Transformer Tubes (Formerly Steele Concept)

Slightly Medicated · Aug 23, 2012

MarcellusWiley said:
Really sick work on those pictures. must have made yourself a great light box.

can't wait to see what you can whip up for a video!

Thanks! Actually, I did not use a light box at all. I used my video lights because they give off constant light. It is easier to work with than my mono-lights which flash. It gives me a better idea of how things are looking. I just had it sitting on my studio table with the white backdrop. I did edit out the background on the first 4 images. I thought it looked cleaner on solid white.

Tamataz · Aug 23, 2012

Excellent pictures!

Steele Concept · Aug 23, 2012

Regarding the cubes I just drop mine straight down. They bounce. I am still hesitant from old habits as well but it seems they can handle a good slam onto the steel ice catcher. I do it every time. I mean it's steel, it is strong.

SliM - I look forward to your video as well. You work magic with the camera and your YouTube channel is nice man.

It's amazing how good clean photography can really highlight a product. The difference between the old photos I used on the site and your stuff is night and day.

That OutKast song so fresh and clean plays in my head when I look at the new pics. That was a good album.

Tweak · Aug 23, 2012

Steele Concept said:
It's amazing how good clean photography can really highlight a product. The difference between the old photos I used on the site and your stuff is night and day.

^^^ This. I wish more glass web sites would at the very least allow for higher res photos to be viewed, deciding on a $300 piece of glass from a thumbnail isn't my idea of fun.

Slightly Medicated said:
I used my video lights because they give off constant light. It is easier to work with than my mono-lights which flash.

It's probably much easier to shoot the Steele Concept vs a traditional glass water pipe, too. Less reflections to worry about.

Greats shots btw, would love to see it on some plexiglass if you have some laying around,

, the 5th, 6th, and 7th photos would have been nice with a reflection of the Steele. (And why didn't you number them, :rant:

) lol, j/k

Steele Concept · Aug 24, 2012

Yeah Tweak, when viewing the pictures I was like... Wheres the reflections, or the light problems?

I'm surprised more online retailers don't do better photography for their high end stuff. This is very important if you can't see the piece in person.

Vapinghole · Aug 24, 2012

SliM's pics make it look like it's floating.

Steele Concept · Aug 24, 2012

Vapinghole said:
SliM's pics make it look like it's floating.

Hehehe it looks how you should feel if you use it right :science:

Slightly Medicated · Aug 24, 2012

Well I got the adapter in. I purchased one of those 14mm/18mm adapters so I could use VXH Cloud and other vaporizers on it.

I filled it with enough water so that a little water would slash though the ice catch holes. I put the steel cubes in the freezer overnight. I still have this urge to carefully drop in the steel cubes. I fought the urge and dropped them in.

I am really impressed. It hits nicely. The cubes really do cool things off. The vapor was noticeably cooler. I have not used ice cubes in years. It was quite pleasurable. There is a good amount of chug/percolation as well.

After the session I poured the water out and pulled the cubes out of the tube. I found a little Tupperware container to store the cubes in. I just placed them back in the freezer so they would be ready to go next time.

It is a great little piece. I look forward to storing it on my coffee table. I think it will make for a good living room piece. Without worrying about it getting knocked over as much.

One suggestion:

It would be nice if you could find a tube to store the cubes in and provide that with the unit. I found the Tupperware container that works.

Vapinghole · Aug 24, 2012

Thanks, SliM. Given your comments and Mr Steele's passion and responsiveness, I'm purchasing one.

Steele Concept · Aug 24, 2012

Awww you guys make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside lol. It means a lot to me that you enjoy it. I have literally been working 7 days a week for months to get this thing off the ground. When I see someones face light up when they feel the weight and build quality, or their reaction from using the product it just makes my day.

As with starting any business it's real tough at first. Money and time get very tight. You end up working day and night and just try to keep the bank account positive lol. When you have a burning passion for something it drives you to obsession to seek perfection in your creation.

I got back from my machinists today and he showed me the result of using finer glass media in the bead blasting process. The units will all have uniform smooth finish and will also be incredibly strong with three large welds to secure the base.

I secured my articles of organization from the state of CT and now I'm officially Steele Concept LLC.

As for the water level in the device, I like to adjust it depending on what ones preference for chug/percolation is. I like a high water level with bubbling through the lower half of the steel.

I should probably look into mueslin bags or a tube for the cubes to keep em together. Nice suggestion SliM.

Vapinghole · Aug 24, 2012

Congrats, Steele Concept, LLC!!

Tamataz · Aug 24, 2012

Congratulations! I definitely see myself buying your product in the future once I have sufficient funds!

