Crafty/Crafty+ by Storz & Bickel

[JCat]

Mate im sorry, i didnt know you make business out of this, so i think is unfair for me to ask you help due to conflict of interest i guess...or at least in an open thread, i could use your service but being in Portugal would be rather expensive to order 1 + postage, and i already have 2 VTC6 out of 4 x 18650 batteries so if you want to send some specs or instructions i will send you my email i would appreciate it very much... but i will check reddit 1st before i dont have any other option
Thx mate...

It's really not a big deal ... I'm totally ok with people making their own (it wouldn't be cool of course if someone started making and selling them, but apart from that, I have no issues with it) I do it mainly as a service to the community, not a lot of money in it (I probably make more at my regular job as far as hourly wage by the time you account for communication, building them, and shipping them ). You can't use your existing VTC6 batteries unless you have a spot welder to weld the metal tabs on though. There is a supplier for the batteries out of the Netherlands, otherwise you need to get them from China (if you want them with tabs on already). Alternately, if there is a "battery shop" somewhere close to you, if you are in a major centre, then they might be able to spot weld the tabs on for you. You can buy a spot welder for about $150 as well, they aren't overly expensive (but if you are just doing a handful of batteries I can't see it being worth it)

First part of the battle for you will be getting the batteries with u-tabs, once you get that far, the rest will be a piece of cake (or if you're getting someone to weld on the tabs, they might be able to de-solder and re-solder the wiring harness from the exiting battery onto the new one for you as well)

Hello
Just for inforamtion I received my new crafty with the firmware 2.60 I saw it recently.
JCat thanks for the help given. I had a question concerning "heat sink clamps to ensure the heat doesn't make it to the battery terminals." Do you say that the furnace heat goes to electronic and to the battery ?
Do you think that the mods seen in old posts with battery changeable need heat sink clamps too ?
Thanks
Have a good day

I'm talking about when you are doing the soldering. You use the heat sink between the soldering iron and the battery (clamped onto the tabs) so that they pull the heat away from the battery terminal as they absorb it before it moves on. It's not a permanent thing ... just something you should do when soldering onto battery tabs to be prudent and to ensure you don't damage your battery. If you're good with an iron and have at least a 40W one, it's not necessary, as if you're fast you'll prevent the heat from traveling, but it's nonetheless a good precaution

 

[elmomuzz]

My 2.04 crafty with 55 hours has been pretty tired so I finally decided to replace the battery. I saw JCat recommended the VTC6 so I got two of them from amazon.

While I had it apart I cleaned the heater core in alcohol. It's a pretty cool design. This is the first time I have actually seen it.

And now it's back together and charging. I'm excited to use it.


*edit* Wow it heats up fast!!

 

[danimw]

Hi all,

so I basically did the same as elmomuzz a few months ago, also VTC6. At this point my Crafty had around 200 hours, now its at 280 but I am having the issue that its turning off while heating, it does happen more when the battery is full (higher currents), once battery is below half charge it does no longet happen. Any idea?

FW 2.1

 

[Haunts]

I have my first Crafty inbound, I have a couple of questions for when it arrives.
1. Do I need to do a burn off?
2. Do I need to clean the CU and oven with iso?
3. Do I need to fully charge the battery first or should I drain it, then do a full charge?

 

[JCat]

My 2.04 crafty with 55 hours has been pretty tired so I finally decided to replace the battery. I saw JCat recommended the VTC6 so I got two of them from amazon.

While I had it apart I cleaned the heater core in alcohol. It's a pretty cool design. This is the first time I have actually seen it.

And now it's back together and charging. I'm excited to use it.


*edit* Wow it heats up fast!!

Awesome job

Just want to mention that you REALLY should not be soldering directly onto these batteries though ... super dangerous (I wouldn't do it). You really do need a spot welder for this to be safe while doing it, and to be sure that the end product is safe (and that you haven't compromised some of the plastic under that cap).

If you don't have access to a spot welder, there is a supplier out of the Netherlands (NKON) that produces the batteries w/ the u-tabs for a small fee. Shipping is pretty steep if you only want 1 or 2 batteries, but better than having a vaporizer blow up in your face

 

[karec]

I have my first Crafty inbound, I have a couple of questions for when it arrives.
1. Do I need to do a burn off?
2. Do I need to clean the CU and oven with iso?
3. Do I need to fully charge the battery first or should I drain it, then do a full charge?

u dont need but its advised to do it with every unit including the crafty

 

[elmomuzz]

Awesome job

Just want to mention that you REALLY should not be soldering directly onto these batteries though ... super dangerous (I wouldn't do it). You really do need a spot welder for this to be safe while doing it, and to be sure that the end product is safe (and that you haven't compromised some of the plastic under that cap).

