Aromazap/Myrtlezap/CeramicRockZap

[SKinlessTomcat]

Hey Rick!
I ordered my Myrtlezap w/ SSS but no ceramic insulator last Sunday night (8/21). How long do you think it will be until shipped? I am very excited!

Thanks,
Skinless
(Idaho)

 

[momofthegoons]

SKinlessTomcat, the best way to find out that info is to email Rick directly.

And, welcome to the forum and Zapville!

 

[al bundy]

i knew you'd be able to give new life to an old Zap.
great job

 

[Rick]

Oh now mom, don't be so damn technical here. SKinless is from Idaho even!
Looks like we can get it to you by the end of the week SKinless as we are only a day away from you via US mail. You are due to ship mid-week or so. Thanks for the order and becoming an FC member.
Aero, Better send your addy again just so I am sure. I do have it in my address book but it is always good to double check(for me anyway). Zaplady just reports your old sweetie is performing very well.
We will be offering SSS refurbish in both install versions, traditional top install with no insulator and bottom install with concrete and ceramic insulator between the heatport and the wood. Which method we use will depend on the condition of the wood and the customers request. I will have more info on this as we get closer to mid-Sept. I understand it seems like more wait but we want to do this right. A few more days will seem like nothing once it happens.

 

[the ob]

Oh now mom, don't be so damn technical here. SKinless is from Idaho even!
Looks like we can get it to you by the end of the week SKinless as we are only a day away from you via US mail. You are due to ship mid-week or so. Thanks for the order and becoming an FC member.
Aero, Better send your addy again just so I am sure. I do have it in my address book but it is always good to double check(for me anyway). Zaplady just reports your old sweetie is performing very well.
We will be offering SSS refurbish in both install versions, traditional top install with no insulator and bottom install with concrete and ceramic insulator between the heatport and the wood. Which method we use will depend on the condition of the wood and the customers request. I will have more info on this as we get closer to mid-Sept. I understand it seems like more wait but we want to do this right. A few more days will seem like nothing once it happens.

looks like my babies will be getting a facelift.

all except for my first. I might keep her as is just for posterity.

My other three will get revamped. they will be like Robozaps (or bioniczaps). This will be especially good for my soft mahoe!!! Thanks for this Rick.

 

[Vitolo]

Ravin' the Figured Walnut Second Life Zap, sits and patiently waits.
She wants all the activity to die down first..
and for the Zapville Train to run smooth on track.
She dreams of one day having a rock heart.. but she knows that there is no hurry.... there is always time!

 

[nr-cole]

We will be offering SSS refurbish in both install versions, traditional top install with no insulator and bottom install with concrete and ceramic insulator between the heatport and the wood. Which method we use will depend on the condition of the wood and the customers request. I will have more info on this as we get closer to mid-Sept. I understand it seems like more wait but we want to do this right. A few more days will seem like nothing once it happens.

Cool! I'd love to get the SSS heatport but like I talked about a few days ago the Rockzap doesn't appeal to me for completely illogical reasons I never want to have to get rid of my beautiful Walnut Zap!

 

[collegerower]

Excited to hear my girl might be getting a face lift in the future. Sounds great because my little girl has had quite a rattle for the past few months. Fun things to look forward to.

 

[Nycdeisel]

a heart of stone Vito... better yet a heart of gold? maybe not for this application

jokes jokes

Fabulous news rick! I know refurbishing isnt down to an exact science yet but you seem like you have a good handle on the whole thing. I would love to see if my Walnut Zap could get a bottom install RockSSS core

 

[psyshaman]

Same here NYCD, my Walnut Zap is magnificent and if she can get surgery to make her hotter, I'll happily pay for the procedure. Haha.

