Recent content by jackrod

You can easily dial in the power using a variable voltage power supply. That can be a lab supply or adjustable DC-DC converter. Lab supply is nice since it allows constant current operation too, and will display voltage/current applied. Some show the power too. Like this one...

Thanks brainy! It passed its first test well :D and stood up to a very hot burn in at around 12.3V overnight. No visible oxide discoloration on the bulb tubes, pins, or contacts. While the heater cover and screens got that slight yellow tint. So it seems that system isn't getting too hot, like...

Latest update, on this idea of an easily serviceable/long lasting halogen log. This one has a nice machined socket for the 10W halogen bulb, and is held together by just the 2 heater cover screws. Same 11mm/10mm heat island style cover, and square walnut body. I am pretty happy with the design...

Shouldn't be afraid of a little torch action when soldering :science: I use it to get the solder off of the barrel jacks for reuse, or preheat big stuff. All about getting the heat where it needs to be. @Flotsam Good luck with the build. This project has really showed me how simple a vaporizer...

It's a good point about the distance from the heater. My cartridges were quite short. But the SS tubing extension trick could work for them too. To that point, it might be better to just crimp on some thin tubing to form an extension, and run those down to a socket in the base. The socket could...

Good idea on the dremel. I did manage to file off the deformed part of the tube, and push it onto the pins of one of my bulbs. Then pinched it on with pliers, to connect it permanently. Did the same with copper wires on the other side of the tubes. Used this as a replacement for the wire-wrapped...

Well, the tubing I used was too small, some of the pins on the bulbs are a bit too large to fit the 0.7mm ID. About half do fit, though. Seems like the nickel plating varies a bit in thickness. This size, very close to the pin size, is not really suitable for making a socket. Though I did manage...

Fixed up my first bamboo log with a new heater assembly. Tried out the uninsulated butt splices with glass beads. Little tight, but feels secure. Next log, I'm going to try out making my own simple socket for the halogen bulb. Bought some tiny 1mm OD, 0.15mm wall SS tubing. I'm hoping it will...

@Hippie Using bare contacts might be the ticket. You can get them gold plated, sized for many different pins. 100% proper crimping is a bit tricky, requires special tools. But probably a decent contact that is easier to crimp or solder could be found. Then you could use any stranded high-temp...

I feel pretty good about it, at least for Mk. 2. The wires are stiff and held close to the center of the tube by the pins and the cork. The bulb can't rattle, since its tip is contained by the screens. But there is always room for improvement, this isn't at the point I would feel comfortable...

You were right on target with all these suggestions - I rebuilt the core after noticing the same issues. After thinking I had broken the bulb, when I had really just knocked the power supply loose :doh: When taking it apart, I noticed the cork had scorched a bit. After some more investigation...

Thanks to some great tips here, I completed my second log, this one with a halogen heater. Square-ish walnut body, 11mm OD/10mm ID heat island style heater cover, 12V 10W bulb. The heater cover has 3 hacksawed slits at the bottom, and is fixed to a 3/8 washer by filing the end of the...

@brainiac The brand name should help, was just looking for some more details on the bulb holders. Hard to sort through on amazon etc. @darkstar72 that all makes sense. The 1/4" bowl is cool but I could see how 5/16" is more versatile. I will have to keep trying to carve out a cork. The wine...

@darkstar72 Thanks for the help. I will have to try out the paper roasting tubes and 7/16 heater cover sometime. I used my log with a 5/16 SS stem fitting inside the heater cover. Also prefer microdosing/one hit, and was able to get enough out of the 5/16 tube (1/4 ID bowl). Do you find that a...

Just tried my first DIY log thanks to the resources posted here by Alan, blokenoname, braniac, underdog. It was a very simple design, using what I had available. Not the prettiest, may need some changes for long term use, but it worked amazingly well on my first test :science: . Bamboo body...