We are getting better at applying the smooth shiny stuff is why some of the latest seem shinier. It must be applied on the lathe using friction created heat so all the sanding is done when the finish goes on. Sometimes a spot here or there will not clean up perfectly, sometimes old eyes do not see every scratch.
NYCs RZ, along with some others sent out early have a defect of some kind in the finish or maybe a little chip of wood lost drilling the plug hole in our first runs. We(me mostly) goofed up on a new process or banged one against another or maybe even dropped one throughout the process. We learn from each mistake and seldom repeat that clumsiness.
Traditional log vapes are a straight line, with the grain. I always finish the traditional log Zap wood off with a good ten minute hand job using 220 and 400 grit sandpaper. Hand sanding always adds that special finish and is easy to do with the tradional wood insulated log vape. Some of these new shapes in the RZs you see would be very difficult to hand sand, if not impossible. They get sanded on the lathe. They also get a different finish selected for an enduring shine. ZaPolish should not be necessary but will not harm the finish that we are using if you want to use it.
So imperfection is raising her beautiful head here in Zapville, especially with our early new units. We are learning better techniques every day to keep miss imperfecta in her place. Her place is to always be here as always but she is so sweet that she will only be able to show her stuff rarely. Those getting these early units will also discover our first batch of heatports for the new RZ have the center ever so slightly off center. We re-worked some non insulated heatports to add the insulation compartment 'wings' at the top and the bottom and the centers came out just a few thousandths off. Still totally functional and look good but the perfectionists out there will notice the slight boo boo. Oh shit, there is that word! On the other hand, my guess is these little boo boos in the early units will add value to them if that is a concern.
Wood stems will be a few more days out. We are refining construction techniques in the shop before we will get so see more and offer them for sale. I am also exploring a different mount for our SS tips in the glass Tooty. Those who ordered Tootys with their RZ's will have to wait a few days for the Tooty. RZs will ship today, Tooty later in the week.
No excuses, just what is happening in the early stages of rolling out the final version of the RZ.
I will be spending some time today doing SS retros on old Zaps so I should have some more information on that subject soon. I am sure some of you feel left out with the excitement generated lately by the RZ and all the many different variations we are delivering that product to the log vape market. So many of you have beautiful old Zaps and are wondering if they really can get a new SS life. I am concluding there will be one main refurbish product and that will be the new closed bottom SS heatport installed in the wood from the top, exactly as the old design. That will surely be the easiest and cheapest way to do it and much of the wood I have seen in some of these old favorites is still in good shape. I am thinking the bottom bore process necessary for a RZ retro would be tough to do without re-turning the Zap. Like I said, I'll have more info soon. Thanks for all the patience on this issue. I have been a little short with some of you answering your questions on the subject. This is also not a normal "product" so I have to figure out the logistics on Zaps returned, inspection, good to fix or not, etc, etc.
I'll be back later with something fun. First a busy day in town most of the morning.
