Making Draw Tubes... Flower Quince?
- Thread starter TommyDee
- Start date
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- flowering quince
TommyDee
Vaporitor
Well now, I didn't see this coming 
$5.99 set of stainless steel straws, a tube cutter, a flame torch, a fresh quince branch, and a serious VC vape cooler is born
We'll call it an OUTER-COOLER 
...anyone got a problem with that?
With this newly found natural hardening, which greatly facilitates resizing things, I've added a new tool that is one of those gifts from heaven. Found years ago on a bike ride was a speed drill bit for flat head screws. Wouldn't you know it is .314" diameter (read: PERFECT!) and it has 4 cutters. Add to that the ability to have a pilot to square the bit. It is working wonders! The 1-day and 1-week cured pieces are well stabilized. Warp is still unknown but that too seems to have been settled at least at the 1-week mark.
$5.99 set of stainless steel straws, a tube cutter, a flame torch, a fresh quince branch, and a serious VC vape cooler is born
We'll call it an OUTER-COOLER ...anyone got a problem with that? With this newly found natural hardening, which greatly facilitates resizing things, I've added a new tool that is one of those gifts from heaven. Found years ago on a bike ride was a speed drill bit for flat head screws. Wouldn't you know it is .314" diameter (read: PERFECT!) and it has 4 cutters. Add to that the ability to have a pilot to square the bit. It is working wonders! The 1-day and 1-week cured pieces are well stabilized. Warp is still unknown but that too seems to have been settled at least at the 1-week mark.
Cheebsy
Microbe minion
I just wanted to say thanks for this fantastic thread. You're writing style is very entertaining whilst keeping lots of details. I have a lathe in my shed that I've not used for years and years, this is making me want to set it all up again, but I never did anything this delicate before preferring to turn bowls mostly.
TommyDee
Vaporitor
It is time for an update. Work and weather have been getting in the way of getting blanks in place. But I did have this one piece that has taken its set. A renewed truing cut should keep this delicate piece straight. At least, that is the theory. There is a definite 'curl' that happens when this small core diameter is set out to dry for a week or so. Should also be obvious it would do that since the core is rather asymmetrical about the outside diameter. Doesn't seem to matter if the piece is from near the ground or the end of a spire; small diameter or large. However, it appears to be fairly predictable. This will limit the slimness of the stem.
Also an update on the shrink-ends on the metal tube. I finally got the chance to test one out, the short one. Insane how much heat transfers to the stainless steel tubes. Enough to make fingers uncomfortable quickly. So that part works nice; and the wood pieces are stuck! That is a good thing. Not just snug - stuck! No signs of splitting or stress. Looking forward to the glass pieces. Also thinking 'heat-beads' near the tip. Not inside but bands shrunk to the outside for finger protection.
I am doing a daily drive on the long stem. It is an amazing piece. The hot side is unphased. Good solid pocket for the VC that swaps in and out with ease. The mouthpiece end is the real challenge when choosing a unknown species. Not for any toxicity reasons, but for how it react to saliva. This is something the Quince had already shown me clearly. The surface of the wood is somewhat unique. When you tap it with your fingernail, you'd swear its an enameled wood. However, your lips will tell you it is a velvet texture. The mouthpiece doesn't stick to your lips, nor does it slip from your lips. It doesn't stain and doesn't swell. There are glimpses of the texture being similar to fingerprints extremely fine; more evidence of this being a super fine grained wood considering its age.
Also an update on the shrink-ends on the metal tube. I finally got the chance to test one out, the short one. Insane how much heat transfers to the stainless steel tubes. Enough to make fingers uncomfortable quickly. So that part works nice; and the wood pieces are stuck! That is a good thing. Not just snug - stuck! No signs of splitting or stress. Looking forward to the glass pieces. Also thinking 'heat-beads' near the tip. Not inside but bands shrunk to the outside for finger protection.
I am doing a daily drive on the long stem. It is an amazing piece. The hot side is unphased. Good solid pocket for the VC that swaps in and out with ease. The mouthpiece end is the real challenge when choosing a unknown species. Not for any toxicity reasons, but for how it react to saliva. This is something the Quince had already shown me clearly. The surface of the wood is somewhat unique. When you tap it with your fingernail, you'd swear its an enameled wood. However, your lips will tell you it is a velvet texture. The mouthpiece doesn't stick to your lips, nor does it slip from your lips. It doesn't stain and doesn't swell. There are glimpses of the texture being similar to fingerprints extremely fine; more evidence of this being a super fine grained wood considering its age.