If you don't have access to a spot welder, there is a supplier out of the Netherlands (NKON) that produces the batteries w/ the u-tabs for a small fee. Shipping is pretty steep if you only want 1 or 2 batteries, but better than having a vaporizer blow up in your face

I’ve been soldering directly to batteries like this for a long time with zero issues. It just requires the proper technique. It actually provides a better connection then welding.

 

[JCat]

I’ve been soldering directly to batteries like this for a long time with zero issues. It just requires the proper technique. It actually provides a better connection then welding.

I know it’s possible ... and if done properly will generally be successful, but that doesn’t make it safe (and definitely not safe to recommend others do?)

Anyways ... like I said in the original response ... awesome job ... but personally, I wouldn’t solder to batteries for both the small personal risk and the risk of damaging the cell.

I’ve been using my mitre saw without a real dangerous situation occurring for 20 years ... the other day a small piece grabbed funny and sucked up into the blade and guard and snapped some pieces on the saw and the blade lost a bunch of carbide teeth ... good thing I was using hold downs to keep my hands out of the way, and wearing safety goggles, and didn’t just do it quickly with small risk , as this time unlike the thousand of other times, I would have lost fingers.

 

[elmomuzz]

I never recommended anyone else do it. I developed my technique over time with a lot of experience. Lithium batteries can be very dangerous.

But I can do it and my finished cell is no more dangerous to charge and discharge then a new cell. To suggest otherwise without examining and testing it would be an unfair evaluation.

 

[JCat]

I never recommended anyone else do it. I developed my technique over time with a lot of experience. Lithium batteries can be very dangerous.

But I can do it and my finished cell is no more dangerous to charge and discharge then a new cell. To suggest otherwise without examining and testing it would be an unfair evaluation.

Didn't mean to suggest anything ... just rambling out loud and by no means do I mean to offend (I also didn't want to be misunderstood as trying to discourage people from doing their own because I sell them ... all the more power to you if you can do it yourself which is why I provided the vendor to purchase the batteries w/ tabs already on ... also why I've provided the instructions and help when asked and sometimes when not asked ... )

Just when I saw that your batteries were soldered directly I voiced aloud (both to you and to others reading these forums) my concerns over that in regards to safety; ultimately everyone makes there own choices and I would never presume to tell anyone what to do ... again ... sorry if I offended in any way ... just healthy discussion and observations

Edit: and I didn't mean to suggest that you recommended others do it ... but you know the Internet ... as soon as someone reads about something they go ahead and do it ... someone reading this thread may not be very good with a soldering iron, may not do additional research in regards to safety, and might just go ahead and do it; this is all I am trying to prevent by throwing in my 2 cents

 

[elmomuzz]

Hey that’s cool.

I guess I should throw in my .02 as well. The spot welders you mention a few posts up are a poor choice for these connections. Like their name implies they welds tiny spots with very little surface area for the current to flow. It is a point of resistance and will heat up during hard discharge. Not optimal. I would hate to see someone waste their money on one for this purpose.

 

[Vaping Daddy]

a crafty with changeable batteries is a game changer, i think we all know what storz and bickel need to do next

 

[b0]

a crafty with changeable batteries is a game changer, i think we all know what storz and bickel need to do next

The day they do this, I'm buying one for sure

 

[cloudsosmoke]

Green Weekend at S&B
20% off everything
April 20-22

From IG
https://instagram.com/p/BhrMgf8Hlx4/

 

[jdent3]

Is there a general consensus on whether the reliability of the Crafty has improved with the new 20% battery life units? Thinking of picking one up but I already have a Mighty so not sure if it worth it. Has anyone with a new unit had theirs fail?

 

[vapen00b]

10 hrs in, no problems yet - I expect it to last quite a while... Let's see

 

[dzoinp]

10 hrs in, no problems yet - I expect it to last quite a while... Let's see

How many sessions with a full battery?

 

[vapen00b]

How many sessions with a full battery?

Wew, that's really depending on usage style.. 3-4 or 3-5 or even 3.5.
Being mostly on 180 and 200 boost. Sometimes 190 boost, sometimes max temp boost.
Not too precise but hope this helps though

 

[dave123]

Crafty or Mighty?

 

[Mr. Me2]

Crafty or Mighty?

Crafty is better solo or lighter use. And it stands on its own. Mighty has better battery life so is better for a heavier user. But it needs a stand. Not a big deal, but you should know.

Happy shopping!!

 

[dave123]

IS there any difference in bowl size or vapour production?

Can the Mighty use the phone app?

 

[Mr. Me2]

IS there any difference in bowl size or vapour production?

Can the Mighty use the phone app?

I don't have both (crafty for me), so can't answer for certain, but I believe the output is the same or really close. I believe the oven size is the same.

