Recyclers - Discussion and Appreciation

PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
I can't help much because I don't own one, but my suggest is grab a mirror and hit your local lhs and test out a couple recyclers with just water. See what they do and how. Cheap one have the look, but may not function well.

Designs like Earl Jr are top notch in that price range. I have two recyclers that were under $300 that preform well, but they were around $250. I also have a couple over $500 that work so so, but they are headies.

If you can try a Hamm you can see what makes a recycler good.
 

JoeKickass

Well-Known Member
I don't know... I used to think it was all about the visual show, in fact I can quote myself:
I agree completely, I don't see the point of one that doesn't spin the water into a tornado, the cooler the vortex the better the recycler IMO

But eventually I conceded the fancy one's were outside my budget, and instead bought something that wasn't:
ytH43ZV.jpg

Check out his latest work :cool:
ryNxDQW.jpg


kgQ3icA.jpg


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ytH43ZV.jpg


91sGBJY.jpg


Q4CI6Hp.jpg


(colie has a better camera than me, but it looks just those bright color pics in full sunlight :tup:)

You can see it doesn't actually "whirlpool" so much as spin bubbles in a line (I use more water now too):

But it totally gives you that recycler-chug, and has all the cooling and flavor characteristics that a recycler should!

Having only tried this one I still feel I can say I love recyclers. I've never used a piece that cools so effectively for the size, so don't be afraid to buy a sovereignty-style recycler that doesn't spin, because it will still be a new experience and a perfect piece for concentrates!
 

PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
I don't know... I used to think it was all about the visual show, in fact I can quote myself:


But eventually I conceded the fancy one's were outside my budget, and instead bought something that wasn't:
ytH43ZV.jpg



You can see it doesn't actually "whirlpool" so much as spin bubbles in a line (I use more water now too):

But it totally gives you that recycler-chug, and has all the cooling and flavor characteristics that a recycler should!

Having only tried this one I still feel I can say I love recyclers. I've never used a piece that cools so effectively for the size, so don't be afraid to buy a sovereignty-style recycler that doesn't spin, because it will still be a new experience and a perfect piece for concentrates!
Got to respect that. Only one aspect of a recycler is the whirlpool. Another is the time the vape spends with the water aka temp modification. I say that because I have tried the water at warmer temps and its quite nice on cold days :). Another is the look and finally for me the splash back is typically less.

Downside, some more drag.

For me it don’t have to whirlpool. I use that term loosely. It has to do something interesting in the return path. My $1600 Mothership Torus doesn’t really whirpool. Internals so far are 50-50 for me on that, but the temp modification is great.

All my Klein recyclers are awesome for looks as the externals like Hamm, Sheldon Black, Jedeye, Robin Hood, Van Tran etc.
I think actually the Kleins work the best for the size on conditioning. There is more path distance for the water to travel based on the extra tubing and besides just watching the water flow is cool to me.

If you really want to enjoy the “look” install a mirror otherwise only your friends really enjoy the visual. The user enjoys the result and you acquire a visual of the water in the external tubes.

Again go to your LHS, hand mirror in hand and study a few. See the difference and develop your tatses. Since you are not really vaping you can really watch and see what grabs ya. Make it personal. In time you will change to, but you will always like it. You just like more as your experience grows. This stuff has more science than one normally would think. Many variables involved. The perc alone changes everything, more typically doesn't mean better on visual. It affects the flow because it creates more turbulence. You will begin to appreciate the thought and workmanship the blowers put into these.

Even though not a recycler those rigs Hitman is posting on Instagram are killing me. Built in glass torch setup to heat the nail. Talk about cool. Fill the pipe with butane, throw in some water and a nail. Light it and away you go.



I have a custom Collie on order. I believe the can/body will be similar, but some heady work. I am sure I’ll love it, but my directions to Andy were vague - I want their design, not mine.
 

turdhole

vagabond
i've tried the bigger sheldon black recycler with the fixed mouthpiece and it has very little drag or chug to it. quite deceiving while you're hitting it. first couple times i was caught off guard by the size of the hit i got. really like them SB recyclers but i personally really want to see the whirlpool action
 

PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
i've tried the bigger sheldon black recycler with the fixed mouthpiece and it has very little drag or chug to it. quite deceiving while you're hitting it. first couple times i was caught off guard by the size of the hit i got. really like them SB recyclers but i personally really want to see the whirlpool action
Oh, Sheldon Black - yes sir. From the science point of view - you can argue they are the best... Mine has the least drag of my now 44 recyclers. BTW it was my first too. The standard I measure all to, changed my tastes and got me into recyclers. Watch out for SB’s. They are deadly.
 

turdhole

vagabond
i saw a video of a venturi-cycler on instagram but i cant find it now. i've been wanting to try a piece that uses the venturi effect and a recycler with it would be pretty cool to try
 

PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
I have a couple, i'll add one to vid list. Need to write up review of the D-Nail. I think its a human right to own one and a nice recycler. They should give you one at birth...


