Discontinued Lil' Bud by Vapwood

Bravesst said:

Thanks for the suggestion, but I already have a coffee can full of sliding on off switches that I just don't want to rely on for my LB to work. Not wanting to add electronics for numerous reasons, I will continue to go with the slot, but eventually figure a quick and easy way to cut it.

Always something new going on both cosmetically and functionally. My oscillating drum sander has give me more freedom with certain *rounding* operations, such as the back plate enooods, so the unit is a bit more ergonomic, but a few performance ideas are on the horizon as well. I hate giving away too much in case it just doesn't workout for whatever reason, and normally the upgrades are small.

At this point in Lil' Bud's progression, every batch evolves a bit. I just built a unit with a new switch, larger (16 vs 12mm), heavier, a bit harder to press. I'm not sure if this switch will work its way into unit's I sell, but I'm going to test it out. It may make LB even more reliable, possibly impervious even to Hulkette, or others who tend to push LB to his limits day in and day out (me).

The other performance upgrade involve the coil compartment, and making a slight change to the inside diameter, again, testing it on this new unit. One other item, I'll keep to secret for now, is about to be tested as well.

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I really like tha beefier look of tha bigger switch

@Jill NYC
Alan has recommended the two screen approach for not stirring and really even heating. I get lazy with the set up, and don't really mind a stir or two. Both screens face the same direction (basket open to the tip), the flower puck is sandwiched in between. The first screen will have to be set a bit deeper to allow room for the second screen.

I did take a step back yesterday, in order to upgrade batch 6 units to the new back plate style. I am now able to go from A to Z on the back plates in about 1/4 of the time. This is essential to keeping LB's price point steady. When pricing LB, I projected to the best of my ability, how much time it would EVENTUALLY take to build, not how long it CURRENTLY took. If I went with how long it took at the moment, the price would have been much higher in order to keep things profitable. But little by little, I've gotten more intelligent in my process, finding new ways to improve, while saving time. Almost every aspect of building LB has gotten more efficient, from coil forming, to mortise cutting, to final assembly. The original price was predicated on this happening.

Every batch gets me excited to build the NEXT batch, as I have multiple epiphanies with each build. Most of the time the discoveries are quite small - like using beeswax on the tip of my philips screwdriver to hold the small screws driven into really tight spaces. This sounds like a small thing, but once mastered it cut about 20 or 30 minutes off the final assembly process. When I first got started, I would very often think to myself that the process I was involved in should not take this long - thank God I was right.

How this will pan out is not more, but bigger batches. At this point I plan on going to a monthly batch system, kinda been doing it that way already, with batch 5 in May, 6 in June, 7 in July. Batches have been traditionally 10, but we'll bump up to 15 for now and see if I can keep up. Who knows, maybe we'll get to 20.

Thanks for the flow of updates, @Bravesst. Hope your finger is healing up okay.

Bravesst said:

At this point in Lil' Bud's progression, every batch evolves a bit. I just built a unit with a new switch, larger (16 vs 12mm), heavier, a bit harder to press. I'm not sure if this switch will work its way into unit's I sell, but I'm going to test it out. It may make LB even more reliable, possibly impervious even to Hulkette, or others who tend to push LB to his limits day in and day out (me).

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I've been mulling whether or not I should throw my in. But decided I should. I may well be in the minority, but as someone whose hands are fragile I find the idea of pressing a button down harder a bit of an issue. Holding and pressing for regular, extended periods of time is not good for tendinitis. Not good at all. I would have to limit my use of the LB. Which is disconcerting.

Might the bigger (or smaller) button be an option in the future? I understand that every vape maker, from one man operations to big factories, want their vapes to be robust. And I also understand that you are a safety first guy when it comes to on-demand, un-regulated vapes. Which I appreciate.

But if I had my druthers, I'd vote for robust and easy, and put a bit more onus on the operator to keep their vape and themselves safe from unintended self-harm.

I'll go back to vaping now.

I will have to agree about the button also. i have hand issues also. Today was the first day I could open a pack of sugar with my right hand in about a couple of months. I felt the button was a little hard to push on batch 2. It is better now. A bigger button sounds good but could also mean a bigger spring.

