Aromazap/Myrtlezap/CeramicRockZap

[Rick]

That 13.5 will surely up the heat. Just be sure you periodically check back with the 12 volt as as they do better with the flow, especially after a break in period. Some do fine with the 12 volt from the start. Just depends on what you like. You are used to those heavy smoke hits is why the "heavy" vapor fits your liking Ed. Thanks for the input.

Now some updates.
Today the first production batch with the revised heatport assembly go on the test bench and will ship tomorrow. The new design took a bit of tweaking in the production process. The end product fits and looks almost identical to the old heatport, except the heatsink is stacked washers rather than a solid piece. Getting it there took some changes but it is happening.
But what really happened is Rick is not in his routine mode. I have been there for years, doing what had to be done, the same way every time. Repeat, repeat. But this heatport change has sparked me a bit. Not only will it all be 100% RoHS but we are making it better by adding some mass which will hold heat better. Cannot say if it will be hotter(although Pat says the prototype is a bit hotter) but the extra mass will help for sure. Might take a bit longer to get up to heat but most folks leave them on 24/7 anyway so that is not an issue. The custom washers will be here in about two weeks. I will have more updates when they arrive.
On another front, I will be shuffling over to Spokane soon with my little gadget, some tips and some pictures. We have some excellent glass people around so I will see what I can do, Hopefully through my website with a good inventory. In the meantime, feel free to pass on suggested improvements to the glass whip idea. Removable tip? Possible with no bonding material? I don't know about any of this so maybe we will find some things are not easily done?
Wood whips Ed is going to try. I agree with you Mom, cleaning will be a challenge with the wood. But who knows without trying.

So routine Rick is in a change mode. Just to get this all back to a routine again. We have some serious changes coming to the website and have had for several months. The hold up was/is an ex in law who made an issue of our business in legal papers. It could affect the outcome of child custody decisions. That is why we were on the edge. We are back away from that edge just a little but do not know yet if another big wind will come along in the wrong direction. Time does help these types of things.
Just got your order Emory. It will ship mid-next week or so. Much thanks. Good you mentioned FC for an extra stem.

 

[DevoTheStrange]

That 13.5 will surely up the heat. Just be sure you periodically check back with the 12 volt as as they do better with the flow, especially after a break in period. Some do fine with the 12 volt from the start. Just depends on what you like. You are used to those heavy smoke hits is why the "heavy" vapor fits your liking Ed. Thanks for the input.

Now some updates.
Today the first production batch with the revised heatport assembly go on the test bench and will ship tomorrow. The new design took a bit of tweaking in the production process. The end product fits and looks almost identical to the old heatport, except the heatsink is stacked washers rather than a solid piece. Getting it there took some changes but it is happening.
But what really happened is Rick is not in his routine mode. I have been there for years, doing what had to be done, the same way every time. Repeat, repeat. But this heatport change has sparked me a bit. Not only will it all be 100% RoHS but we are making it better by adding some mass which will hold heat better. Cannot say if it will be hotter(although Pat says the prototype is a bit hotter) but the extra mass will help for sure. Might take a bit longer to get up to heat but most folks leave them on 24/7 anyway so that is not an issue. The custom washers will be here in about two weeks. I will have more updates when they arrive.
On another front, I will be shuffling over to Spokane soon with my little gadget, some tips and some pictures. We have some excellent glass people around so I will see what I can do, Hopefully through my website with a good inventory. In the meantime, feel free to pass on suggested improvements to the glass whip idea. Removable tip? Possible with no bonding material? I don't know about any of this so maybe we will find some things are not easily done?
Wood whips Ed is going to try. I agree with you Mom, cleaning will be a challenge with the wood. But who knows without trying.

So routine Rick is in a change mode. Just to get this all back to a routine again. We have some serious changes coming to the website and have had for several months. The hold up was/is an ex in law who made an issue of our business in legal papers. It could affect the outcome of child custody decisions. That is why we were on the edge. We are back away from that edge just a little but do not know yet if another big wind will come along in the wrong direction. Time does help these types of things.
Just got your order Emory. It will ship mid-next week or so. Much thanks. Good you mentioned FC for an extra stem.

I actually have a theory about it running warmer... there is a lot more room for air to occupy, around and between the washers now, so the volume of available warm air has increased as well as the thermal mass.

 

[collegerower]

Rick,

I am glad to hear that you guys have a bit of a new spark over in Zapville! This is very exciting, and I cant wait to see what ti result is!

 

[momofthegoons]

Life sure does come with it's challenges. But change is energy and that can be a good thing. I'm sending a whole lot of white light your way Rick in the hopes that your changes are all in a positive direction.