EDIT: one more thing. Don’t judge recyclers on inexpensive ones. Keep in mind recyclers require a good design and a lot workmanship, that takes time and pieces under $200 they can’t spend much time on. So you get what you pay for... Nature of the beast as it were.

Now, raising the value in the $300 range allows the blower to do more and you get more in return. Keep in mind this is business first. Some would say my new Robin Hood recycler was WAY OVER price until you examine it closely then dab it :) From afar a Yugo and a Audi look similar. Doubt Audi could make a car for what the Yugo cost and if they did, you wouldn't be happy with it.

I strongly suggest your first recycler is in the $300 range if you can do it.
 
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sasNW

Well-Known Member
Sold, thanks for the advice guys. Looks like I'll be looking for hopefully an earl jr. And going to raise the price range to 300-350ish. Didn't realize there would be a big difference between most $200 and $300 recyclers.
 

Silver420Surfer

Downward spiral
@Richy--thank you, man!

Got a green slyme 19mm recycler on order. WOOT! WOOT!

Still waiting for my recycler. After seeing all the negative talk about the Colies, I'm not even anticipating this thing anymore. The worst part is that some of the negative Colie talk, was from members whose opinion hold weight around here. DAMN you! Where was all the negative when i was talking about ordering, aarghh?!!

Anyway, I am already looking for another recycler, since you guys made me realize I didn't do enough homework. Fuck... I haven't "wasted" any of my vapor budget on a bad purchase in a very long time, not a good feeling.

These are the 2 I was originally looking at, until that $160 Klir, led me here and i saw the Colie mentioned instead of the Klir. I like something in the 9-11 height range. The teeny ones, I just don't like, I sold an Earl jr, because it was too tiny for me.

http://store.kultureva.com/bank-18mm-inline-recycler/dp/13859 ---this one by Bank

http://store.kultureva.com/silika-recycler/dp/13198 ---this one by Silika

Gonna take some time to reload the vape wallet, but as a public service announcement, GUYS/GALS---don't buy without doing you're homework, it will only end up in regret.:(
 

clouded vision

Well-Known Member
I ordered one from colie to so I'm hoping those were early examples and he has perfected them now. z there seem to be some satisfied customers over in the colie thread. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for mine.
 

mlo4sho

Well-Known Member
Still waiting for my recycler. After seeing all the negative talk about the Colies, I'm not even anticipating this thing anymore. The worst part is that some of the negative Colie talk, was from members whose opinion hold weight around here. DAMN you! Where was all the negative when i was talking about ordering, aarghh?!!

Anyway, I am already looking for another recycler, since you guys made me realize I didn't do enough homework. Fuck... I haven't "wasted" any of my vapor budget on a bad purchase in a very long time, not a good feeling.

These are the 2 I was originally looking at, until that $160 Klir, led me here and i saw the Colie mentioned instead of the Klir. I like something in the 9-11 height range. The teeny ones, I just don't like, I sold an Earl jr, because it was too tiny for me.

http://store.kultureva.com/bank-18mm-inline-recycler/dp/13859 ---this one by Bank

http://store.kultureva.com/silika-recycler/dp/13198 ---this one by Silika

Gonna take some time to reload the vape wallet, but as a public service announcement, GUYS/GALS---don't buy without doing you're homework, it will only end up in regret.:(
FWIW I love my Colie Recycler, though, I'm no where near as experienced with glass and recyclers as the other members around here. I haven't put it away since I got it ~2-3 weeks ago, an insane rarity. It works well enough for what I need it for and I'm satisfied with the price. With that said, my next recycler purchase will be one of the more expensive higher-end pieces. I've really been digging the Earl Jrs. Just wish I could find one.
 

ogcook

Well-Known Member
Thanks for chiming in, helps alleviate some remorse!
The one I used very well may have been a bunk older unit. But it wasn't even the function of his (which I still think is a poor design), but the fact that all the glaring issues with that piece EASILY would have been seen if he even bothered looking at it before packing it up. It seems like his lack of care or lack of pride in his work has turned me away from giving him another chance. I've also seen their communications through other outlets and that doesn't make me feel great either.
It does 'recycle' in the term that the water with flow. But as another member said "But it totally gives you that recycler-chug" I do NOT want that for my recycler. IMO it should FLOW and be SMOOTH! When my Earl Jr is going it's like pulling air. The water actually travels properly, is let out smoothly and funnels back in properly. Giving you a WAY different style hit. ZERO chug feeling what so ever. That chug is water falling and splashing, not smoothly flowing. Without that, you might as well just buy a stemline.