She is very special to me as Rick picked it for me especially before he sent it for a ride on a big bird to a land down under
And on that note... the Walnut Brassy, was just introduced to a 13.5v power adapter and Wow she is rocking without a rock at the moment! I don't think I'll ever part with her

 

[Nycdeisel]

Having her get the 'surgery' wouldnt necessarily be parting with her, it would be more like a 'see you later '

Same here, Rick picked mine out for me, I love the piece of wood! I would hate to have the new SSS outshine it forever, i hope it will catch up eventually after it gets its innards replaced.

love my walnut zap
havent posted this in a wHile, only put it up once and that was around when I first got it

click to watch^^

 

[Rick]

Here is a better shot of HDLars rockburl porn. He was still without power when he sent me these last night.

needless to say, the rest of this wood will be opened up when I move to middle school on the lathe.
See why I did not want to do a traditional log vape heatport in wood install with this stuff? It would be a shame to give her the usual for such a soft wood body. Charring and rattles, here we come, would be the case................unless one decided to leave it off and just look at it.
As I have said often recently, the coming bottom install will insulate the wood even better with additional ceramic insulators top and bottom.

Getting to be that time of the year again. Front and side of the house area is full of Elk every morning. This year they will be closer than close because we water our(new this year) steer and heifer in the same area. It is the only water around and we have been wondering why the 50 gallon plus old bathtub we use for their water has been drank down so low every day for the last few days............duh...........Damn those are some big animals and they just like step over the 4 foot cow fencing.

Vito you are so cool, calm and collected. And patient. I have not forgot your coming Zaps as you know but now am waiting on the revised, closed bottom heatport. They should start coming off the line early this week. Besides, now you can boast to your patients that the vapor producing airflow in AZ is now 100% enclosed in stainless steel. Not just any SS either. A solid machined center core welded to the liner and then electro polished(ALL surfaces) to a surgical grade finish. That should make those patients even happier.
Thanks again for all you do here and everywhere. You help complete the AZ circle and you will be the AZ in AZ circle very soon. The old AZ construction process gets tougher to do every day. I keep thinking of what I will be doing very soon and get distracted.

 

[momofthegoons]

Holy moly that is a beautiful piece of burl Rick. HDLar you got a beauty!

 

[guardian]

shipping conformation recieved along with about 5 thank yous in the email, no THANK YOU RICK !!! glad to have given you some business though. still going strong with my work line catching them blue crabs im a bit worn out from it today zap to arrive wednesday/thursday probobly wednesday im not too far from AZ but a few states away. will give my impression upon trying it out, hope it pulled some "good vapor" before it left i do see the motive behind that i guess one to make sure it works and two that you wouldnt sell something you would be afraid to inhale out of yourself.

 

[smartrott]

Queen's wood. maybe. Whatever, she is a keeper. I do know that.

Tried making a video, you wanna talk about a joke.


HDlars - hope you get your power back on soon.

 

[psyshaman]

All these photo's are such a tease! Keep rocking those rocks! I can't wait to receive mine and puff up a fog storm. Very pretty grain everywhere...

 

[Nycdeisel]

lol mine looks like nothing now

ANYWAY

smartrott: even your dog is happy!!

 

[rotax]

We will be offering SSS refurbish in both install versions, traditional top install with no insulator and bottom install with concrete and ceramic insulator between the heatport and the wood. Which method we use will depend on the condition of the wood and the customers request.

Wonderful news!
Zap evolution is great.

 

[RumbleShorts]

My sincere apologies to all of my friends, but the links to VTV vids do not function. Something unusual happened this morning, and all the vids are gone! I will do my best to get them back!
There is a chance my account was hacked.. but I have reset the password.
The videos did already serve their function.. they were made for you, my friends.
I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason.
I will work on the videos, and will keep posting photos! (the photos were not disturbed!)
Vape on friends!