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TheThriftDrifter
Land of the long vapor cloud
Diggy Smalls
Notorious
I'm enjoying this thread too. Very cool. I would totally do this if I had the materials, but I lack all of them. Lol
I like the metal stem with wooden ends. Very cool
I like the metal stem with wooden ends. Very cool
TommyDee
Vaporitor
Welcome to the thread @Diggy Smalls .
Diggy Smalls
Notorious
Thanks. Been lurking for a while now
Diggy Smalls
Notorious
Sure do
TommyDee
Vaporitor
I wanna send you a xmas card... to test the USPS equipment tolerance for 10mm thickness. PM me your address and I'll see if it gets through for a stamp. The colored 7.7gr, 144mm metal stem above can be the test case. It is well dried and stable. Only test-fit to a new VC - never used. If it finds its way back here, I'll mail it first class.
I'm assuming you have a VC or two
I'm assuming you have a VC or two
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Diggy Smalls
Notorious
Thanks! Totally sweet! I use my vapcap regularly and have even given a few away to friends to get them into vaporizing the herb.
TommyDee
Vaporitor
The mailman didn't razz me so it will be at your end before end next week @Diggy Smalls .
Also got several fresh blanks started.
Also got several fresh blanks started.
TommyDee
Vaporitor
Well now, this worked out nicely.;
Maybe a little retro but it is purposed functional in that is has the stainless condenser but more importantly, it has 'coolgrip' in that there is a gap between the tube and the handle. The mouthpiece is similarly treated. The tube is maybe 90mm long? I forgot to measure it. The stem length is 106.3mm and overall length is 136.2mm. This is where I'm headed with the glass stems when they get here.
Another thing I am becoming aware of is the heat transfer from the VC. I run the IH and it cooks the bowl as well as the cooling section. Therefore I notice the heat depending on where I hold the stem. My DD, the long stem, has gotten quite warm with a full session, but only near the VC. The Quince is holding up beautifully through the heat. But I wanted to put it out there as that really is part of choosing a style. That little stem in the image after turning is definitely a micro-dosing stem. I think it has @TheThriftDrifter name all over it. @Planck - with this knowledge, I'll get a read on what you prefer. I have 4 blanks ready to turn and 4 to pick a style direction from. Lets start with prefer length of the stem +/- a cm.
Maybe a little retro but it is purposed functional in that is has the stainless condenser but more importantly, it has 'coolgrip' in that there is a gap between the tube and the handle. The mouthpiece is similarly treated. The tube is maybe 90mm long? I forgot to measure it. The stem length is 106.3mm and overall length is 136.2mm. This is where I'm headed with the glass stems when they get here.
Another thing I am becoming aware of is the heat transfer from the VC. I run the IH and it cooks the bowl as well as the cooling section. Therefore I notice the heat depending on where I hold the stem. My DD, the long stem, has gotten quite warm with a full session, but only near the VC. The Quince is holding up beautifully through the heat. But I wanted to put it out there as that really is part of choosing a style. That little stem in the image after turning is definitely a micro-dosing stem. I think it has @TheThriftDrifter name all over it. @Planck - with this knowledge, I'll get a read on what you prefer. I have 4 blanks ready to turn and 4 to pick a style direction from. Lets start with prefer length of the stem +/- a cm.
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Planck
believes in Dog
95mm is what I wish the XL's where so 105 +- a CM.
Style wise I really like these two with a slight preference for the second image I think. They are both excellent though.
TheThriftDrifter
Land of the long vapor cloud
TommyDee
Vaporitor
It's the lightest uncarb'd stem for your DV VC not commercially available ever. It comes in at a featherweight of 2.3 grams and is 87.5mm long. This was one of the 'cured' blanks. I'm also saying that a full cap session would overheat the stem and be uncomfortable to hold. Therefore, a Titanium cap with a CCD set in the shallow position would make for a nice little micro-vaporizer.
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Planck
believes in Dog
TheThriftDrifter
Land of the long vapor cloud
Believe it or not I don't have a ti tip yet.
I love the shape of these two.
TommyDee
Vaporitor
A 1/3-load stainless steel cap will work just fine 
That top one is one I will try to send via postcard. Waiting to see if @Diggy Smalls xmas card made it to him without a fuss.Your second choice is becoming the standard bearer of the shapes... I consider it a quill stem for lack of knowing better. Got a preferred length in mind?
TheThriftDrifter
Land of the long vapor cloud
Your second choice is becoming the standard bearer of the shapes... I consider it a quill stem for lack of knowing better. Got a preferred length in mind?
100mm or so I reckon for me.