I agree that it's we ex combusters (or current) that need those heavier hits, especially recent recruits like me. I've been trying to change over my best friend who has asthma. I busted her combusting yesterday. But I'm a tenacious gal. I will succeed. I'm also going to try the 13.5. I think that will do the trick.

"Mini-mom" and I have been having several daily bonding sessions. The Zapolish is really bringing out the features in the three figures. It's a little spooky. The mother has one distinct eye now. I feel the new Zap needs a little extra loving with the polish, being newly turned wood. So it's been really interesting seeing the grain pop out more and more. I know I'm starting to sound a little kooky, but so be it.

 

[B.]

Rick- I love the idea of adding glass to the mix. I use my MZ with my bong exclusively, like I'm sure many others do. I would definitely purchase a stem to 14.4 ground glass male end. The regular stem does fit pretty well, and the seal is pretty damn good, but glass would still be cool. What I'm imagining is the small metal tube I load my bud into covered with the glass gong end.

Hope everything works out for the best family wise. Good luck.

 

[Beezleb]

exciting times! I look forward to the updates.

 

[highendvapes]

Great to hear Zapville is back on track, hope the wind stays calm for you all.

 

[momofthegoons]

Received my 13.5 from Rick today.

Nuff said.

 

[AGBeer]

Received my 13.5 from Rick today.

Nuff said.

LOL It has a wee bit more of a 'kick' to it eh? I enjoyed playing with my 13.5v on and off before. I think I have become more than pleased with the 12v most of the time now. If I want a lung buster I grab my SV and load way more than I want to.

 

[momofthegoons]

LOL It has a wee bit more of a 'kick' to it eh?

I'll say it does. I get more hits per stem and am able to make substantially larger vapor clouds. I'm just having way too much fun with this. It's hard to get back to the daily grind. I keep finding excuses to go hit the "meddy."

I've also got to add that it's always fun getting a package from Zapville. The lavender hits you before you even open the box. Good times.

 

[caseball2051]

Just polished my zap for the first time a few minutes ago. i love the smell and feel of it after the polish!


Hope all is well with you, rick.

happy vaping to everyone.

 

[mnmlh]

Nothing like a good polishing. Reminds me of how much I like the myrtle wood and grain every time I do it.

Ed - I really thought you would like the 13.5. Glad it worked out that way!

 

[Rick]

Been gone awhile from the FC fun. Last week we officially opened the farm for the season. Lots of things to do and stuff to get planted. The house was getting over run with plants of all kinds. Pat starts them in the house around the first of March so by mid April it gets real green in here. We now have made the first move with some out in the ground and a bunch more to the greenhouse which we can heat. We had a very nice winter which makes one want to start early but Mother usually puts a quick stop to that plan, at least where we live.
I have not got to a glass person yet. I am planning on doing that this week. So much going on here last week that I did not even get to the close "town"(Coeur d'Alene, ID, about 30 miles). Custom washers should be here this week which will make the new heatport much easier to fabricate. Orders still going out with the new heatport design but with off the shelf parts, it makes for extra time/work. We have found some new tubing that I will be checking on this week too. Bought a new tool for the farm workers that came with some clear, heavy tubing that fits stems perfectly. Very stiff and thick stuff that makes a super stem extender with visible vapor clouds. Now I have to find out more about it before we go any further on that one.
Pat has a pic somewhere of some of last weeks orders that I will try to get up soon. It is getting fun trying to match customer requests to to wood we have. One of last weeks Myrtles was even an attempt at a big block Chevy. We must have done OK as he was very happy with it except his wife wants it in the house, not in the shop.
Sorry for the gap in FC responses on this thread. To be honest, I flow better outside or in the shop. This forum stuff takes time that is not available much of the year and it is not a favorite thing I like to do.
Just watched a tiny spider drop from somewhere along side my monitor. Now he is heading to some nook or cranny by the keyboard. I love the country and bugs and birds and bees and turkeys and quail and grouse and elk and OOOOUUUI, the woodpeckers are everywhere this year pounding away for food and love.(Some of their work is for the ladies).

 

[collegerower]

Rick,

Glad to hear that you are still working on everything! I hope you are able to find a glass blower locally!

Enjoy the spring time!

 

[T4All]

I bought a 13.5v for my MZ thinking it would be better, used it twice and went permanently back to the 12v. The 12v tastes better and smoother, whereas the 13.5v made slightly thicker vapor but kinda ruins the taste with a burnt popcorn flavor.