Vito,
I know this is an old post and your a busy guy. But, if you get a few minutes can you check in your archive file any Zap videos? I went through all of your photobucket albums but couldn't find any Zap specific. I seem to recall that you made a couple, so i went back into your post's and found this. *hope you don't mind the "slight" cyber stalking!!
Just so you know it's all for a just cause, I'm trying to love my new Zap. I dig everything about her. Her looks, her feel, the way she sits on my desk calling out for attention. The only thing i am underwhelmed at is her performance! I just can't get her to produce for me. I'm hoping your video will shed some light on what is going wrong.
I can get great hits out of the MLB, so I don't think it's so much technique. I have tried everything I've been able to glean from the thread (stem packing, draw technique, grind consistency).

I do plan to go through Mom's posts as well this evening to find when she first came on board ( as she suggested a couple days ago). To see if I can find the Zap key in one of her write ups.

Rick,
Hope you don't mind me airing out my issues on the thread. I figure if we can get this info- repeated again- it will help all of us new Zap family members along. But, if you would rather me email you first I would be happy to. I know you will make sure I'm satisfied. I'm just hoping to resolve my problems while still keeping my girl here by my side, instead of sending her back for a check up.

What would be great is to have a video that shows the whole Zap process. From soup to nuts so to speak without all the flash of a typical video. Focus on function

Thank you all for being patient and understanding.

 

[momofthegoons]

RumbleShorts, I came on about a year and a half ago, but I don't know if my posts will help or not... :/ I'm so sorry you're struggling with this. I had a hard time in the beginning too. And still can have stems that aren't "optimal" if I'm not careful with stem pack. How dry your herb is can really make a difference. In the summer, I have a hard time getting my herb dry because of humidity. Sometimes, I take some and put it in my whip style vape and take one quick hit to dry it, then dump it out and use it in my stem. That seems to help.

What kind of vape are you used to using? Is it only the LB? I would think a transition from that to a log vape would be easier than from a heavy hitter style. Sometimes, when people use a log vape after using a whip style, they are unsatisfied with the amount of vapor being produced. I've said it in the past; this vape is like sipping a fine glass of wine instead of taking a shot of tequila. The hits can be just as big, but it takes patience. With the new SSS, it makes it easier, but it is often still a skill that takes practice at first. The quality of herb can make a difference, as well as the strain. Some herb vapes better than others.

But, the fact remains that your Zap is a beta. The cement might have been too dense for the density of the wood. If this continues, you really should send it back to Rick. It might just not be functioning properly.

edit to add: Rumble...Rick has never minded people discussing their problems, etc. on his thread. No worries there.

 

[SirElton]

I agree with momofthegoons. There is a bit of a learning curve, but the problem may just be its beta status. I was able to get some real nice and consistent draws by a week's time had passed. The best advice I can offer is to keep those stems loose. Not so loose the herbs fall out, but loose enough to where it almost feels like you are pulling without any resistance.

 

[momofthegoons]

Exactly right SirElton..... you should be able to get a good draw from your stem after packing.... prior to starting to vape with it. If your draw is restricted after packing the stem, try again. There should be good air flow through the stem after packing it.

I've got to believe if your Zap is hot to the touch, it can produce vapor.

 

[RumbleShorts]

Thank you for the suggestions! I truly do appreciate the sincere recommendations. That is a big part of what makes this a very special place indeed.
No trial sessions this morning, off to a what i am afraid will turn into an all day appointment with the Doctor. One of the procedures on tap today is a CAT scan. I'm a little freaked out about. Never had one before but, a friend described the stuff they shoot into you prior to climbing into the machine as a shot of JD taken right int the arm instead of drinking it. Sounds kinda creepy? Right?

Anyway, once I get this stuff out of the way I should be able to spend some quality time with my little Zap and give it a few more stems.

I have been able to get some vapor but, the hits are thin and wimpy. I am not expecting monsters but I am hoping for a full flavored rip with good body. Right now, I am getting hints of the magic I know she can produce but it's just that, hints not the real thing.