But bottom line, it works, it's cheap, it 'does' what it is supposed to. I just think he needs to take more time into designing his recycler better than just dropping colored glass onto a bad design. It's like tricking out your Civic and hoping it will still perform like a Ferrari.
 
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PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
@ogcook its possible you have a second...
Did you get it direct from them?
Blowers do unload items that fail their quality control, but they should be labeled as a second. I know direct hand one shop sales seconds and doesn't tell you. This was direct from the blower which was Liberty 503.

SS, I would wait till you get it before judging it. If you are not happy talk to them. Give them a chance.

If its any help, I ordered a custom from them. I know pipes and can compare it. That said I am not concerned in the least.
I have not met a blower that just wanted your money and didn't care if you were happy. I see blowers a lot here in Portland.

Happy thoughts

Finally, I strongly suggest going to your LHS with a mirror. You will learn if a recycler will do want you want just by the design and looks.
 

ogcook

Well-Known Member
@ogcook its possible you have a second...
Did you get it direct from them?
I personally did not buy it direct from him as I had it second hand from a friend. As far as I know the item was directly ordered from him.
My concerns with his design was more than just my lopsided base and welds, it's the design of ALL his recyclers and how they are made. Not a fan, even if one came out 'perfectly'.
 

PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
I personally did not buy it direct from him as I had it second hand from a friend. As far as I know the item was directly ordered from him.
My concerns with his design was more than just my lopsided base and welds, it's the design of ALL his recyclers and how they are made. Not a fan, even if one came out 'perfectly'.
Fair enough :)
 

MGG

Well-Known Member
You can check out two recyclers from a smaller glassblowing company (A Glasswork Orange) i picked up recently
AamG0gl.jpg

(i picked the one on the left and the one in the middle)

This is a clip of the one on the left

and this is a clip of the one on the right

Got these for a bargain.. left one $50, right one $75
:)
 

PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
I see some negative about Colie here - is it about their recyclers - i.e. the design or is it about workmanship?
Have you discussed it with them and gave them feedback?
Not saying it will changing anything, but it could.

Designs can be updated by user feedback. Workmanship, well yes I understand, but I would still give them feedback constructively. I have to several blowers myself. I didn’t say this sucks... I said positive things, but added areas for improvement from an users point of view especially if its design of a recycler. All good ones in each type have something in common I notice in my collection. I can almost say just by looking at it now if it will function well.


For example: if its the whirlpool effect thats important on a external recycler, 1st look how the tube connects to the funnel. If its straight in, it isn't going to work well. Look at a Hamm closely. It comes in the ball on the side (off center) and throws the water around the ball. My Hamm waterworks is a Ball not a funnel.

My Robin Hood another home run brings the tube at the top of the funnel and wraps it around below the rim and then melts into the funnel. That whirlpool is awesome.

Now if the funnel is just an egg kind of thing and the tube enters almost dead center near 90 degrees it is not going to whirlpool.

W/o the whirlpool the cooling is not done as well. However, it still could preform well. That can be personal.


Another is the perk itself. Too much turbulence screws up the whirlpool. It creates eddies in the flow. Honeycombs, frits etc are not good.

Another “good” thing is the recycler return path below the perk itself so you get full cycle of the water. Above the perk I have found isn’t a good thing. If you think about it you want a full circle. Water is raised by the perk into the tube and flows in the funnel. It should whirlpool and slow down taking time to return. The return itself comes in below the perk and the vacuum sucks it right back up into the tub... Above it does not suck, it pushes water via bubbles - not good in my opinion. You be your own judge there.

All this is for an external funnel recycler. An internal recycler or a Klien have differences in some design aspects.

Many people ask me why I don’t list in my spreadsheet my judgement rating like 1-10. I avoid that kind of out of respect for all. Why, its just my opinion. I am not a reporter and do not put enough effort to broadcast that too publicly. Now if I find an issue and it truly does not meet my expectation I will deal with the source first. And if it doesn’t get resolved to the point we agree to disagree that’s the time to go public :)

For example I bought a Steve Beer recycler in July from a Shop. It was broke in shipping - UPS store used shrink wrap around the bubble wrap (and pipe) creating a compressed ball. There were drips hanging on the mouth piece. An impact broke it. Shrink wrap on glass like that isn’t good. It compresses it. Well I asked for a replacement and they agreed - that was July. Guess who is still waiting... I have not raked the shop or blower over the coals yet ( publicly :) ). I don’t see how that will help unless I give up on it, which I have not.
 