The MZ came up to temp in a few weeks with the 12v, it's just right.

 

[momofthegoons]

I bought a 13.5v for my MZ thinking it would be better, used it twice and went permanently back to the 12v. The 12v tastes better and smoother, whereas the 13.5v made slightly thicker vapor but kinda ruins the taste with a burnt popcorn flavor.

The MZ came up to temp in a few weeks with the 12v, it's just right.

Glad to hear it! I think it's a matter of personal taste. I've noticed my Zap is running a little hotter with the 12v now, but still like the heavier hits. It's probably because I only started using a vape three months ago and have been combusting for so long. I miss the smoke, but not really. Kinda hard to explain. I don't think I would ever go back to smoking, but miss the heavier hits, so the 13.5 works well for me right now. I don't find the taste to be burnt at all with the 13.5, so maybe your Zap was running hotter from the start. My using the 13.5 might change as time goes on and/or my Zap conditions. In any case, I love my Zap.
Glad you feel it's "just right."

 

[Rick]

The tubing we are considering is a clear food grade PVC, FDA approved materials, NSF-51 certified. So far, based on what I have read on FC and elsewhere, it is safe to use in our application. It is 1/2 inch ID and 3/4" OD, 1/8" wall thickness, relatively stiff but can be bent to shape easily. We are using a one foot long piece and have been for over a week. Much bigger pulls, easier pulled, without a doubt. Same with cooler vapor. Also visible vapor as the tubing is clear. No taste reduction or change that we can notice. Easily cleanable. Lots of pluses. Stems fit perfectly. The plan is to offer a chunk with each new Zap order, with a mouthpiece and short stem. Also as an accessory, like a couple chunks of tubing, 2 short stems and two mouthpieces. Update soon when I get some prices.

The difference in pulls with tubing is why we are considering this. Very noticeable and it does seem we are getting more pulls per tip load. No scientific evidence to support that(more pulls), just the experience of 10 year users.

 

[collegerower]

So after looking around I realized that I need a little help from some more experienced users. I want to play with my Zap through a bong, but am trying to do so at a low cost. I was wondering if it would be possible to pair my zap with this little guy:

Which is for sale here:

http://www.grasscity.com/smoking-pi...ongs/mini-glass-bongs/molino-mini-bong-3.html

Also here:

http://www.everyonedoesit.com/online_headshop/Molino__Mini_Glass_Bong_2.cfm?iProductID=5791

So what do you guys think? I would get a HVY mini beaker. but its a little pricey for a novice like myself. And I cant find any used at a lower price (and its out of stock even if I wanted it).

Or should I just man up and save for the HVY when it comes back in stock for about $50 shipped?


Help.

 

[momofthegoons]

The tubing idea sounds really interesting. I'm sure it would cool the hit substantially and am glad to hear there isn't a noticeable taste difference. I would still love to see you look into the glass stem option when you have a chance.

 

[AGBeer]

I can attest that the tubing DOES significantly cool the vapor (still making clouds) and I have found that tubing works BEST when using the bong (any bong)

Even that tiny lil guy should do the trick - just use tubing.

Sticking the stem in the GoNG attachment works too, but you can ultimately end up with chips in your glass. (Using tubing alleviates that)

 

[lwien]

Sticking the stem in the GoNG attachment works too, but you can ultimately end up with chips in your glass. (Using tubing alleviates that)

I've just been sticking the stem in the downstem for months now. I've never been concerned with chips in my glass, nor have I got any. Has there been any reports of this happening?

 

[collegerower]

Even that tiny lil guy should do the trick - just use tubing.

Sticking the stem in the GoNG attachment works too, but you can ultimately end up with chips in your glass.

Firstly, how could I attach tubing to this little guy. Secondly could I just pit the stem up to the bowl like people do with the HVY?

 

[lwien]

Even that tiny lil guy should do the trick - just use tubing.

Sticking the stem in the GoNG attachment works too, but you can ultimately end up with chips in your glass.

Firstly, how could I attach tubing to this little guy. Secondly could I just pit the stem up to the bowl like people do with the HVY?

Not the bowl, CG, the downstem. My bowl on the HVY has never been used. It's in a drawer somewhere.

 

[Rick]

mom, we still have glass stems on the list. Just to start that plan will take most of a day off the farm and those are hard to come by. I do plan on that day happening this week. Plans! HA!

collegerower, what size is the bowl? Would a Zap stem fit in there? Looks like it would take big tubing to fit over it, making the tubing too big for the Zap stem?

 

[collegerower]

Ah you are so right lwien! This just points to how much of a noob I am.