpiece on Ash Table
Two Cherry / Walnut Units on a Walnut Coffee Table
This takes things to another level, so I made an appointment to have eye exam and get some reading glasses. I think my eye strain will diminish considerably.
Final assembly is where I have the least experience, and it was a bit slow, but got faster. I realize the only way to get really good at something is to do it over and over again. I decided to break down assembly into batches of six. Two units made it to working condition, with a 4 others right behind. Both units still need final, final finishing, and that's a cherry @Alan mouthpiece that you can order via the website. Almost all my pics are taken on pieces I built.
Cherry / Walnut with Cherry Mouthpiece on Ash Table
Two Cherry / Walnut Units on a Walnut Coffee Table
P.A.M.
Vapo Rising
Bravo , @Bravesst , Bravo! On the near completion of the first units ! Wow , quite the fast turn around time, way to set the bar and lead by example for current and new builders.
Magnifier/drug store reading glasses... My father still builds acoustic guitars and buys them too! He gets his at the dollar store and keeps pairs in the shop and few rooms inside the house . (Great to have a room inside the house to work in as you setup during the cold snap ) totally made me think of my dad when you mentioned the glasses.. much respect! Good that you got an eye exam appointment, I should convince my father to do same!
I'm sooooo looking forward to receive and try my first on-demand handcrafted vape!
Other fc members, Any fellow Canadians jump on this yet?
Magnifier/drug store reading glasses... My father still builds acoustic guitars and buys them too! He gets his at the dollar store and keeps pairs in the shop and few rooms inside the house . (Great to have a room inside the house to work in as you setup during the cold snap ) totally made me think of my dad when you mentioned the glasses.. much respect! Good that you got an eye exam appointment, I should convince my father to do same!
I'm sooooo looking forward to receive and try my first on-demand handcrafted vape!
Other fc members, Any fellow Canadians jump on this yet?
TeeJay1952
Well-Known Member
My daughter Hulkette sent $50 to the cause yesterday. She kept trying to sneak my Zion out of the house and I told her to order her own "On Demand" unit.
P.A.M.
Vapo Rising
Awesome! looking forward to hear her thoughts and comparisons to the Zion ! Looking forward to hear all of others notes compared to other on demands...
I feel so lucky to not have to wait much more longer for this like some other threads, plus the feeling it will out weight the others too
Cool that other Canadians on board, i was trying to engage convo from others members, my French Canadian writing didn't make that too clear though
thanks for answering though, Bravesst. Vape On!
@Saulsaul
A small batch of walnut units will be started this weekend or early next week, and I'll post a pic asap. Right now my stock of wood stems is all cherry. If you are interested in a walnut stem, I can special order for you.
As the waiting list and down payment orders build (which is happening at a pretty brisk pace), eventually the wait will get longer. I think once the first batch is circulated, the wait will probably increase quite a bit. Now is a good time to get in line.
A small batch of walnut units will be started this weekend or early next week, and I'll post a pic asap. Right now my stock of wood stems is all cherry. If you are interested in a walnut stem, I can special order for you.
As the waiting list and down payment orders build (which is happening at a pretty brisk pace), eventually the wait will get longer. I think once the first batch is circulated, the wait will probably increase quite a bit. Now is a good time to get in line.
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Saulsaul
Member
P.A.M.
Vapo Rising
@Saulsaul
all walnut will probably look nice and stealth ..
I know I wouldn't mind the wait for the walnut body & cherry button/door combo . Pure bliss !! check it out here -
https://vapwood.com/user-guide
all walnut will probably look nice and stealth ..
I know I wouldn't mind the wait for the walnut body & cherry button/door combo . Pure bliss !! check it out here -
https://vapwood.com/user-guide
Good news... the assembly process has been tweaked a bit. From the outside, all looks the same, but the conduits for the leads coming into the battery compartment have changed a bit, making assembly much easier, and quicker. I'm ecstatic.
Lil' Buds need rest too...
Lil' Buds need rest too...
Andreaerdna
If God is the answer, then the question is wrong
I like what I see of little bud very much
I like even more your straight and humble way to do things and write about things you do.