I understand your concern, but the difference is very slight. I probably would have been more accurate in saying the button is a tad firmer. I'm sure it has a bigger spring, but I find that it takes very little pressure to engage fully. There is a tendency to *crush* or over push the switch, which is unnecessary. I assure you, it is still a very gentle operation with very little effort required, and testing is still being performed to see if there is actually a difference in performance.

Here's some batch 6 pics, while I have 'em. The injury kept me outta the shop most of the day, a bit worse than I thought it would be. Today it feels much better, but I'm not gonna do too much. I did get to buff and polish a bit.

I am totally biased cause I have one coming from this batch, but that's the best looking bunch of Lil' Buds I've seen so far, amazing contrast from dark to light.

Congrats Mike, really looking special.

Bravesst said:

. There is a tendency to *crush* or over push the switch,

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Yup that's me, I notice it half way through my draw, then lighten up on the button.
I'd be ok with a stronger button

That is one awesome group of LBs, gonna be some real happy people soon.
Really like the more rounded soft edges on this batch

Bravesst said:

Here's some batch 6 pics, while I have 'em. The injury kept me outta the shop most of the day, a bit worse than I thought it would be. Today it feels much better, but I'm not gonna do too much. I did get to buff and polish a bit.

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Wow-just wow.

Keep those digits in good working order , Mike . you too @beyond6strings ! hope recording is going good .

I'm with @Slickwilly on the button , I crush it like a mad man who hasn't vaped in weeks and is just jonesing for a fast, hot extraction, lol . The lil' bud delivers!

I guess crushing it isn't needed and I agree that a easier squeeze button is best in order to accommodate every hands .

Batch 6 is hawt, man!

I think I recall reading it here or somewhere but can't find it, can anyone tell me the dimensions for the lil bud? Looking at different cases and want to get the right size...

Thanks!

The softer edges are the result of 2 things. First, discovering rolls of *turning* cloth backed sandpaper and spending lots of time on each unit for both prefinish and finish. The stuff comes in a roll like tape, in an assortment of 150 to 600 grit, 1 inch x 20 ft each. Still lots of hand work, but really gets the job done.

Next the limited use of an oscillating drum sander for performing certain tasks like rounding the ends of the back plates that is hard to do in any other way.

@Bdubbdiblets
LB size is approximately 98mm tall, 60mm wide, 30mm thick

As a batch 1 boy, I have to say the progression has been a joy to watch.
Mike you've really outdone yourself with this batch, and if this board is for sharing opinions, I have to chime in and say those extra dark ones are extra sexy
cheers

@G1000 Thank you!

Going from woodworker to vape builder didn't happen overnight. I had the skills, and with @Alan 's knowledge, I was able to move quickly, even at the get go. The units that led up to the first batch were built over a few months, and it was more of an electronic learning process, and adapting my woodworking skills to this modality. I didn't expect to get it all perfect, if there is such a thing, at first. I wanted a reliable, powerful, cool looking, on demand convection vape made from all wood. And that is what I produced, and we all enjoyed it.

The advances happened (continue to happen) on both fronts, function and appearance. Coils got better, connections tighter, while the switch box and battery mortise got more and more precise. Internal tweaks were followed by better finishing practices, and back and forth. Batch to batch, unit to unit, I discovered better ways to do things, while achieving better results. I guess that is the benefit of a one man operation.

What you're looking at in batch six is the culmination of never letting up, ironing out every possible issue to it is an asset. That is just the way I decided to do business. Maybe the improvements will level off, but there will always be Timbers to improve!

Finger feels much better this morning. If I wrap it nice, I can probably get back to full capacity. I need the finger tip more than anything else. I then plan on wrapping things up with batch 6 this weekend.

FYI: I just sent out an email to my waiting list, as there are 3 spots still open in July's batch.

Bravesst said:

I then plan on wrapping things up with batch 6 this weekend.

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Mike, glad the finger is better. I am working in Manhattan this weekend, as I normally do every weekend. Can't tell you how tempted I am to cross the East River so I can go pick up my QMLB in person rather than cross the hudson river and just go home to boring north jersey, lol.