 

[Rick]

RumbleShorts
I actually appreciate you dealing with your Zap not working properly for you on this forum. Our thread is about AZ/MZ and the old bastard that makes them and ALL the changes happening this year, our tenth anniversary. This may sound weird but I am pleased you are having problems. We SHOULD be having some problems with all the changes being thrown out, especially when we get into insulating that stainless heatport and using a denser wood. Your description of how you treasure your Zap is great but if it does not perform as it should for you, it is not great. That is too big a 'miss' for the product. These are not Mantle pieces.
SirElton is right on with the loose pack to start and mom, you are always doing so much to help with folks having problems and we really appreciate that. One thing I have noticed with the changes in AZ is we are getting several more 'newbies' than in the past. The most common sale in the past has normally been someone who tried a Zap at a friends place so they are already tuned in to the technique. Folks who have never tried a log vape do have a learning curve and without a guide it can get discouraging. ON THE OTHER HAND, you could very simply have a low performer on your hands RumbleShorts. I will be putting a replacement on the list for you this week if you continue to have problems. I did hint that one of the five was not as hot as the other four but then seemed to pick up for me(that was yours). That could have been the placebo effect in a way. I do promise you will be much happier with your Zap experience very soon. And thank you for letting us know your Zap is not performing as it should.
Ah, videos, another missing link in the AZ experience except for some fine customers who have done something. My excuse has always been the nature of the beast and the conservative State we live in and another personal issue involving our family. In particular an ex family member who will do just about anything to hurt us because our son rejected her after 15 years of marriage. That situation is still 'holding'. That's life for now anyway.
I'll be headed over for our first batch of bottom SS sealed heatports tomorrow. I'll get a picture up soon. I have a surprise to go with it too. I ran across the heatport that started it all the other day.
Friday we talked and planned SS stem tips among other things. Yesterday, Monday, our guide through all this took delivery of (3) twenty foot sticks of SS tubing, the good kind. They already are getting the crimp down. I should have more to report on that one Wednesday PM. Unreal to see our tubing come in 20 foot sticks.
As has been mentioned in the past, ALL work being done away from Zapville is done locally by good old(and young) American men and women. I will bet they buy only US materials but need to confirm that.

Hang in there RumbleShorts. You'll be getting some special attention until you are happy with the performance of your Zap. Then just regular attention.

NYC, "mine looks like nothing now"? Come on girl, yours is a beauty too, just a different kind of beauty. We are planning on more Burl and fancy stuff down the road soon so if the trippiest is what you want, it will be here................before long. I wish I could have snapped my finners and made this all happen overnight so no one would be 'in the middle' of all the changes. Then on the other hand I cannot believe how fast we are changing. The luck of the draw................
Rumble
Calm yourself for todays procedure. You will be in good hands. They are pros. Just relax and know what is, is. The most important thing is for you to stay at ease. Look at the word. dis ease
We are all rooting for you, whatever it is.

 

[the ob]

Thank you for the suggestions! I truly do appreciate the sincere recommendations. That is a big part of what makes this a very special place indeed.
No trial sessions this morning, off to a what i am afraid will turn into an all day appointment with the Doctor. One of the procedures on tap today is a CAT scan. I'm a little freaked out about. Never had one before but, a friend described the stuff they shoot into you prior to climbing into the machine as a shot of JD taken right int the arm instead of drinking it. Sounds kinda creepy? Right?

Anyway, once I get this stuff out of the way I should be able to spend some quality time with my little Zap and give it a few more stems.

I have been able to get some vapor but, the hits are thin and wimpy. I am not expecting monsters but I am hoping for a full flavored rip with good body. Right now, I am getting hints of the magic I know she can produce but it's just that, hints not the real thing.

hope all goes well today. I want to reiterate one thing mom said and that is people who normally use a whip style zap will sometimes expect more vapor than you can sometimes see with the zaps. You might try sitting next to a light and blowing into it to see how much actual vapor comes out.

Not saying that you are not having mechanical problems. It is quite possible with the beta versions, this is just something different to try. The good news is that if it is a mechanical problem, you know you will be well taken care of.