Silver420Surfer

Downward spiral
You can check out two recyclers from a smaller glassblowing company (A Glasswork Orange) i picked up recently

(i picked the one on the left and the one in the middle)

This is a clip of the one on the left

and this is a clip of the one on the right

Got these for a bargain.. left one $50, right one $75
:)
Nice. Are those the "Tyklers"? Are those the same that go for $215 on DabLab? If so, what a fucking mark up!


I see some negative about Colie here - is it about their recyclers - i.e. the design or is it about workmanship?
Have you discussed it with them and gave them feedback?
Not saying it will changing anything, but it could.
If you were referring to me, please read my response, if not referring to me, then disregard, please.
I was just expressing remorse after ogcook and another member posted negative experiences. Then you said(loosely) "you gotta spend around $300" to get a good recycler. And I felt bad for my glass decision, albeit without even receiving it or using it yet. BUT I only expressed remorse and guess that can be considered negative. And later I apologized for expressing my opinion. I want to have zero to do with ANY negativity toward this company, none at all. I have no problems with them. I was told a refund was coming??,I didn't ask for one, but I guess I am getting one anyway. I am done with this chapter, please, my anxiety is killing me and I just am done discussing it/seeing it discussed. Please.

edit:spelling
 
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Silver420Surfer,

PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
Nice. Are those the "Tyklers"? Are those the same that go for $215 on DabLab? If so, what a fucking mark up!



If you were referring to me, please read my response, if not referrign to me, then disregard, please.
I was just expressing remorse after ogcook and another member posted negative experiences. Then you said(loosely) "you gotta spend around $300" to get a good recycler. And I felt bad for my glass decision, albeit without even receiving it or using it yet. BUT I only expressed remorse and guess that can be considered negative. And later I apologized for expressing my opinion. I want to have zero to do with ANY negativity toward this company, none at all. I have no problems with them. I was told a refund was coming??,I didn't ask for one, but I guess I am getting one anyway. I am done with this chapter, please, my anxiety is killing me and I just am done discussing it/seeing it discussed. Please.

edit:spelling
Not talking about anybody in particular really. Couldn't be you since - you don’t have one in hand :) or do I... Besides I saw you 2nd post which took the high road. How could one not respect that?

My point actually comes from a discussion I had with a very well known blower Friday night at a party. I asked why they didn’t cruise these threads to see what people think. Answer - no way could they defend themselves in a public manner like this. This wasn’t the venue they could deal with and simply reading the info wasn’t enough data to react to except emotionally. Now if a customer had an issue and wanted to talk to them about, they were all hears. To them that meant you were sincere and took the effort to respond back to them.

Actually, I am not whining, complaining or anything about what people want to say. Their right. I am trying to spin it positive - you do have input. They do want to here from you. Their intent is to make a great quality product. But it is a business and you get what you pay for to a point.

@Silver420Surfer - I understand your POV. You had one bullet and wanted to hit the target. I made a comment about the cost - performance trade-off and you were below it so you had second thoughts - sorry for that. Then Colie comments flying around and you began to worry. I don’t know what happened, other than that. I hope everything works out though. There is much love in the Colie thread from what I have read.

I don’t think the GWO’s at the DabLab are those pipes. Look closely at the funnels. The BWO’s are flared out more. However, they are a close :)

BTW - The DabLab people are excellent to work with too. Bought many from them and they work with you on non sale pieces.
 

MGG

Well-Known Member
Nice. Are those the "Tyklers"? Are those the same that go for $215 on DabLab? If so, what a fucking mark up!

edit:spelling

Yes they are the 18mm tyklers. However i was getting a mad deal, those tyklers do go for $215 on DabLab but i picked them up for less then what Eric (the glass blower) sells them to dablab for. Because i was also paying $75 for him to fix/upgrade my mobius, you can check out the completed job in the mobius thread ;).

They are lovely little rigs, especially when accompanied with a domeless quartz nail, very good portable recyclers. Arguably the cheapest and smallest recyclers out there. (at least the cheapest for me :) )
 

PhotoRider

Diagnosed with level 11 G.A.S.
well I stand corrected on the GWO’s - they do look different though in areas.
 
PhotoRider,

MGG

Well-Known Member
well I stand corrected on the GWO’s - they do look different though in areas.

Yeah if anyone's interested i contacted them here.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Gla...ustom-Glass-Novelties/141517799219143?fref=ts
Eric is the glassblower but sometimes his girlfriend answers the messages. they are both HEAPS nice and pretty much always can do dope deals and can blow you custom pieces.

Each of Eric's pieces never really look exactly the same. They are all unique in their own way. Specifically the tykler has a number of different versions, dablab have had 'Version 1' and 'Version 2' but he's done some other types.. For instance the one of the right of that picture i uploaded doesn't even have the same tykler 'showerline' perc in it. It has an 'inline perc' in the 3rd one.
In fact for anyone interested here's a vid of the 3rd one on the right in that picture.
 
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