Been saving some very sweet bud for the first hits off of my upcoming LB, its been tough to resist but the LB deserves a maiden voyage to remember.

So instead of going to the lumber yard for Cherry, I decided to give eBay a try. What I found was almost too good to be true. 10 pieces of beautifully grained, kiln dried, s4s, which are the perfect rough size with almost zero waste for a reasonable price. Each piece measures 11" x 2 3/4" x 1 3/8", enough for two LB's, and most of the rough work is already done. I am totally psyched for the stock I have - Walnut / Figured Walnut / Cherry / Quilted Maple / Purple Heart.

I also stocked up on drill bits and router bits, a very important part of what I do is boring / routing holes that need to be perfect. Brand new sharp bits make a huge difference.

Going to create labels, pack up orders today for batch 6. Some very nice upgrades took place on this batch and I think these 10 very special LB's are going to make some people really happy.
BATCH 6 UPGRADES
- internal battery safety tab
- rounder edges top and bottom
- rounder edges on the back plate
- coil compartment modification
There were also plenty of minor process upgrades that, in my opinion, not only saves time, effort, money, but results in a higher quality build - a win, win, win.

Zen and the Art of Lil' Bud Building
A funny thing is happening. I had a cousin who was very much a mentor to me, one of the fire chiefs who passed on 9-11. Years ago, Charlie told me about a book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and even though I never got into it then, I feel I'm getting a certain Zen with LB. Hard to explain, but when you get so familiar with something, with every tiny aspect of that thing, you live with it, breathe it, it starts to become a part of you. You understand on a very deep level not only how it works, but why. Few things are out of my control - namely what is happening inside the switch - but everything else is built by me from scratch, from raw materials - wood, wire, screws, terminals.

There is a downside to this. If something is amiss, I feel horrible. If I can't figure out something, or get something done, for whatever reason, I'm just off. Fortunately, that feeling has just about become a thing of the past, as each issue gets confronted head on, no matter how minor, and turned into an asset.

It's quite the nice feeling, probably better than actually consuming.

Batch 6 folks must be super excited , you are one zen builder , Mike ! Fresh bits will help with the Quilted and other exotics for sure ! eBay is a great source for figured grain wood indeed.

Here it is ; battery gauge video! There is no vaping in this video , I was abit high (having vaped before "the movie" hahah) so please don't mind my verbal diarrhea, my batteries aren't charged to 14.19V !

@P.A.M.
Awesome video my friend, love the overhead angle. It really shows the simplicity / accuracy of the gauge. I use mine on a regular basis.

Been trying out some new stuff. Here's a look at my latest rebuilt test unit, and a new switch I'm testing. It's actually sporting quite a few design upgrades *under the hood*. What's so great about LB is that it can be upgraded to pretty much any changes.

Really like the look of that button, looks smooth to the touch

It's been fun to follow the build process as a batch six customer and it sounds like today or tomorrow might be ship day, huh?

Bravesst said:

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That's sweet looking. And I dig the look of that button, looks sleeker. And I'm just high enough that I see a 'face' in the Lil Bud-the air holes are the eyes. A serious frog I see.

Bravesst said:

So instead of going to the lumber yard for Cherry, I decided to give eBay a try. What I found was almost too good to be true. 10 pieces of beautifully grained, kiln dried, s4s, which are the perfect rough size with almost zero waste for a reasonable price. Each piece measures 11" x 2 3/4" x 1 3/8", enough for two LB's, and most of the rough work is already done. I am totally psyched for the stock I have - Walnut / Figured Walnut / Cherry / Quilted Maple / Purple Heart.

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Awesome makes me happier I switched to cherry for mine in the next batch. Looking forward to seeing some batch 6 units. Along with a purple heart unit.

Computer issues today. Something as simple as a charging jack has shut my access to my orders down. New charger arrives tomorrow, hopefully that'll fix it. I'll be back on track tomorrow.

Not one to stay idle, I focused on batch 7 upgrades.

I've got it down to 3 switches, raised (left) completely flushed (right), flush but round (middle). On pure feel / look flush rounded is the winner. Just went to order some more flush round, might be the hardest to get. Either way, flat, or flat round, they're both sweet.