Steele Concept · Aug 24, 2012

Thanks guys! The offer still stands on slightly scratched polycarb units for $220 shipped. I also have a few from the initial batch where the tube was sealed is slightly off kilter, I'm passing these to close friends just to try and make my money back. There is always much to learn in the first production cycle. I expect future manufacturing to be perfect and if there's ever imperfection my machinist said bring em right back. We don't think that will be an issue though.

Quality control is priority #1.

The end users deserve perfection. This is an artisinal product of love and according to Steve Jobs "Real artists ship"

hehehe I like that quote.

Slightly Medicated · Aug 24, 2012

Session two down. I just thought I would post real quick. I had to take a break from pressure washing my deck. My back was starting to hurt... time to medicate. I wanted a quick session, but the pressure washer has my hands numb. I did not want to use the glass pieces because of the numb hands. I took the Steele and filled it up using fridge water. I skipped the cubes. Two big hits later out of the cloud I am good to go. I used more water this time. I like when it is really chuggy. Overall I am still very impressed. :tup:

Steele Concept · Aug 24, 2012

Chuggy, just how I like her! Glug. Glug. Glug is how she sounds.

You are just teasing us now man, you gotta put out one of your HD vids rippin the cloud. I take it you can rest the cloud on the piece without tipping problems?

Slightly Medicated · Aug 25, 2012

Steele Concept said:
I take it you can rest the cloud on the piece without tipping problems?

I don't know. I never let the weight of the cloud rest on my pieces. I always hold the cloud in one hand. At the least, I steady it with my hand. I try and be ultra careful. It does fit well though.

Here is the setup:

That is with the 14mm/18mm attachment.

I ordered a 2nd stem that has has the multiple stems attached at the bottom. I think it adds allot of diffusion to the piece. I am happy I picked it up. I got it on a whim when I picked up the 14mm/18mm adapter. The default stem is nice, but this one feels like it reduces the drag even more.

So far, I am really digging the piece. :tup:

Steele Concept · Aug 25, 2012

Cool Slightly,

I originally was using a 5 arm diffused downstem. I wasn't satisfied with the build quality so I opted for the thick diffused downstem that comes with the SC now. Also, many dealers said the multi-arm downstems weren't as popular with the public as the straight diffused. They said customers complain about clogging and cleaning.

Yours looks pretty nice. I doubt clogging/cleaning would be much of an issue with strictly vapor users.

Slightly Medicated · Aug 26, 2012

Steele Concept said:
Yours looks pretty nice. I doubt clogging/cleaning would be much of an issue with strictly vapor users.

Exactly. I don't think I would liking it at much if I was combusing. I could see it getting clogged in 1-2 uses. It works really well for vapor though. I picked mine up for like $12.

Steele Concept · Aug 26, 2012

In addition, your 6 arm only starts at like the bottom 1/3rd of the tube instead of being the whole length. That means it will be stronger as well. $12 bucks, nice snag.

Homie · Aug 28, 2012

Good stuff, very interesting concept and I really like the reusable cubes.

OhTheAgony · Aug 28, 2012

Cool review & pictures so far SliM. Looking forward to your video as well. Would you mind leaving the original sound in & letting us hear both of your downstems please?

Sorry for the off topic, but what stem is that next to the Space Capsule's one in the picture below? Is that one of Dave's too?

Slightly Medicated said:

Slightly Medicated · Aug 28, 2012

The one on the left is a Dave stem for the underdog. The one on the right is a Ed'sTnT stem for The Cloud. I am testing it out for him.

I might make a short video where I just show the percolator action with the two stems and then just leave the audio.

I have a tip for people. The Stainless Steel is an excellent conductor of heat. If you pour in ice cold water and let it set for about 1 minute the steel sides of the tube will absorb allot of the cold. The water inside has warmed up some because it transferred it's heat to the tube. Dump that water out and get fresh cold water. Then your water inside the SS tube will stay super cold for a really long period of time.

OhTheAgony · Aug 28, 2012

Ah yes, that's where I'd seen it before.

Short video sounds great, & good tip too :tup:

I throw my glass pieces in the freezer every now & then, but you might stick to the metal if you do that with these :lol:

Steele Concept · Aug 28, 2012

Steel mouthpiece sticking could happen... "I double dog dare ya!" lol. Thanks SliM for the cooling tips, I think I'll add a HOW TO to my Website FAQ with your recommendations

I am now officially sold out. I have another lot of units on order and they should be ready in a week or two. I've been very busy setting up dealers and selling to end users.

We have dealers in CT, VT and RI. NH, ME and MA coming very soon.

I have had discussions with distributors and am considering utilizing distribution to get this product in shops all across the U.S. We will see.

Look for us in High Times December edition which comes out in October!

Thank you FC for all your support.

Tstat · Aug 28, 2012

You guys up at the Kind Connection in RI? I'd like to see one...

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