Only the Crafty uses an app. The Mighty is self contained (some people prefer that)

 

[karec]

Is there a general consensus on whether the reliability of the Crafty has improved with the new 20% battery life units? Thinking of picking one up but I already have a Mighty so not sure if it worth it. Has anyone with a new unit had theirs fail?

No the only consensus is +20%battery and some plastic upgrades to the body... the reliability of the crafty is because of the failure rate and since S&B never were open about it... they didnt give the users any feedback of the update of this issue... the thermal fuse is one of the problems, check this forum for info or PM me. If i had a mighty i would never go to a crafty... its expensive and you are only buying a small version of the mighty...no more than 5sessions when new and quickly will go below 4 till u have almost a 1,2 session vape, without any replaceable batt they need new stuff and not updated versions for 3 year products....but still the performance is great for a portable... now you have a lot of new stuff for desktop, still they rock for portable but not for long i guess... price vs quality to start...

10 hrs in, no problems yet - I expect it to last quite a while... Let's see

Mate if you spend almost 300 euros i think it will last more than 10h... lets talk when it reach 150h, while inside warranty CS works great...in 26months (2 after warranty ended) i had 2 units both "died" with +- 150h and 13months, the 1st one was replaced by a new "upgraded" unit with no questions asked, the 2nd passed 2 months of warranty so they....only offer a discount on a new unit...no repair service. With some help i replaced the thermal fuse (2euro fuse) and works again... dont get me wrong you can find all types of different opinions about this.... just read about it.

IS there any difference in bowl size or vapour production?

Can the Mighty use the phone app?

No for both in my opinion, crafty only have app because dont have a way to change setting like the mighty.

@dave123 i have a crafty and i had some issues with S&B CS, i also have an IQ a EVO a Puffco plus and a Lynx, if i needed to add up a portable, i would go and see the haze square, the Argo and other ariser product like the Solo 2, Boundless Tera, Airvape X, etc
Getting a crafty will not add up anything to your experience since you have the mighty, only the size matters here...

Cheers

 

[dave123]

No the only consensus is +20%battery and some plastic upgrades to the body... the reliability of the crafty is because of the failure rate and since S&B never were open about it... they didnt give the users any feedback of the update of this issue... the thermal fuse is one of the problems, check this forum for info or PM me. If i had a mighty i would never go to a crafty... its expensive and you are only buying a small version of the mighty...no more than 5sessions when new and quickly will go below 4 till u have almost a 1,2 session vape, without any replaceable batt they need new stuff and not updated versions for 3 year products....but still the performance is great for a portable... now you have a lot of new stuff for desktop, still they rock for portable but not for long i guess... price vs quality to start...



Mate if you spend almost 300 euros i think it will last more than 10h... lets talk when it reach 150h, while inside warranty CS works great...in 26months (2 after warranty ended) i had 2 units both "died" with +- 150h and 13months, the 1st one was replaced by a new "upgraded" unit with no questions asked, the 2nd passed 2 months of warranty so they....only offer a discount on a new unit...no repair service. With some help i replaced the thermal fuse (2euro fuse) and works again... dont get me wrong you can find all types of different opinions about this.... just read about it.



No for both in my opinion, crafty only have app because dont have a way to change setting like the mighty.

@dave123 i have a crafty and i had some issues with S&B CS, i also have an IQ a EVO a Puffco plus and a Lynx, if i needed to add up a portable, i would go and see the haze square, the Argo and other ariser product like the Solo 2, Boundless Tera, Airvape X, etc
Getting a crafty will not add up anything to your experience since you have the mighty, only the size matters here...

Cheers

I don't have the mighty. I have an old classic arizer solo

Would it be worth the upgrade?

 

[karec]

I don't have the mighty. I have an old classic arizer solo

Would it be worth the upgrade?

Sorry thought u had the mighty, in terms of vapor quality yes, in terms of the device itself no unless you are willing to spend that money every 24months (im not saying this will happen only my experience...) i dont have any issue in the end result of the crafty, vapor quality, vapor production, hits you hard, its a great device, but if you read this thread (which i advise you to do it before thinking of getting one) you won't buy it, if you really want an S&B device and portable save more money and get a mighty.
The solo is a good device, with the Argo you will get a similar experience but does it worth it? dont know the Argo. How much is your budget? 420 is the time to get a vape...on demand or session vape, portable or desktop, yes a lot of stuff to think out lolololol crafty today is way to expensive....today i wouldn't spend more than 200€ in a portable unit i would go for a solid desktop (since i vape 90% @ home) and a Spirit or starry2 under 100€, i would wait for more reviews from the Haze square, Argo, Tera and Airvape X. If u only have 1 unit i would go for the mighty....or the MV1 (never try it so will depend on the experience lolol)
Cheers