Question
would it be possible, for next iteration (BigBud, or Bud Spencer ), to put a simple mechanic regulation in between button and heater (like the one used with basic mods)?
I like even more your straight and humble way to do things and write about things you do.
Question
would it be possible, for next iteration (BigBud, or Bud Spencer
), to put a simple mechanic regulation in between button and heater (like the one used with basic mods)?
In the light of being open, no *trade secrets*, just lots of refining and hard work, sure I'll share the process. I use a special drill bit called a reamer. It's a bit of a process to get a series of actually 4 holes to line up perfectly and create the housing for the coil, screen, and mouthpiece. This is purely @Alan 's design that he shared with me, and is what's used on the iHeat. Alan has numerous ways of creating this design, but shared this one with me.
Maybe one day a Big Bud (or even Timber) may have some more electronics on board. But right now the lightweight simplicity and high level of function is the highlight of this unit.
P.A.M.
Vapo Rising
Lil' Buds need rest too...
They all look great! Cherry bod's look neat too all finished in beeswax . Great photo with your dedication and appreciation plaque/display. Makes having a piece of your work coming my way that more special . Congratulations, Captain.
BTW, I did not make the plaque. Kind of a tradition within the FDNY to get a plaque when you retire. Makes a nice pic.
Lil' Bud Update
In bringing the last four units to completion, I am still realizing better ways to do things, albeit small, still improvements. Much of this has to do with the final assembly process. The simpler the build, the easier the final assembly, as well as disassembling and reassembling in the future for any possible repair.
I am also settled on the switch for Lil' Bud. It's a low profile on the outside, large internally, and part of the reason the build process had to change. 2 of the four units in the last pic had the low profile, button switch. It's a quality switch and really keeps the unit small, as it only protrudes about a 1/16 from the body of the unit. It is readily available, which is always a good thing, not ridiculous in price, and nice to work with. This has been a hold up that has now been resolved.
With each little challenge, a solution was found, and always ended in a needed improvement. I want every Lil' Bud that leaves my shop to be equipped with every last improvement I can possibly include. This means that my last batch of twelve bodies will probably remain just that as some of the rough openings (internally) have changed. No big deal, the wood bodies are the fast part for me as a woodworker. I prepped 8 more units this afternoon in a couple of hours, and tomorrow I'm off to the lumber yard to get some more cherry and walnut. Walnut is a bit tougher to work with in this capacity, but I plan on going to work on Walnut units with cherry as the secondary wood.
So all good news for the consumer. Still on schedule for mid February, even with the decision to change a few things last minute.
Just to mention, I had to check on shipping to Germany for a customer, and it's $25 for first class (that's an extra $15). I'm assuming most of Europe will be about that. So shipping internationally will be adjusted on a case by case basis.
Lil' Bud Update
In bringing the last four units to completion, I am still realizing better ways to do things, albeit small, still improvements. Much of this has to do with the final assembly process. The simpler the build, the easier the final assembly, as well as disassembling and reassembling in the future for any possible repair.
I am also settled on the switch for Lil' Bud. It's a low profile on the outside, large internally, and part of the reason the build process had to change. 2 of the four units in the last pic had the low profile, button switch. It's a quality switch and really keeps the unit small, as it only protrudes about a 1/16 from the body of the unit. It is readily available, which is always a good thing, not ridiculous in price, and nice to work with. This has been a hold up that has now been resolved.
With each little challenge, a solution was found, and always ended in a needed improvement. I want every Lil' Bud that leaves my shop to be equipped with every last improvement I can possibly include. This means that my last batch of twelve bodies will probably remain just that as some of the rough openings (internally) have changed. No big deal, the wood bodies are the fast part for me as a woodworker. I prepped 8 more units this afternoon in a couple of hours, and tomorrow I'm off to the lumber yard to get some more cherry and walnut. Walnut is a bit tougher to work with in this capacity, but I plan on going to work on Walnut units with cherry as the secondary wood.
So all good news for the consumer. Still on schedule for mid February, even with the decision to change a few things last minute.
Just to mention, I had to check on shipping to Germany for a customer, and it's $25 for first class (that's an extra $15). I'm assuming most of Europe will be about that. So shipping internationally will be adjusted on a case by case basis.